Your dog̵7;s kidneys filter and remove waste from her body. Normally, mineral salts are filtered out in liquid form and passed from the body in urine. Underlying bladder or urinary tract infections, genetic predisposition or dietary imbalances can create an environment that decreases the solubility of these minerals. The minerals form crystals, which can grow into stones. Stones and crystals can form anywhere in the urinary system and subsequently irritate the lining of the urinary tract. Symptoms in include painful urination, bloody urine and pain in the abdominal area.
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Diet
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After a diagnostic examination during which your veterinarian may use abdominal palpitation, urinalysis, urine culture and radiographs, the doctor may prescribe a special stone-dissolving diet. These prepared formulas contain reduced amounts of certain minerals and proteins, reducing the ̶0;building blocks̶1; that lead to stones in the urine. Additionally, these special formulations alter the pH of the urine to make it less likely to produce stones and help to flush the urinary tract by producing more urine.
It̵7;s important that your dog stay on this diet̵2;with no exceptions, not even treats̵2;for the prescribed period. Do not give your dog meat or animal protein, supplements or vegetables.
Usually, symptoms such as pain and straining will start to resolve after seven to 10 days. Keep your dog on the prescription diet according to the advice of your veterinarian.
Procedures
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In some cases, surgery will be required to remove the stones. Before the development of prescription diets, this was the only cure for bladder and kidney stones. Fortunately, most dogs respond to dietary treatment, making surgery unnecessary. In some cases, however, surgery is still the treatment of choice.
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is an alternative to surgery, but it is not widely available. Stones are destroyed with shock waves̵2;the process is non-invasive̵2;and the fragments flush out of the system in the urine.
Caution: Crystals and stones can completely block the urinary tract, and this is an emergency situation. Your veterinarian will catheterize your dog and drain the bladder before deciding upon an appropriate treatment.
Urinary Tract Health
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Preventing urinary tract infections helps to reduce the recurrence of kidney stones. Give your dog frequent walks̵2;the more frequently he urinates, the better. Allowing urine to accumulate in the bladder encourages bacterial growth.
Provide unlimited water; filtered if possible. To encourage fluid intake, add some unsalted chicken broth or water to dry kibble.
Regularly schedule veterinary visits for urine cultures and tests. Your veterinarian can help you design a feeding program that supports the kidneys and overall urinary tract health.
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