What is Urinary Tract Obstruction?
A urinary tract obstruction is typically caused by stones in the urethra. A partial or full blockage results in difficulty urinating, which may lead to dangerously high levels of potassium and other conditions. This is more common in male dogs, though it may occur in female dogs as well. All cases of obstruction need to be treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible to reestablish urine flow.
When a stone forms or is carried into the urinary tract, it may block the flow of urine. If your dog is straining to urinate, see a veterinarian immediately, as a full blockage is a serious condition that needs to be treated right away to prevent permanent damage or death.Urinary Tract Obstruction Average Cost
From 16 quotes ranging from $400 - $4,500
Average Cost
$1,200
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.
Symptoms of Urinary Tract Obstruction in Dogs
If your dog is suffering from a urinary tract obstruction, he or she may exhibit a range of symptoms, including:
- Difficulty urinating
- More frequent bathroom trips
- Bloody urine
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Pain
Your dog may be more prone to accidents in the house, and when he or she does urinate, the amount will be small and appear as a thin stream.
Causes of Urinary Tract Obstruction in Dogs
A urinary tract obstruction is typically caused by a stone lodging in the urethra, narrowing the tube through which urine passes. These stones may either form in the urinary tract or be carried out from the bladder. Tumors, inflammation, and disease of the prostate gland may also result in an obstruction in the urinary tract.
Though these obstructions can occur in both male and female dogs, it is more prevalent in the former and result in more severe illness due to the males’ long, narrow urethras. Any stone that passes through has a higher likelihood of lodging and creating a full obstruction.
Diagnosis of Urinary Tract Obstruction in Dogs
If you notice your dog straining to urinate, or if you find blood in your dog’s urine, visit the veterinarian immediately. The veterinarian will palpate your dog’s bladder and urethra and perform a rectal examination, which may reveal stones in the bladder or urinary tract or an enlarged prostate in male dogs. Other diagnostic tests that may help identify the obstruction include:
- Urinalysis
- Urine culture
- Blood test
- X-rays
- Ultrasound
- Biopsy of tissue from the urinary tract
Imaging can help discover suspicious masses, such as bladder stones or tumors, while blood work and urinalysis test electrolyte and kidney values and reveal bacteria or crystals. By performing a variety of tests, your veterinarian can both discover the source of the obstruction and establish the extent of the damage to other areas. An inability to urinate may lead to infection, elevated potassium levels, and kidney damage, all of which will need to be addressed as part of your dog’s treatment.
Treatment of Urinary Tract Obstruction in Dogs
Depending on the extent of the blockage, your dog may need to be hospitalized until urine flow has been reestablished. This is typically accomplished by inserting a catheter into the urethra to drain urine and by flushing the stones back into the bladder. If the obstruction cannot be removed with this method, surgery may be required.
The urinary tract obstruction itself is not a disease but rather a symptom of another condition, such as bladder stones or cancer, which will need to be addressed to prevent future blockage.
Medical Management
Once the stone has been flushed into the bladder, it can be dissolved through a combination of drugs and a prescription diet. Certain foods may soften the stone enough for it to pass through the urethra successfully. Fluid therapy prevents your dog from becoming dehydrated while moving waste and toxins out of the bloodstream more quickly.
Surgical Treatment
For male dogs with an enlarged prostate, castration is standard in order to reduce the prostate’s size. Surgery may also be necessary to remove the stones from the bladder or urethra if they cannot be broken up by ultrasonic waves or dissolved by less invasive means.
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.
Recovery of Urinary Tract Obstruction in Dogs
Once the obstruction has been removed and your dog is able to pass urine normally again, you must ensure that your dog is receiving enough fluids in order to flush out accumulated waste. Monitor your dog’s urination frequency and amount, and check for blood in the urine. Administer any prescribed medication according to your veterinarian’s instructions, and provide your dog with easy access to clean, fresh water.
If your dog underwent surgery as part of the treatment process, you will need to restrict physical activity and enforce plenty of rest until the surgical site has healed. You may need to bring your dog back to your veterinarian for follow-up exams to ensure that the stone has dissolved and that the obstruction has not returned.
Urinary Tract Obstruction Average Cost
From 16 quotes ranging from $400 - $4,500
Average Cost
$1,200
Top
Urinary Tract Obstruction Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Lhasa Apso
Blackie
11 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood In The
My dog is almost 11yrs old and she is a Lhasa apso. She was urinating blood a feed days earlier and we had an X-ray done. The doctor said there is a blockage in her vagina that’s causing the obstruction of urine we had her urine taken out with the help of injections but the doctor said the only treatment is through surgery. Is it risky for her to undergo surgery because of her age?
Nov. 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
Whilst eleven is old for surgery on a Lhasa Apso, it isn’t too old and as long as she is in relatively good health otherwise and has good liver and kidney values there is little to be worried about. If your Veterinarian passes her for surgery, it means they are pretty confident that everything is going to go well. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Nov. 26, 2017
Was this question and answer helpful?
American Eskimo
Leia
10 Years+
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
Our dog has bladder stones (a lot) and has been able to pass the stones on her own in the past, but I think we have a blockage. She is not able to pass urine and we can tell she's in pain. Vomiting present yesterday. She will drink but not eat. The last urine we saw was cloudy. We have tried the special diet and were prescribed anti inflammatories. She refuses to eat the food! She's an older dog, a rescue, so we don't know her exact age 10+. We have had her 9 years and worried the trauma of surgery would be bad for her and costly.
Sept. 25, 2017
1 Recommendations
It is true that surgery in an older dog is more risky, but at times it is still the best course of action if management doesn’t work. A decision to operate would need to be discussed with your Veterinarian and preanaesthetic blood tests along with a physical examine will determine her suitability for surgery. Dietary changes and the use of supplements (for some types of stones) may help but sometimes surgery is indicated; I wouldn’t wait too long to do the surgery as urination will be painful and she runs a risk of a ruptured bladder is there is an obstruction. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Sept. 25, 2017
Thank you. She's in surgery now. There was a large blockage and the vet reassured us that she's healthy outside this issue.
Sept. 25, 2017
Leia's Owner
Was this question and answer helpful?
Staffordshire Terrier
hannah
4 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
She Lost Weight
Hi... I have a 4 years old female staffie. End of January she had a surgery to remove tumour from her mouth. A month ago she had blood analysis because she urinated while sleeping.
BUN 13 CA <1.00 CRE 190 K+ >12 TP 89 GLOB 66. So we start diet,medicines etc. Yesterday we went for new analysis to see how her kidney are. So.....
ALB21 AMYL 1360 BUN 9.5 CRE 198 TP 92 CA 2.53 K+ 5
I don't know,I feel like something go wrong.
July 26, 2017
1 Recommendations
From the biochemistry values you have supplied I am assuming that they are in SI units and not the conventional units used in the USA. The blood biochemistry results are indicative of kidney inflammation. The cause for the kidney trouble needs to be determined; ultrasound of the kidneys would allow for visualization of the structure of the kidney and cytology may indicate the type of inflammation. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
Was this question and answer helpful?
Saint Bernard
Gracie
9 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Restless Needing To Go Outside To Pee
I believe my female St Bernard Gracie has a urinary track partial obstruction. She is very antsy and is constantly asking to go outside where she immediately pees but not a whole lot. If walked around a bit, she squats fairly often - not always getting any pee out. Just now while I was sleeping, I woke to find a couple small wet spots with her needing to got out badly - where she peed a below average amount. If this is a stone, how likely will it pass by itself? I'd love to be able to provide her with the utmost care! I know your site sells treatment financing but believe me, I would not be approved.
July 26, 2017
1 Recommendations
It would be best to have a urinary test performed to determine the type of the stones present (if the problem is stones, could be infection or another cause). The urinary test would detect bacteria and microscopy will detect crystals which would give an indication to the possible types of stone present which will allow you to make dietary changes which should help and if there is an infection antibiotics would be prescribed. This would be cheaper than x-rays etc… Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
Thank you Callum. This all started abruptly yesterday afternoon. I'll keep an eye on her, especially if she is passing urine or not, today. I'll be quick to get her to the vet if I see anything that makes me think she is totally blocked. She usually has a bladder that seems to hold enough for days! I feel so bad for her!
July 26, 2017
Gracie's Owner
Was this question and answer helpful?
Urinary Tract Obstruction Average Cost
From 16 quotes ranging from $400 - $4,500
Average Cost
$1,200
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.
