Dog Kidney Stones

Dog Kidney Stones

If your dog urinates frequently with or without blood, the problem may be the presence of calculi or stones. These stones are rarely in the kidneys and most commonly found in the urinary bladder; they are not to be confused with gallstones which are in the gallbladder. Salts in the urine that normally remain in solution precipitate on clumps of bacteria and may grow to over three inches in diameter in the bladder. A dog of normal weight, can be diagnosed by palpation by your veterinarian. X-rays are necessary for an overweight pet with small stones.

The problem can be more complicated in males. Small stones may lodge in the urethra at the bone of the penis called the os penis. Surgery corrects the immediate problem. The recovered stones are reanalyzed and special diets with medication may prevent a repetition of the problem.

Kidney stones may require the removal of the affected kidney. Dogs survive well with one healthy kidney.

The following are the causes that are responsible for the development of dog kidney stones.

Dog Kidney Stones

• Kidney stones may develop due to the incidence of any underlying infection in the kidney. The occurrence of urinary tract infections for a prolonged period may also lead to the formation of stones.
• In some cases, dogs get prone to kidney stones due to genetic defects.
• The dog also develops stones in the kidneys due to the intake of certain food items as their daily diet. Consumption of some dietary supplements may also result in kidney stones.
• Consumption of certain medicines that are taken for treating any form of the underlying disease may also lead to the development of stone kidney disease in your dog.
• Successive attacks of diseases especially urine-related diseases are often the cause of kidney stones.

Even though kidney stones can occur in dogs of any age but studies have shown that middle-aged dogs are more prone to the disease compared to dogs of young or old age. Further studies have also shown that female dogs are more prone to the disease than male dogs.

The following are the ways of diagnosing kidney stone disease.

Dog Kidney stone Diagnosis

• The complete blood count or CBC of the affected dog is taken.
• A biochemical profile is also closely studied.
• Urinalysis is also done.
• Bacterial urine culture is also carried out.
• Radiographs or X-ray plates are also taken
• Abdominal ultrasound along with excretory urography is also done.

You are recommended to take your dog to a good vet clinic immediately the moment you suspect your dog to be suffering from the disease. If you find that your dog is excreting bloody urine, suffering from severe abdominal pain, consequent attacks of kidney or urinary infections, and showing up the tendency of vomiting you are advised to take your dog to a vet clinic for a kidney stone check-up. As a home remedy, you may consult with the vet doctor to provide your dog with a daily diet that is stone-dissolving in nature.

See more: Dog Liver Disease