Severe cases of bladder stones in dogs are commonly resolved through surgery.
However, at other times, dietary modification is an adequate solution for this health issue. The changes will depend on the type of stone present in the bladder.
In this article, we will walk you through the appropriate nutritional management strategies that best suit dogs with bladder stone problems.
Struvite Bladder Stones in Dogs
The formation of struvite bladder stones in dogs is often linked with urinary tract infections.
Urease-producing bacteria tend to be the main culprit of this condition. They cause the urine of affected canines to become very concentrated and have high alkaline levels.
Fortunately, struvite crystals can be dissolved through a special diet. Since these stones are usually made up of magnesium ammonium phosphate, the type of pet food recommended will contain limited amounts of protein, phosphorus, and magnesium.
Moreover, it is specifically designed to dilute urine and help increase its acid pH level to no less than 6.5. Increased water intake is also crucial for breaking down struvite bladder stones in dogs because it diminishes the urine’s concentration.
Dissolving the crystals typically takes around 2 to 3 months. The veterinarian will likely advise pawrents to continue feeding their pooch the special diet until struvite stones do not show up in the X-rays.
Calcium Oxalate Bladder Stones in Dogs
Experts are yet to uncover the root cause of calcium oxalate crystals. However, they theorized that excessive amounts of calcium, citrate, and oxalate in the urine trigger this type of stone formation.
Certain dog breeds like Bichon Frise, Miniature Schnauzer, and Yorkshire Terrier have it as a genetic predisposition.
Their bodies are unable to produce enough nephrocalcin, which is an acidic glycoprotein that hinders calcium oxalate stones from developing.
Unlike struvite crystals, surgical removal is the only way to get rid of them. However, diet plays a crucial role in preventing this renal issue from reoccurring.
Here are some of the most common dietary recommendations for canines with calcium oxalate stones:
- Go for a special diet with low concentrations of animal protein and sodium. It keeps urine acidity, concentration, and calcium levels in check.
- A canned or wet food diet is ideal as it helps increase water intake, which aids in urine dilution.
- Avoid giving your dog calcium supplements without the veterinarian’s approval. Otherwise, it will hasten the formation of calcium oxalate bladder stones in dogs.
- Feeding affected dogs with table scraps is highly discouraged to prevent the ingestion of high-oxalate food like spinach, green beans, beets, Swiss chard, potatoes, and raspberries.
- Only share low-oxalate food with dogs. Some good options are bananas, cabbage, cauliflower, chicken, eggs, and turkey.
Urate Bladder Stones in Dogs
Some breeds like the Dalmatian and English Bulldog have an increased risk of developing urate crystals due to a genetic defect. Their bodies do not metabolize uric acid properly, causing the substance to form into clumps.
A hepatic disease called portosystemic shunt may also lead canines to have urate stones in their bladder.
In most cases, a dietary change is enough to resolve this type of crystal formation.
Many protein sources in pet food have high purine content, which is a major contributor to the development of urate stones. Thus, the ideal special diet should have limited amounts of protein.
Moreover, the ingredients must be low in purines, such as eggs, cheese, and sweet potatoes. Protein sources like organ meats, tuna, sardines, and chickpeas should be avoided due to their high purine content.
Affected pets also need a regular supply of fresh water for better hydration to dilute urine and reduce its concentration.
Cysteine Bladder Stones in Dogs
Cysteine stones are more likely to occur in some dogs than others because of genetic abnormality.
Breeds such as the Australian Cattle Dog, Labrador Retriever, and Newfoundland are susceptible to it since they cannot absorb cysteine amino acids from the kidneys.
The sulfuric-amino acid methionine acts as one of the precursors of cysteine stones. It is commonly found in many protein sources like soy, turkey, pork, and fish.
For this reason, special diets formulated for dogs with cysteine bladder stones have lower protein content.
High-sodium intake can exacerbate the formation of cysteine bladder stones in dogs because it induces water retention.
Thus, the salt concentration in the diet is reduced as well. Always make sure that affected canines drink enough liquid. Hydration aids in flushing the bladder of impurities.
FAQs About Bladder Stones in Dogs
1. Are Dogs with Bladder Stones in Pain?
Dogs with bladder stones may experience pain and discomfort, particularly when they attempt to urinate. As a result, they will try to hold in their pee, which can lead to more urinary issues like UTIs.
2. How to Dissolve Bladder Stones in Dogs?
Dissolve bladder stones in dogs by providing the right diet, which will largely depend on the type of crystal in the bladder.
For instance, pets with urate stones need to limit their intake of purine, which can be found in many protein sources. Special diets formulated for their condition will have low protein content to reduce the risk of urate crystal formation.
Take note that dietary modification is not always the answer to eliminating bladder stones. However, it can help in preventing crystals from forming again.
3. How Long Do Bladder Stones Last in Dogs?
With the right treatment, bladder stones can last anywhere between 2 weeks and 3 months in dogs. Know that they tend to reoccur once dissolved or surgically removed.
Hence, dogs that have recovered from their condition must be checked by the veterinarian every 3 to 6 months, especially if they are predisposed to bladder stones.
Never ignore this condition as it can result in life-threatening outcomes. Bladder stones in dogs may clump together and block the urinary tract. If not removed immediately, it can cause the bladder to rupture.
4. Can Water Cause Bladder Stones in Dogs?
There is no hard proof that water can cause bladder stones in dogs. However, intake of hard water, which has high mineral content like magnesium and calcium, can worsen this renal problem.
Water softener can help reduce the water’s hardness but increases sodium level. Do not use it if your furry pal is under a salt-restricted diet. Another alternative is to use a water filter or give your pooch distilled water instead.
Conclusion
Bladder stones in dogs can cause serious problems if not given proper treatment. Mild cases of this condition are usually solved by making the right dietary adjustments, which dissolve the crystals.
While this type of treatment does not work on certain types of bladder stones, diet still plays an important role in preventing crystals from reoccurring. Thus, do not neglect this aspect of your pet’s life when tailoring a treatment regimen for him.
