- Home
- Dog Conditions
- Urinary Tract / Kidney Stones (Cystine) in Dogs
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
- Increased urgency in urinating
- Urinating in unusual places
- Straining when urinating
- Painful urination
- Irregular urine flow, often a little at a time
- Blood or pus in the urine
- Cloudy or odd-smelling urine
- Frequent licking of genitals
- Uncomfortable pacing or panting
- Fever
- Malaise or restlessness
- Crying or whimpering
- Vomiting
- Struvite bladder stones are comprised of magnesium ammonium phosphate.
- Chemical compounds, such as cystine, calcium phosphate, calcium oxalate, and ammonium urate make up other bladder and kidney stones.
- Often, stones found in the bladder and kidneys are composed of a mixture of the chemical compounds above.
- Different breeds are susceptible to different types of stones, made up of different chemical compounds.
- Genetics
- Amount of minerals in the diet
- Volume of water the dog drinks daily
- Quantity of protein in the diet
- The dog’s urine acidity or alkalinity (affected by diet)
- Infections caused by bacteria in the bladder
- Urohydropropulsion is a non-surgical method of flushing out the bladder stones using a special catheter. This method is successfully accomplished only when the stones are very small. Oftentimes, with very tiny stones, the veterinarian will use a cystoscope to remove the stones by inserting it through the urethra and into the bladder. Both of these methods can also be used to collect a stone to sample in a laboratory, and to further determine treatment options, such as changing the dog’s diet to help the stones dissolve (dietary dissolution).
- If the stones are large and cannot be removed non-surgically, then surgical removal may be performed. This option may be decided upon if there are too many stones, or if there is any obstruction or risk of obstruction. This quick method of getting rid of the stones does have risks, such as in canines who have other health impairments or may react negatively to anesthesia. In surgery, the bladder is opened up and the stones are removed. There are times when surgery is the only option in order to save the life of the dog, such as if the dog has a blocked urethra, as this can be fatal.
- Ultrasonic dissolution is an effective method ofn treating bladder and kidney stones. This technique uses ultrasonic waves at a high frequency to break the stones apart. Once the stones are broken into very small pieces, they can come out of the bladder much easier and much less painfully. This may be an ideal option for many dogs, as it is non-surgical and has immediate results.
Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?
Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.
10 found this helpful
10 found this helpful
6 found this helpful
6 found this helpful
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
