Bladder Stones in Dogs: Symptoms, Prevention, and More

Bladder stones in dogs are solid mineral formations that can vary in size and number.

Dogs with bladder stones have changes in urination, may have blood in their urine, and experience pain and discomfort.

Treatment depends on the type and severity of the stones. Some can be dissolved with a special diet, like Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary range of dog food, while others may require surgical removal.

If your dog is showing signs of bladder stones, it’s important to see a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

What Are Bladder Stones in Dogs?

Bladder stones in dogs are hard deposits of mineral that form within the urinary bladder.

They begin as tiny crystals that combine and harden to form stones under the right conditions, such as when a dog has a urinary tract infection.

The most common types of bladder stones in dogs are struvite stones, which are usually caused by a bladder infection, and calcium oxalate stones, which form when urine is supersaturated with calcium and oxalate. Other, less common, bladder stones include urate stones and cystine stones.

While bladder stones themselves are not always an emergency, they can potentially cause an obstruction and prevent urine from exiting the body, which can be life-threatening.

Small bladder stones may pass through the urine on their own or be dissolved with diet therapy, while larger ones may require surgery.

If your dog is showing any signs of urinary issues, it’s important to see a veterinarian as soon as possible to rule out bladder stones.

Symptoms of Bladder Stones in Dogs

Sometimes dogs don’t have any symptoms of bladder stones, and a veterinarian finds them incidentally when examining or performing tests on the dog for a different reason.

However, most of the time, dogs will show any of the following symptoms:

• Bloody urine
• Increased frequency of urination
• Passing small amounts of urine
• Straining to urinate
• Not passing urine at all
• Licking
• Leaking urine or urinating in inappropriate places
• Passing of small stones
• Abdominal pain

Less common symptoms may include:

• Lethargy
• Weight loss
• Increased thirst

Causes of Bladder Stones in Dogs

There are several reasons a dog may develop bladder stones, which include:

• Urinary tract infection: The most common reason a dog develops bladder stones is due to bladder infections. These alter the urine pH and make the formation of stones more likely.
• Dietary imbalance: Dogs who are fed diets high in magnesium, phosphorus, and protein are more likely to develop bladder stones.
• Low water intake: When dogs do not drink enough water, their urine can become highly concentrated. Crystals can form in the small amount of urine in their bladder and eventually lead to bladder stones.
• Underlying disease: Dogs who have underlying health conditions, such as Cushing’s disease, can have increased risk of bladder stones.
• Abnormal urine pH: If a dog’s urine pH becomes more acidic or alkaline than it should be, bladder stones are more likely to form.

Dog breeds more likely to develop bladder stones include:

• Dalmatians
• Miniature Schnauzers
• Bulldogs
• Yorkshire Terriers

However, any dog has the potential to be diagnosed with bladder stones.

How Veterinarians Diagnose Bladder Stones in Dogs

To diagnose bladder stones in dogs, a veterinarian will start with a physical exam to identify any obvious abnormalities, such as abdominal pain, fever, or weight loss.

During the exam, pet parents should inform the veterinarian about when symptoms began, their dog’s diet, and any previously diagnosed health conditions.

If the veterinarian suspects the dog may have bladder stones, the following tests may be performed:

• Urinalysis: A small sample of the dog’s urine will be tested for the presence of crystals or blood, abnormal pH, and signs of infection.
• Blood work: The dog’s blood can be tested to check overall health and look for high levels of calcium, which could contribute to bladder stones.
• Ultrasound: During this non-invasive test, a veterinarian places gel and a probe on the lower abdomen where the bladder is located. Sound waves help visualize abnormalities in the bladder, such as the presence of crystals or stones.
• Radiograph (X-ray): Taking an X-ray of the dog’s bladder can show white circular objects if bladder stones are present. While most bladder stones do show up on X-rays, some are not visible, depending on their composition.

Treatment of Bladder Stones in Dogs

Treatment for bladder stones in dogs depends on the amount and size of the stones present.

Your veterinarian will recommend an appropriate treatment plan for your dog, which may include:

• Diet change: Dogs with bladder stones may need a special urinary therapeutic diet available only with veterinarian approval. Urinary therapeutic diets may help dissolve and/or help prevent the recurrence of certain types of stones. They are formulated with controlled mineral content and may also help dilute the urine, thereby diluting excess minerals that can cause crystals and stones.
  
  For example, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary SO Adult Dog Food provides nutrition that aids in the management of pure struvite uroliths.

• Catheterization: If a dog has only small bladder stones, a urinary catheter can be placed to flush the bladder with saline to encourage stones to exit.
• Lithotripsy: A laser is used to break large bladder stones into smaller pieces that can be flushed out of the bladder and passed through the urine.
• Cystotomy: Dogs with bladder stones may need surgery to manually remove them. This is common in dogs who have a large number of stones or very large ones that are unable to pass through the urine or unable to dissolve.
• Antibiotics: Many dogs with bladder stones have concurrent urinary tract infections and may need antibiotics, such as amoxicillin.

Recovery and Management of Bladder Stones in Dogs

Bladder stones in dogs are curable with the appropriate treatment. However, if the underlying cause is not addressed, they are likely to recur and require repeat treatment.

For dogs who have underlying urinary tract infections alongside bladder stones, antibiotics are usually needed for at least seven to 10 days, sometimes more. Often vets will use urine cultures to help them determine the right antibiotic and proper length of treatment.

For dogs given a therapeutic urinary diet to dissolve their bladder stones, the time for full resolution can vary based on the size of the stone and individual patient factors, but many stones will dissolve in two to five weeks. During this time, dogs should only be fed the therapeutic urinary diet.

For dogs with urinary issues who are also prone to weight gain or who could benefit from weight loss, some of the products in the Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary range have moderate calorie content, or are adapted for a healthy weight loss.

Depending on the type of stone, surgery may be necessary to remove bladder stones, especially when the stone is too large to pass through the urine.

For dogs who have surgery, the veterinary care team may recommend they wear a recovery cone and have exercise restrictions for 10 to 14 days following surgery. Be sure to closely follow the recommendations of the veterinary team.

Prevention of Bladder Stones in Dogs

The best way to minimize the risk of bladder stones forming in dogs is to ensure your pet receives regular preventive veterinary care.

During these visits, your veterinarian can test a sample of your pup's urine to check for abnormalities that may increase the risk of bladder stones. In doing so, the veterinarian can provide early treatment to prevent stone formation.

Some dog breeds may have a genetic predisposition to urinary stones. For example, Bulldogs and Dalmatians are known to have a higher risk of urate stones than many other breeds, and Bulldogs are also a breed that can have a genetic predisposition to cystine stones.

Your veterinarian can help you assess bladder stone risk in your dog and design an appropriate nutrition and monitoring plan to help reduce that risk as much as possible.

For example, the Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Urinary UC Dry Dog Food is formulated with moderate quantities of high-quality proteins and controlled methionine and cystine levels. Low purine proteins combined with the production of alkaline urine help reduce the risk of urate stones.

Unfortunately, once a dog has had bladder stones, there is a high chance that they could come back in the future. For dogs who previously had bladder stones, the best way to help delay or prevent recurrence is to follow your veterinarian’s recommendations. Some dog may need to eat a therapeutic urinary diet for the rest of their lives.

Avoid extra treats or human foods unless your vet has specifically recommended them. There are urinary therapeutic treats available, like Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary Adult Dog Treats, that can help keep your pet healthy. Be sure to follow your vet’s recommendations for ongoing rechecks and monitoring of your pet.

Making sure that your dog has access to clean fresh water at all times to stay well-hydrated can help prevent highly concentrated urine, which is more susceptible to crystals and stones. You can also add additional water to your pet’s canned or dry food.

Lastly, make sure your pet has multiple opportunities to empty their bladder every day so that small stones have a better chance of being flushed out rather than staying in the bladder to grow.