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Bladder stones (also called uroliths) are rock-like formations of minerals/crystals that develop in the urinary bladder. There may be a large, single stone or a collection of stones that range in size from sand-like grains to gravel. Many times, there is a mixture of both large and small stones present. All stones form because of disease or inflammation in the bladder.
Dogs can present with blood in their urine, in frequent urination, and straining to urinate. If your dog or cat has been showing any of these signs, they need to be seen by a vet.
The first thing we would do is test a urine sample in practice. We do a dipstick to check for any urine, protein, and what level of ph the blood is. We check the concentration by using a refractometer, and then we spin the urine down and check under a microscope for any crystals.
Depending on the urine results and the vet’s examination, we may advise x-rays or an ultrasound scan. X-rays are the better option, as you can see very clearly if there is a stone in the bladder.
Bladder stones can be quite big and cannot pass through the urethra, causing the urinary blockage. These cases need to have surgery to have the stones removed.
We send all samples to an external lab called the Minnesota Urolith Center. They test all samples and diagnose what kind of urinary stone it is. We recently had a dog that had to undergo surgery to have multiple tiny stones removed from his bladder. We sent all the urinary stones to the lab, and they confirmed it was a stone called Struvite.
Struvite is the most common type of bladder stone seen in dogs, especially in females. In dogs, struvite stones are typically caused by UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections) from a specific type of bacteria. Struvite crystals form when the pH of urine becomes more alkaline and concentrated.
The lab advised us for postoperative care for the animal to bring in a fresh urine sample every 1 to 3 months to be tested in house using a dipstick, refractometer, and checking under the microscope. They also advise us on specific diets; for example, in this case, they advised a diet with low phosphorus or magnesium, as this helps to promote acidic urine.
If you notice your pet straining, passing blood, or not urinating at all, please call us for an appointment, as if left untreated, it can be a very serious medical emergency.
