Kidney stones in dogs
There are many reasons why kidney stones in dogs form. The type that they develop will ultimately be decided by the cause. These stones usually do not represent too much since they are usually really small. No signs of pain are seen in the dog. So, why are kidney stones in dogs important? Should you be worried if you discover that your dog has them?
What causes kidney stones in dogs?
The proper term for kidney stones is nephrolithiasis. As mentioned above, there are several causes for the formation of the stones. Basically, when there is an oversaturation of stone-forming material in the dog’s urine, uroliths develop. Other causes can include a high level of calcium in blood and urine, some urinary tract infections, and some diets that produce alkaline (high pH) urine.
Symptoms of kidney stones in dogs
There is no way to tell when a dog has nephrolithiasis. In fact, the stones are usually detected during a different procedure where they are accidentally found. This is what we call an “incident finding”.
Usually, if the stones are small, they will go undetected and the dog will not suffer any pain at all.
During its advanced stage, some symptoms that might be seen in patients are:
- Blood in urine
- Frequent urination
- Difficult urination
- Painful urination
- Constant urinary infection
There are other symptoms that will depend on the type of kidney stones parked there.
Treatment and prevention
During the early stages, dogs are sent back home with prescription medicine to get the stones removed by them. In the case of advanced stages, stones might need to be removed surgically. The best prevention for kidney stones is a proper diet. Consult with your veterinarian which is the best course of action.
In Dogalize we also have plenty of resources for you to take a look at. Because we know how much you care for your pet, we have a ton of info and very useful tools for you to be the owner your dog deserves.