Causes of formation of urinary stones

To put it simply, [urinary stones] are stones formed in the bladder and urinary system. This is because during the process of making urine, the dog's body will excrete ions and minerals from the body through the function of the kidneys. However, because the ions, minerals and water will stay in the bladder for a period of time, they will need to be maintained at the appropriate pH level. Next, these excreted wastes will first form a crystalline substance. When the crystals combine with each other and become larger and larger, they will begin to turn into stones and accumulate in the body.

There are many components of stones, the most common ones are calcium oxalate, struviting stone and uric acid stone. There are many factors that cause stones to form. As an owner, the first thing you need to pay attention to is your dog's urinary tract hygiene, because bacteria can grow in the bladder and change the acid-base of urine. When urine reaches a pH value suitable for mineral binding, crystals will begin to form.

Typical symptoms of urinary stones in dogs

Stones will not cause any complications until they interfere with urination. It is important to be familiar with the symptoms of urinary stones, including: blood in urine, pain during urination, Urinating more frequently, urinating less, and licking the genitals more than usual. Blood in the urine is caused by stones irritating the fragile lining of the bladder, causing bleeding. When the sand-like stones are excreted in the urine, the already inflamed bladder will feel severe pain.

Owners also need to pay attention to:

1. If the dog frequently urinates with almost no urine; appears restless when urinating, squatting and turning in circles for a while, then Your dog may have urinary stones.

2. The dog expels a large amount of urine with great effort. It may be that the stone has just been excreted. You should check it immediately, pick it up and send it for laboratory examination (the stone is not completely excreted, it will recur).

3. Dogs that cannot urinate should be sent to the hospital immediately for treatment, because the blocked urethra will allow urine to flow back into its original system, leading to bladder rupture or kidney failure!

How to prevent the occurrence and recurrence of urinary stones

1. Pets should keep adequate drinking water and urination at all times to prevent the formation of most types of stones. You can add 1/4 teaspoon of salt per 500 ml of drinking water, which will stimulate your pet to drink a lot of water.

2. Eliminate urinary tract bacterial infections; take your pet to the hospital twice a year to check the genitals and urinary system.

3. Eat less grains and vegetables to prevent the urine from becoming alkaline and forming stones. This is why pets must eat pet food.

4. Calcium stones are currently the most common and most difficult type of stones to treat. This kind of stone, unlike ammonium phosphate, cannot be effectively controlled through diet, so once the disease occurs, surgery must be performed, and there is a risk of recurrence within a few years. thisThe formation of stones is related to excessive calcium intake, and is sometimes related to the sequelae of [heart disease] and [canine hyperadrenocorticism] (Cushing’s disease).

Supplementing a small amount of potassium (about 30 mg per kilogram of body weight) with daily diet, twice a day, can reduce the probability of calcium stone formation.

5. Eat less purine-containing foods.

Treatment methods for urinary stones

Many owners mistakenly believe that [blood in the urine] in dogs is a symptom of urinary stones, so they go online and buy a lot of nutritional supplements and medicines related to prevention and treatment. The result will naturally not be very effective!

The correct concept and approach is to take the dog to an animal hospital and ask a professional doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Because there are many factors that cause blood in dog urine, including not only urinary stones, but also bladder tumors, kidney bleeding, etc. In addition, in some cases that appear to be blood in urine but are not bleeding, it may just be the use of food containing pigments, and the color of the urine will look the same as hematuria.

In terms of treatment, therapy can be divided into two types: medical therapy and surgery. For medical treatment, the stones need to be removed surgically first, and then stone analysis can be performed. Once the composition of the stone has been determined, medical treatment can begin.

In terms of medical treatment, some dogs need urinary tract acidifiers, some need to choose special food, some need long-term antibiotic treatment, and some need to use diuretics to increase water drinking and urination, and to replace water with Only ionized distilled water or electrolyzed water will do. These are all methods that can reduce stone regeneration.