Pet Bladder Stones: Causes and Treatment

Among the most vital requirements for our family pet’s health and wellness is their meal, but it doesn’t stop there. We need to maintain a well-balanced diet to guarantee a quality of life, particularly in avoiding diseases like having a stone in the bladder that makes them suffer in pain from the moment it was acquired up to a possible advanced procedure if mistreated. Their dish is among the most effortless responsibilities we can do, yet one of the most dangerous to their health if disregarded.

What are pet bladder stones?

Pet bladder stones have the same idea as kidney stones for people. It is highly concentrated urine where minerals become stones that develop in their bladder. These stones are called “uroliths.” We can already tell how this could be so discomforting for our pets, especially if we haven’t observed it immediately.

Common Signs and Symptoms

One of the most evident signs is their constant peeing. You may notice a small amount of pee every now and then as it is so concentrated, and they feel pain every time they attempt to do so. You will most likely be bothered by how strong the smell of their urine is, especially when it comes out discolored or bloody. You will notice them licking their genital areas more often, which is their remedy for the discomfort and pain they’re feeling.

Causes

Apart from the common causes like bad diet, urinary tract infection, dehydration, too much phosphate, ammonium or magnesium in pee, congenital liver shunt, and whatnot, a dog’s bladder acquires different types of stone, which have various reasons. The urate bladder stones, xanthine bladder stones, cystine bladder stones, calcium oxalate bladder stones, and the most common is struvite stone which develops when phosphate and magnesium stick together. It isn’t bad for the health unless it gets infected and mixed into pee which raises the level of pH that leads to struvite crystals, the hazardous stones in their system.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis will include a thorough physical examination; your vet will check the pet’s belly for the pain around the gallbladder. Blood will be collected to check for liver changes, increased bilirubin, calcium, or cholesterol in the blood, and check for signs of inflammation or infection. Next will be x-rays to see if any stones are visible. Only about 50% of gallstones can show on x-rays.

There are three main treatment alternatives for bladder stones, first is surgical removal, which is typically the fastest way of treating bladder stones. However, it might not be the best treatment for patients with other health issues or whom general anesthesia could be dangerous. With this option, the stones will be removed by means of cystotomy by your veterinary surgeon Douglasville; it is a procedure to access and open the bladder to take out the stones.

Many veterinarians and pets routinely perform this surgical treatment and usually make a rapid postoperative recovery. If the stones obstruct the urethra, the pet won’t urinate anymore; in this case, emergency treatment is needed to save the pet’s life.

The second is non-surgical removal by uro hydro propulsion, and the third is dietary dissolution. The specific treatment recommended for your pet will depend on the kind of stone present. Your Douglasville veterinary doctor will discuss the pros and cons of each treatment option with you based on your pet’s situation.

Prevention

Enrolling your felines in a cat wellness plan is necessary to ensure that your pet would not experience this health problem; a wellness exam is a thorough examination of your pet’s health. It enables veterinarians to detect and treat any possible health problems and monitor your pet’s diet to guarantee they’re getting enough nutrients in everyday life.

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