Kidney stones can appear in middle-aged dogs and can be associated with heredity, the particular breed, and diet. Female dogs are slightly more likely to develop kidney stones than males.
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Features
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Symptoms of kidney stones include frequent urination with only a small amount of urine being dispelled. Blood in the urine is also a symptom.
Causes
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Kidney stones in dogs are not common and some breeds are more susceptible to their development. Miniature Schnauzers and Dalmatians are the breeds that seem to be diagnosed with kidney stones the most.
Significance
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Dalmatians have a gene that is responsible for creating high levels of uric acid, which causes them to be more susceptible to developing kidney stones, reported the American Veterinarian Medical Association in 2009.
Considerations
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Grain-free dog food with moderate levels of protein can help to stop the formation of kidney stones in the first place.
Warning
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When a dog displays any of the symptoms of possible kidney stones regardless of their breed, it needs to be examined thoroughly by a veterinarian so that treatment may begin.
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