A major frustration of pet owners is that their pets can't speak. Pets are dependent on their owners to observe their discomfort and speak for them. A painful yet treatable condition such as bladder stones in dogs can, with the proper veterinary treatment, be alleviated quickly by an alert owner. The owner, however, must not only get his pet treated, but also be responsible for necessary follow-up care to prevent a relapse.
-
The Diagnosis
-
Bladder stones occur most frequently in small young female dogs. Small stones, or mineral deposits, form in the dog's bladder and then get stuck in her urethra, making it impossible for her to urinate.
Treatments for bladder stones vary. Light cases involving small stones may be treated with antibiotics. Sometimes, catherization is necessary. Often, the only course of treatment is surgery to remove the stones. The best treatment for each case is determined by the vet--no one should take this responsibility in a home treatment; the dog is in severe discomfort, and should be treated professionally. But once the initial case has been cleared up, steps must be taken to prevent a recurrence.
Prevention
-
No one knows why, but when a dog has had bladder stones once, she is more likely to get them again. Therefore, a preventative diet is extremely important.
Leading pet experts recommend a variety of diets for a recovering dog. It is suggested that these diets be adhered to for the remainder of the pet's life to help keep the dog healthy.
Vets recommend insuring that the dog drinks plenty of water so that the liquid flushes out the system. Some owners have found it advisable to switch to feeding wet food to the dog, as this increases the dog's liquid content in its system. Prepared wet food (canned dog food) also tends to be nutritionally balanced, a positive factor in keeping the dog healthy and the minerals balanced in its system.
Many vets suggest keeping a supply of apple cider vinegar on hand, and dousing the dog's food with it whenever the first sign of a recurrence of the problem surfaces. An alert owner can spot the early signs of bladder stones in a dog--difficulty urinating, blood in the urine, and lethargy in an otherwise active dog. Rebalancing the acids in the dog's stomach and intestines with apple cider vinegar may forstall a more serious case of bladder stones.
Finally, vets suggest increasing the calcium intake of dogs. Few dogs will turn their noses up at a nice dish of milk, and it's not only a nice treat for the dog, it can help prevent another case of bladder stones in a dog already prone to this condition.
Bladder stones in dogs are common, and are treatable. Prevention, however, is the key, and with proper diet, outbreaks can be prevented by caring and alert owners.
-