Six Ways to Prevent Your Dog from Getting Kidney Stones
To flush out the stones from the kidneys and prevent the formation of new stones of all types, a diet high in moisture is recommended. Canned dog food should be fed instead of dry kibble, which contains high amounts of minerals. Chicken or beef broth can be added to canned food to increase the moisture content.
Kidney stones in dogs are common, especially in toy breeds and small terriers. Some affected breeds include the bichon frise, miniature poodle, Maltese, Chihuahua, Lhasa apso, Pomeranian, Yorkshire terrier, and Cairn terrier. In some dogs, bladder and kidney stones may become serious in just two days.
What Is the Treatment for Urinary Stones in Dogs? Bladder and kidney stones in dogs are usually surgically removed. Sometimes they are treated with interventional radiology, which is the technique used for stones in people. Your vet will use a scope to see the stone.
Medications or supplements can be prescribed to acidify the urine and aid in dissolving the stones. Medications may be prescribed to increase water intake in an attempt to dilute mineral salts in the urine. Antibiotics may be required to prevent urinary tract infection or treat a current infection.
Most dogs should be fed a canned or wet diet to encourage water consumption. Dilute urine with a low urine specific gravity (urine specific gravity or USpG less than 1.020) is an important part of the prevention of calcium oxalate bladder stones.
Kidney stones become dangerous when they grow too large or break apart, allowing smaller pieces to enter and get stuck in the dog's ureter—the corridor to the bladder, Clements says. That's when it can really hurt your dog—even causing death if not treated quickly and correctly.
Just like in humans, kidney stones in dogs can be painful to deal with. Many times, humans can pass kidney stones in their urine — it's a painful process but unlike some other medical complications, not necessarily a death sentence. With dogs, the experience is somewhat similar.
What can I do to prevent kidney failure in my dog?
Lower your animal protein intake Many sources of protein, such as red meat, pork, chicken, poultry, and eggs, increase the amount of uric acid you produce. Eating large amounts of protein also reduces a chemical in urine called citrate. Citrate's job is to prevent the formation of kidney stones.
CYSTOTOMY – Removal of Bladder Stones in Dogs and Cats – $800. A cystotomy is the medical term for opening the urinary bladder to remove either stones or a growth.
These stones can irritate the bladder lining and obstruct urine flow from the kidney to the bladder or from the bladder out of the body. Signs may include more frequent urination, blood in the urine, urinary accidents, or recurring urinary tract infections.