Bladder stones are mineral formations that develop inside the urinary bladder. They can range from tiny crystals to larger stones and can cause irritation, pain, difficulty urinating, and potentially dangerous urinary obstruction.
Understanding why bladder stones form can help dog owners recognize the warning signs.
What Causes Bladder Stones?
There isn’t one single cause of every bladder stone. Different types of stones form under different conditions.
1. Mineral Concentration in the Urine
Urine contains minerals and other substances that can form crystals.
When the concentration of certain minerals becomes high enough, crystals may develop and eventually combine into stones.
2. Urinary Tract Infections
Certain types of bacteria can contribute to the formation of some bladder stones.
Urinary infections can change the environment within the bladder and encourage crystal formation.
3. Genetics and Breed
Some breeds are more likely to develop particular types of urinary stones.
Genetic factors can influence how an individual dog’s body processes and excretes certain minerals.
4. Other Medical and Dietary Factors
A dog’s hydration, diet, metabolism, and other medical conditions can influence the risk of stone formation.
The specific type of stone matters because different stones have different causes and treatment considerations.
Signs of Bladder Stones
Possible signs include:
- Frequent urination
- Straining to urinate
- Blood in the urine
- Urinating small amounts
- Accidents in the house
- Licking the urinary area
- Pain or discomfort while urinating
Some dogs show few obvious symptoms until the stones become more problematic.
A Urinary Blockage Can Be an Emergency
A stone can potentially obstruct the flow of urine, particularly in male dogs because of the anatomy of the urethra.
A dog that is repeatedly trying to urinate but producing little or no urine needs prompt veterinary attention.
Complete urinary obstruction can become life-threatening.
How Are Bladder Stones Diagnosed?
Diagnosis may involve a combination of veterinary examination and diagnostic testing such as urinalysis and imaging.
Determining what type of stone is present can also be important when planning treatment and reducing the risk of recurrence.
When Is Surgery Necessary?
Some bladder stones can potentially be managed through non-surgical approaches depending on their type and the individual patient’s circumstances.
However, stones that require physical removal may be treated surgically through a procedure called a cystotomy.
During a cystotomy, the bladder is surgically opened so that the stones can be removed.
Bladder Stone Surgery at AZ Vet Direct
AZ Vet Direct provides surgical bladder stone removal when appropriate for the patient.
Our service is surgical. We do not provide non-surgical stone dissolution programs or minimally invasive stone-removal procedures such as laser or ultrasonic lithotripsy.
If your dog is experiencing urinary problems, your regular veterinarian can help determine the cause and whether surgical removal is appropriate.
The Bottom Line
Bladder stones can have several different causes, and treatment depends on the type and severity of the stones.
Pay particular attention to difficulty urinating. A dog that cannot urinate normally needs prompt veterinary attention because urinary obstruction can become an emergency.
