Urolithiasis in dogs. Causes of kidney stones in dogs and methods of treatment Urinary stones in dogs causes of treatment

Urolithiasis disease is a treatable disease if properly diagnosed and treated. It is worth understanding that if you do not feed your dog properly when it has urolithiasis, no medications will help. A properly selected diet is an integral part of treatment.

The dog will become healthy much faster if its diet helps dissolve stones (uroliths). Proper feeding– the most an important part therapy, even if the dog had to undergo surgery, since a weakened body can lead to a relapse of the disease.

Rocks and sand never just form, and as you can imagine, they won't magically dissolve. The diet is designed in such a way as to create a deficiency of certain mineral compounds that the body will take from the stones. Simply put, the urine should not have enough of the substance that makes up sand or stones. If there are errors in choosing a diet and the urine is oversaturated with components, the stones will grow and the disease will progress.

In addition to diet, the composition of urine is changed using drug therapy. Dissolution of the stone will not occur if measures are applied temporarily, the diet is disrupted or treatment is interrupted. According to the experience of doctors, stones in the bladder are eliminated faster because they are constantly in a deficient environment. Kidney stones and sand can also be dissolved if the kidneys are functioning at a normal pace, but it will take longer.

At proper treatment and strict adherence to the diet, bladder stones dissolve in 2–6 months.

Regarding stones that are located in the ureters or urethra, there are several nuances. They will not dissolve, but when proper diet and will not increase. The best option is if the stones descend into the bladder under the stimulation of drugs or naturally. When in the urethra, the stone seems to be pushed up into the bladder, but it can descend again, having only partially dissolved.

In addition to the natural dissolution of urates, struvites, oxalates and sand, there are medical techniques, including a wide range of techniques. Before starting treatment, a urine test is mandatory, because if the doctor does not know which element is the basis of stones or sand, he will not be able to select adequate treatment.

Experience shows that random treatment wastes valuable time., and sometimes to an increase in stones. By the way, the stone does not necessarily consist of only one main trace element, that is, the diet is selected to create a deficiency of several minerals.

During treatment, the dog is regularly examined to track the dynamics. If the stones do not decrease within 2 months, another attempt is made to correct the diet. The third attempt was not given and the quadruped was operated on. In acute conditions, when the dog is unable to urinate or is in in serious condition, the operation is performed immediately.

Every 1–3 weeks or as determined by the attending physician, the dog must visit the clinic for the following procedures:

• General blood test with biochemistry.
• General analysis and urine culture.
• According to the clinic's capabilities, an image or ultrasound examination abdominal cavity.

It is worth understanding that methods for the treatment and prevention of urolithiasis are strictly individual for each dog. If there is a need for surgery, the doctor must take into account the animal's age, gender, body type, size and location of the bladder, type of urolithiasis and severity of the condition. Since pathology affects the kidneys, that is, the filtering organ, drugs for anesthesia are selected after preliminary tests for sensitivity.

If a dog has been diagnosed and treated for urolithiasis, there is always a risk of relapse if prevention is not carried out.

Diet for struvite

Struvite stones are almost always accompanied by infectious inflammation of the bladder, ureters or urethra. The infection is eliminated with antimicrobial and broad-spectrum drugs. The best option for selecting medications is urine culture to identify the type of pathogen.

Treatment and prevention are similar: eliminate the infection and make sure it really isn't there. The tests are repeated until the picture becomes clear, since symptomatic treatment can lead to relief and incomplete elimination of the infection. After the stones have dissolved, active treatment continues for 7–10 days, during which urine alkalinity is monitored several times a day.

Struvite can be sterile, meaning the disease is not accompanied by infection. In this case, treatment is carried out only on the basis of diet. By the way, sterile struvite dissolves faster.

Recurrence of the formation of struvite stones, the treatment of which was not complicated by infection, is very difficult to predict, since there will be no obvious symptoms. In this case, the emphasis is on diet. For prevention purposes, the dog is fed products with the effect of oxidizing urine or used special veterinary supplements(at natural feeding).

The diet for illness is selected to increase the deficiency of phosphates, magnesium and ammonium. If you buy dry food, it should be a product good quality, marked S/D and reduced protein content. Some medicinal foods deliberately increase the salt content and this needs to be taken into account Special attention. The option is acceptable because the dog drinks more, and the urine becomes less concentrated, that is, stones dissolve in it faster. On the other side, For urolithiasis, most dogs are prescribed a strictly salt-free diet.

Important! If your dog has kidney problems other than urolithiasis, therapeutic diet is administered step by step, by substitution, and over a period of 1.5–2 weeks.

At natural diet, the dog's food is moistened as much as possible. It is advisable not to give tap water, but to use purified, bottled water. The diet is designed with an emphasis on increasing calcium and phosphorus deficiency. It is important not to lead the animal’s body to a deficiency of microelements and, at the same time, to provoke the dissolution of stones. To make the task easier, special mineral supplements and urine oxidizers are used. When treating urolithiasis on a natural diet, strictly prevent overeating. Meals should be small meals, without additional snacks.

Diet for urates

Urates dissolve in urine with increased rate alkalis. This is one of the most difficult variants of the disease, both for diagnosis and treatment. If therapy is successful, the stones dissolve or are significantly reduced within 4 months. Treatment is continued for another 30–35 days after complete dissolution, since urates are least visible during ultrasound examination.

Food for dogs with this type of urolithiasis contains a low dosage of protein and is divided into two types:

• Feed marked S/D(we talked about it above) – minus: leads to oxidation of urine; plus: contains salt (is an advantage if a salt-free diet is not indicated).
• Food marked U/D– plus: it alkalinizes urine faster; minus: does not contain salt.

A universal industrial diet to combat urate specifically has not yet been developed, since almost every case is individual.

A dog that has been diagnosed with urate is prescribed a lifelong therapeutic diet and regular examinations. A urine test is used as an indicator, which must be taken at least once every 3 months.

Diet for cystine stones

One of the cases in which medicated treading is more important than medicinal food. The diet is selected to alkalize urine and increase its volume. Simply put, the dog needs to drink more, this will lead to the active production of less concentrated urine, in which the stones will dissolve. It is recommended to limit the diet of a dog with this type of urolithiasis to U/D type food.

Cystine– this is a substance that cannot be globally influenced by diet. Moreover, practically nothing can affect cystine in terms of natural dissolution. For treatment, cystine is replaced with disulfide, a substance more susceptible to dissolution. Treatment should only be carried out under the supervision of a physician, since all targeted medications have an extensive list of side effects. As an enhancer of the effect, drugs for alkalizing urine are used in treatment.

Prevention of cystine urolithiasis is similar to therapy when urates are detected.

Diet for calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stones

The problem with the treatment and prevention of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stones is that scientists cannot give unambiguous explanations of why stones of these types are formed. Veterinarians have no alternatives but to treat this type of urolithiasis, by analogy with human medicine or at random (intuitively). As a preventive measure, the first most important thing is diet, that is, the most balanced diet, or better yet, medicinal food. Diuretics are used as additional therapy (if necessary).

It is believed that one of the reasons for the formation of stones is excess calcium in the body. In this case, it is important to determine and eliminate the cause of excessive intake of microelements into the body. The difficulty is that excess calcium can only be trigger mechanism, that is, after eliminating hypercalcemia, the problem with stones remains.

The therapeutic diet consists of reducing the mass fraction of protein without reference to microelements (except calcium). When choosing food, the choice should be made on medicinal products that do not lead to urine oxidation. Typically, such foods do not contain salt and are labeled with the abbreviations K/D and U/D.

When treating calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stones, the dog is prescribed a salt-free diet. Additionally, using salt to increase your water intake is strongly discouraged.

Natural diet for urolithiasis

If you do not have the opportunity to buy expensive food or you decide to feed your dog with ICD natural food for another reason, there are a number of recommendations that you need to keep in mind.

The first of these is the quality of food. An incorrectly selected diet contributes to the formation of stones and sand. The second is the frequency of feeding. Few people know, but after eating, the alkali level in the urine increases slightly, and then returns to normal. If a bowl of food is constantly available to your pet, and he snacks at every opportunity, this leads to severe alkalization of urine. Urolithiasis is just one of the consequences of improper feeding. An overeating dog has a sharply increased risk of developing pyelonephritis and other kidney pathologies.

Calcium deficiency, no matter how strange it may sound, leads to the formation of stones, since the metabolism of microelements in the body is disrupted. Excess calcium also provokes sand formation. The conclusion is simple - it is not the presence or absence of calcium that is important, but the balance.

The next important recommendation is maintaining a balance in the energy value of the diet. How longer dog eats a large amount of cereals, the worse the mucous membranes (including the bladder) work. How is it possible, you say, medicinal food contains a reduced amount of protein, porridge (that is, carbohydrates) is also not allowed, so what should you feed the dog? Oddly enough, with urolithiasis, you need to think not about what to feed, but how not to violate the common truths - that is maintain a balance of protein, carbohydrates and fats. Don't forget about fiber ( plant foods), which should make up at least 30% of the total diet of a healthy dog.

Water plays an important role in the treatment and prevention of urolithiasis. When choosing a therapeutic diet, you strictly calculate the amount of salts, but by giving your dog tap water, you throw all the calculations down the drain. Tap water is saturated and oversaturated with salts and, to put it mildly, unnecessary elements (especially hard water). If your pet is prone to or has been diagnosed with urolithiasis, recommended purchase purified water or install a filter at home.

Lifestyle - important aspect prevention, which does not depend on the type of nutrition. How smaller dog moves, the more her metabolism slows down. By the way, high-quality nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle are also the causes of obesity.

If you do not feed your dog special food, and it has a tendency to urolithiasis, you should know about one more nuance. There is an opinion that it is enough for a four-legged dog to walk 2 times a day, but it does not take into account the fact that stagnation of urine (while the dog endures it) provokes the development of urolithiasis. Small dogs are trained to use a litter tray; this is convenient for owners and serves as a preventative measure. Large dogs should be walked as often as possible or switched to medicated food.

Some dog breeds are genetically prone to urolithiasis.

If you decide to purchase a pet of a high-risk breed, visit the veterinarian at least once every six months and be prepared at any time to switch your pet from preventative to therapeutic food.

Myths about urolithiasis

Owners often blame themselves for the fact that their pet is sick, and this happens after a friend or veterinarian voices common myths about the disease. The first and most common misconception sounds different, but has the same meaning - a sterilized pet needs to be fed only medicated food, otherwise he/she will develop urolithiasis.

The only factor that can support this statement is the natural decrease in the animal’s mobility. If you devote time to your pet, feed it properly and play with it, castration or sterilization is not a risk factor or cause of the development of urolithiasis.

Fish is a healthy, but not entirely unnatural, food for dogs. Recently, a diet containing fish has been considered the cause of urolithiasis, which is not very correct. The risk increases if you feed the animal only fish, and urolithiasis is not the only consequence. If the pet receives balanced diet with fish, there is no threat.

The kidneys remove waste products from the body in liquid form. However, sometimes this liquid crystallizes and stones form. Kidney stones are quite rare in dogs.

Causes of the disease

There are many reasons for the formation of kidney stones in dogs:

• unhealthy diet
• urinary retention,
• kidney and urinary tract infections,
• congenital factors,
• some medications and vitamin supplements,
• metabolic disease,
• disruption of activity nervous system,
• etc.

Most often, stones are found in the kidneys of middle-aged bitches. Dogs of such breeds as: miniature poodle, miniature schnauzer, Yorkshire terrier, cocker spaniel, bichon.

Symptoms of kidney stones in dogs

The very first and alarming symptom is the appearance of blood in the urine and pain when urinating. The dog becomes restless because its kidneys hurt; it arches its back and walks slightly crouched. There may also be diarrhea, vomiting, upset stomach, frequent urination.

If similar symptoms appear, you should immediately contact a veterinarian and get everything checked. necessary tests. The location of the stones can be detected by X-ray examinations. Stones can be located both in the renal pelvis and near the opening of the ureters. The most dangerous situation is when stones block the ureters.

Treatment of kidney stones in dogs

The best method of dealing with kidney stones is to remove them. It can happen different ways. If there is a small stone or sand in the ureter, it is under general anesthesia washed antiseptic solution using a catheter. IN advanced cases A urethrostomy is performed - an artificial outlet channel is created.

Cystotomy is even more difficult - abdominal surgery, in which large stones are completely removed. After the outflow of urine has been restored, infusion therapy to relieve intoxication and restore water-electrolyte balance. Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory therapy is carried out for up to two weeks.

If the disease is detected on initial stage renal colic, then the animal must be given rest and warmth in the kidney area. To prevent the continued formation of stones, the dog's diet is limited in the amount of meat (especially raw) and transferred to a varied dairy diet.

You can give your animal medicinal water mineral water"Essentuki" or "Borjomi". If a lot of sand is found in the urine sediment, magnesium salts are prescribed. Once the dog’s condition has been stabilized, lifelong prevention is mandatory.

For this purpose, a diet () and diuretic herbal mixtures are selected. When feeding naturally, you need to avoid monotonous foods that are highly enriched with salts (milk, fish, various seafood, mineral supplements, etc.).

Approximately one sixth of domestic dogs are diagnosed with urolithiasis. The danger of the disease is that it quickly deteriorates the pet’s health, so you need to respond to its symptoms immediately. A timely visit to the veterinarian will save your pet’s life and save him from suffering.

Stones or sand that form in the organs of the urinary system occur due to a violation of the chemical composition of urine. The shift can occur in the acidic or alkaline direction, therefore the stones will differ in composition.

Most often, the problem occurs in the urethra or bladder. The composition of stones in dogs is as follows:

Oxalates are the most dangerous stones.

Soft tissue injury

The appearance of stones and their movement along the urinary tract leads to injury to soft tissues. Therefore, bloody discharge during urination should alert the dog owner. Sometimes large stone deposits block the ureter.

When urinating, bloody discharge appears.

If the animal does not receive quick help, his death is possible due to general intoxication of the body. If obstruction is suspected, contact a veterinarian should be urgent!

Causes of stones

A dog drinking water from a puddle can get urolithiasis.

Of the main factors that lead to the appearance of sand and stones, several of the most common can be identified:

• Infectious diseases . These can be diseases not only of the urinary system, but also other infections that change the blood picture.
• Water very often causes the appearance of stones in the dog’s body. Drinking regime and water quality are very important for the animal. It is recommended to give your pet purified water and place the water container in an accessible place.
• Rare walks outdoors lead to stagnation of urine, and this causes deposition and crystallization of salts. If the animal lives in an apartment, you need to go for walks with it more often.
• Pet obesity and sedentary lifestyle - a direct path to swelling and stagnation of urine.
• Improper feeding . Many pet owners make the mistake of purchasing dry food and adding it to their diet from natural products. The food should be either completely natural or consist of dry food and canned food for animals. Mixing various types food is unacceptable. It is also impossible to feed only fish and meat. Protein food oxidizes urine and kidneys. Porridge alone is also unacceptable in the diet. Carbohydrates cause urine to become alkaline.
• Bad heredity , certain congenital pathologies.

The risk of developing urolithiasis increases many times over if several are present at once. unfavorable factors from the above list.

Symptoms

Obvious symptoms of the disease are noticed by almost all dog owners who carefully observe the life of their pet. For urolithiasis characteristic features are:

1. Frequent urge to urinate . If the dog is not allowed outside, it begins to urinate in small portions and anywhere indoors.
2. The color of urine should definitely alert you . The urine may become cloudy and change color to pale pink. Drops of blood can be seen on the floor or ground.
3. Male dogs change their usual behavior when urinating : They begin to sit down and stop raising their paw. Bitches sit down repeatedly, but urine either does not flow out, or its discharge is very scanty. During defecation, the animal may look tense, frightened, sometimes whine, etc.
4. If a stone or sand interferes with normal bowel movements or completely blocks the ureter, this is can be seen by the tight stomach , which the animal does not allow to touch. The pet refuses to eat, but drinks more than usual, and a fever appears. You should contact a veterinary hospital immediately!

Frequent urination is the main symptom of the disease.

Almost none of the owners notice the early symptoms of ICD. Dogs cannot tell about the discomfort that occurs. The disease develops long time, which is why it is so important to periodically visit the veterinarian and get tested. This will help you notice the problem in time and begin its treatment.

Necessary diagnostics

A blood test is necessary for diagnosis.

Additionally, to clarify the condition of the kidneys and all organs of the urinary system, as well as the size of the stones, you will have to undergo an ultrasound. Some types of stones cannot be diagnosed with ultrasound. In this case, an x-ray is prescribed.

To identify a bacterial infection, a smear is done on the flora. tell the vet about general condition four-legged patient.

Treatment at home

Treatment measures can only be carried out after receiving an accurate diagnosis.

Having learned accurate diagnosis, treatment should begin.

Dissolving stones

Some types of stones (struvite, urate and cystine) can be dissolved.

1. Struvite stones can be dissolved, if the animal is transferred to a special diet.
2. For example, food from Purina and Hills leads to oxidation of urine, and struvite stones dissolve. Sodium is specially added to these feeds to improve urination. This leads to washing of the ureters and bladder and salts are eliminated faster.
3. If there is no bacterial infection, then switching to such a diet gives a visible effect after 5 days.
4. It is very important to strictly monitor the diet and not feed your pet with various goodies from your table! If a bacterial infection is present, additional antibiotic therapy is prescribed.
5. Complete dissolution of stones is a long process, taking about 3–4 months.

Purina food helps improve urination.

To monitor the healing process, it will be necessary to take a urine test of the animal and do an X-ray for the presence of stones in the urinary tract. If the diagnostic results are good, then urine monitoring is carried out Once every 3 months.

Operation

If your dog has completely stopped urinating, go to the vet immediately!

If surgery is scheduled, you should not refuse it.

He will be able to remove the obstructing stone and help the animal empty itself. For certain types stones, the only way out is surgery. Therefore, if a specialist prescribes surgery, there is no need to refuse it. This is the only way to save your pet's life. Some stones can be pushed back into the bladder, but the risk of re-blockage remains quite high.

Prevention and dietary nutrition

The dog should always have access to clean water.

To prevent repeated relapses of the disease, the following recommendations must be followed:

1. Constant access of the dog to drinking purified water.
2. Frequently walk the animal so that the urine is emptied in a timely manner.
3. The loads should not be excessive, but the animal should not lie down all the time. A sedentary lifestyle causes even greater stagnation, which leads to the progression of the disease. Sick dogs are recommended to take long, quiet walks or run on level ground. It is best not to force your dog to jump, otherwise you may disturb the stones and cause them to move.
4. Correct selection of feed, depending on the type of stones and acidity of urine.
5. Controlling the animal's weight. The pet should not be overfed. Even if you use food recommended by a specialist, exceeding the daily norm is unacceptable. In order for your dog to eat in small portions, you should purchase high-calorie food. It is easily digestible and saturates the body with all essential minerals and microelements. Usually this is super-premium and premium food. When using a low-calorie diet for feeding, the pet requires a large portion, and with it it will receive excess minerals, which lead to urolithiasis.
6. If you decide to feed regular food, then it is necessary that the diet be prescribed by an experienced veterinarian nutritionist. The menu should not contain: sweets, smoked and salty dishes, sausages. Meat, cereals and dairy products should not be in excess quantities. Fish dishes– only boiled and maximum 1 time per week.

conclusions

You should have your urine tested periodically.

The success of treating urolithiasis depends on early detection problems, correct diagnosis, treatment and full compliance with all veterinarian recommendations. The disease is prone to relapse, so periodic monitoring of urine is mandatory.

Video about urolithiasis in dogs

According to veterinary statistics, the first place among diseases of the excretory system in dogs is urolithiasis (urolithiasis). The disease has a polyetiological nature, but most often develops as a result of unbalanced nutrition and infectious processes. The arsenal of veterinary medicine includes both conservative and surgical methods treatment of the disease.

Read in this article

Causes of urolithiasis development

The main factors that play a key role in the pathogenesis of the formation of stones (struvite) in four-legged pets, veterinary specialists include:

This phenomenon promotes the formation of tripel phosphate crystals.

• • Unbalanced diet. Feeding an animal using a mixed type (a combination of dry food and natural food) and a high-protein diet lead to disturbances in the composition of urine. There is a high probability of developing urolithiasis with an increased calcium content in the diet. As a rule, in this case, oxalates are formed in the animal.

Expert opinion

Lyubov Ilyina

Veterinarian

According to the observations of veterinary specialists, this type of stone is most often found in pets over 7 years of age, as well as in representatives of breeds such as Shih Tzu and Yorkshire terriers.

• Violation drinking regime. If the dog eats dry industrial feed and does not receive enough water, a change in the composition of urine occurs, which entails the formation of crystals in the form of citrates and oxalates. Giving your pet untreated tap water also causes the formation of inorganic compounds in the bladder.
• Congenital anomalies– a common cause of urolithiasis in dogs. Pathology develops, as a rule, against the background of narrowing of the urethra.
• Hereditary predisposition. Breeds such as Scottish Terriers, Poodles, and Pekingese are most often susceptible to the formation of struvite in the bladder. Dachshunds, Dalmatians, and cocker spaniels are also at risk due to a genetic predisposition to urolithiasis. Basset Hounds and English Bulldogs are prone to forming cystine stones.

The reasons that provoke the development of struvite in the bladder in dogs, veterinary experts include a sedentary lifestyle and irregular walking of the pet.

Symptoms in dogs

The insidiousness of urolithiasis lies in the fact that the disease develops almost imperceptibly for the owner; the first symptoms become obvious, unfortunately, when the pathological process has become serious. The sick dog has the following clinical picture:

In advanced cases, when stones block the urinary ducts, the animal experiences abdominal tension. The dog is worried and whines. The temperature may rise and anorexia develops. A threatening symptom is a lack of urination, signs of dehydration and cramps. This condition threatens the pet’s life due to the development of severe intoxication of the body and requires urgent qualified assistance.

Due to the features anatomical structure urinary tract Clinical signs Males develop faster than females.

Diagnosis of pathology

In some cases, the diagnosis is established by urine analysis before the pet develops pronounced symptoms. Laboratory analysis Urine allows you to identify the nature of the stones and prescribe the appropriate diet and treatment. During a clinical examination, in some cases the veterinarian may be able to palpate large stones through the abdominal wall.

A veterinarian can confirm the diagnosis, as well as identify the location of struvites, by performing an x-ray. In some cases, the pet will undergo excretory urography using a radiopaque contrast agent. The study is effective in individuals over 4 years of age. Testing will help determine the size and number of stones in the bladder.

Radiography for MBC in dogs

In order to identify a bacterial infection, which often accompanies urolithiasis, the animal is prescribed a bacteriological urine test.

Treatment of urolithiasis

In acute cases, when a pet is found to have urethral obstruction with stones, the veterinarian performs catheterization and retrograde lavage of the bladder.

In some cases, urethrotomy or urethrostomy is performed. The instrument is inserted into urethra under local anesthesia. After the procedure, the bladder is emptied through the surgical opening and is often used for pathology in uncastrated purebred males. Subsequently, urinary function is restored naturally.

In a urethrostomy, the surgeon creates a new urethral opening. This operation is usually combined with castration of the animal.

Medicines for dogs

In order to eliminate the consequences of blockage of the ureters, the animal is prescribed antispasmodics- No-shpu, Baralgin, Spazgan, Papeverin. For struvite, manual massage is indicated.

The drug Allopurinol helps reduce the formation of urate deposits. In some cases, the product leads to their dissolution.

If the obstruction is accompanied by bloody discharge, the dog is prescribed hemostatic agents, for example, Dicynon, Vicasol, etc.

Eliminate the inflammatory process during complications of urolithiasis pathogenic microflora The dog is helped by a course of antibiotic therapy. Best effect provide broad-spectrum antibiotics. good therapeutic effect I have cephalosporins, for example, Cephalen, Ceftriaxone.

Operation

If conservative therapy does not bring the desired effect, resort to elective surgery. Most often, this situation is observed during the formation of oxalates. During surgical intervention Stones are removed from the bladder.

Cystostomy is performed under general anesthesia. During the operation, the veterinary surgeon makes an incision in the bladder and then removes large stones. Small formations (sand) are washed out of the organ. Normal urination is restored, as a rule, after 2 - 3 days. After surgery is carried out conservative treatment In order to prevent relapse, a therapeutic diet is prescribed.

Diet and food selection

IN complex therapy diseases, a therapeutic diet is mandatory. Diet adjustments mainly depend on the type of stones found in the dog's body and should be carried out by the attending physician.

If your pet is found to have urates or cystines, then the diet should be low in protein. Specially developed medicinal foods that alkalize urine, for example Royal Canin Urinary U/C Low Purine, help limit the intake of protein components into the dog’s body without compromising the functioning of other organs and systems.

Expert opinion

Lyubov Ilyina

Veterinarian

The formation of struvite in the bladder requires adjustment of the diet aimed at reducing protein, calcium and phosphorus in it. Veterinarians It is recommended that such pets be switched to Hill's C/D or Royal Canin Urinary S/O food. Medicinal feeds effectively dissolve struvite crystals and are characterized by low level magnesium, which prevents the formation of new pathological formations.

Lifestyle if you have a disease

If an illness is detected, the owner must first of all take care of strict compliance with the instructions of the veterinarian. As a rule, a therapeutic salt-free diet is prescribed to the dog for life. Based on the results of the analysis, special foods are selected that dissolve and slow down the formation of certain uroliths in the excretory system.

A sick pet needs to be seen regularly. fresh air. Moderate physical activity is recommended. The owner must ensure that the dog does not tolerate it and empties its bladder as needed.

Regular (every 3-4 months) blood and urine examinations will help monitor the development of pathology and the condition of your pet.

Prevention of urolithiasis in dogs

The following tips and recommendations from veterinary therapists will help prevent the development of urolithiasis in dogs:

• Treat inflammatory processes in the genitourinary area in a timely manner.
• Balance your diet with low phosphorus content.
• The moisture content of the feed should not be lower than 60 - 70%.
• When feeding dry industrial formulas, the owner must control the consumption of fresh water.
• To water your dog, you must use filtered water.
• Do not allow the animal to become obese.
• Maintain a walking routine, avoiding bladder overfilling.
• Regularly take urine tests for early diagnosis of the disease.
• Pets at risk should be fed medicated food to prevent the formation of struvite.

Urolithiasis in dogs develops, as a rule, as a result of inflammatory processes, as well as with unbalanced feeding and impaired drinking regime. Considering that symptoms are detected already at late stage illness, you should not delay visiting a veterinarian. Therapy for the disease includes medications, a therapeutic diet and surgical removal stones.

Useful video

About the types of stones, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of urolithiasis, watch this video:

Pathologies of the urinary system, unfortunately, occur quite often among our most faithful friends. They have an extremely negative impact on the health of the animal and contribute to the development secondary diseases, and in the most severe and advanced cases, death cannot be ruled out. Thus, urolithiasis in dogs is a reason for immediate appeal to the veterinarian. Even if you just suspect that your pet may have this pathology, it is better to show it to a specialist. Perhaps by doing this you will save the health and life of the animal.

This is the name of pathology accompanied by the formation urinary stones(uroliths) in the dog’s urinary system. The disease is severe, and many of its symptoms are taken to be manifestations of cystitis, nephritis, nephrosis, and other pathologies genitourinary system. This complicates diagnosis and often leads to the animal being treated for a long time for the wrong thing. As a result, the pathological process worsens and becomes more severe. Stones can form in the kidneys, urethra, but usually the “place of dislocation” is the bladder.

Uroliths (especially large ones) irritate and injure the mucous membranes of the urinary organs, resulting in wounds, abrasions, hematuria (i.e. blood in the urine), the process is often accompanied by the development of a strong pain reaction. Often, “cobblestones” block (completely or partially) the lumen of the urethra, making the process of urination extremely painful. Unfortunately, in practice it has been repeatedly proven that Some dog breeds are inherently predisposed to:

• It is known that urates most often formed in Dalmatians. Additionally, experienced breeders and veterinarians suggest that English Bulldogs are highly susceptible, but this is not certain.
• When cystinuria exists larger number predisposed breeds, including English bulldogs, dachshunds and Newfoundlands.
• Struvite(triple phosphates) are a common problem for dogs and cats, they are predisposed to almost all breeds, with the exception of outbred animals.
• Calcium oxalates- similar to the previous paragraph.
• Xanthine uroliths- ordinary stones for the Royalist Spaniel King Charles. This may be due to the genetic predisposition of these dogs, which, among other things, often develop diseases of the genitourinary system.

Predisposing factors

There are dozens of dangerous predisposing factors that can lead to the development of urolithiasis. But there is no “universal” reason - each case is unique, and uroliths are formed under the influence of a whole complex of predisposing factors. But we would like to briefly list the most significant ones:

• Age group. KSD can occur in dogs at almost any age (cases of the disease have even been reported in two-month-old puppies), but dogs between the ages of six and ten years are much more often affected.
• Gender.“Officially” it is believed that both females and males are equally predisposed. But in practice everything turns out to be somewhat different. Thus, male dogs, according to veterinarians themselves, get sick noticeably more often. However, everything is probably not entirely true. It is possible that dogs of both sexes get sick with equal frequency, but in females the disease often goes undetected. In males, due to the high risk of urethral blockage, everything is much worse.
• Breed. Small dogs, including the Welsh Corgi, miniature schnauzer, pug, Lhaso Apso, and many terriers, are affected significantly more often than larger animals. Also susceptible are Beagles, Dachshunds, Dalmatians, Bulldogs, Cairn Terriers and Scottish Terriers.
• Volumes of water consumed. Infrequent urination, which develops as a result of irregular watering, lack of water, and feeding mainly dry food, contributes to the formation of urolith crystals.
• Diet. If the animal's diet contains large quantities some micro and macroelements, such as magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, the risk of uroliths increases tenfold. But that's not all. Dogs, contrary to popular belief, do not need much protein: excess protein also contributes to the formation of crystalline deposits in the organs of the genitourinary system. KSD also occurs from dry food.

It is believed that in approximately 70% of cases stones are formed by only one chemical element, but this statistics is rather arbitrary: in fact, almost every second urolith is a combination of several chemical compounds. Please note that very often genitourinary organs There can be several types of stones for an animal - they are formed depending on the characteristics of the pet’s maintenance and diet. Considering that therapy directly depends on the type of uroliths, it is very important for the veterinarian to know exactly what elements they are formed in a particular case.

Bacterial infections should be taken to a separate section. For a long time it was believed that they were only a consequence of urolithiasis in dogs (since the latter significantly weakens it), but over the past few years the opinion of experts has changed noticeably. The fact is that research by microbiologists and biochemists has revealed a striking circumstance: many types of microorganisms, during their life processes, secrete substances that contribute to the precipitation of minerals from urine by converting them into an insoluble state.

Clinical picture

The following clinical signs are considered the most typical: frequent urination(and the dog can pee at any time and anywhere), bloody urine, during the act of urination, the animal becomes very tense. Weakness, depression may develop, and the pet completely loses its appetite (but thirst remains the same). If your pet has any of these symptoms, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

However, this pathology is not always accompanied by the development of clearly visible symptoms. In other cases, they may not exist at all. But this only applies to cases where sufficiently large stones with sharp edges have not formed in the urinary tract of sick animals. The latter severely scratch and injure the delicate mucous membranes of these organs, as a result of which a strong pain reaction develops. In addition, the possibility of blockage of the urethra with small stones or sand.

Unfortunately, the likelihood of this happening is quite high. Symptoms develop quickly, approximately 70% of cases of urethral blockage end in either the death of the animal from a rupture of the bladder and subsequent internal bleeding, or (or the outflow of urine is somewhat preserved) serious kidney damage. Sudden vomiting, anorexia and subsequent lethargy are all very typical for such situations.

About urethral blockage (urethral obstruction)

Note that More than 80% of cases of urethral blockage affect male dogs. This is due to the peculiarities of the anatomical structure of their genitourinary system. The fact is that the urethra passes through the S-shaped bend of the penis. This place seems to be made for “clogs.” Even if a small stone passes normally through other parts of the duct, there is a 90% chance that it will get stuck in this place. If you notice that your pet is straining to urinate, seemingly experiencing severe pain during urination, you should immediately contact a veterinarian.

Practice shows that otherwise the pet may die within four hours from subsequent rupture of the bladder, accompanied by severe painful shock (not always, however) and massive internal hemorrhage.

Treatment at home is not an option at all; you need to urgently take the dog to the clinic!

By the way, you need to be wary if your pet, which is suffering from pain when urinating, suddenly begins to feel much better (but urine still does not appear). It is possible that his bladder has already ruptured.

Diagnosis

The disease is usually diagnosed using radiography and ultrasound.. Unfortunately, only ultrasound is a truly reliable method for detecting pathology. This happens for the reason that some types of stones (especially urates) turn out to be permeable to X-rays, as a result of which they are simply not visible in the picture. To avoid this outcome, “contrast radiography” is used: a picture of the bladder and urethra is taken after first filling the cavity of these organs with a special contrast solution.

Of course important role plays a role in disease recognition chemical analysis of urine, as well as inoculation of its samples on nutrient media. The latter method is especially often used when there is a suspicion of the bacterial nature of the pathology. It should be taken into account that an accurate diagnosis (taking into account the chemical origin of the stones) can only be made if at least one urolith can be removed.

If a specialist has even the slightest suspicion of the presence of stones in the organs of the urinary system, the following types diagnostic procedures: palpation of the abdominal cavity(this way you can identify large “minerals” in the bladder), microscopic examination of urine(in most cases, small crystals suitable for chemical analysis can be found there), bacteriological examination of urine. The latter technique pursues two goals at once: firstly, this determines the presence of pathogenic microflora.

Secondly, the specialist collects a “base” to determine the sensitivity of the found microorganisms to specific types of antibacterial drugs. Without this, by the way, it is unlikely that adequate treatment will be prescribed. To evaluate how well your pet is responding to therapy, your veterinarian may repeat some of these tests periodically. Therefore, a sick dog needs to be taken for a follow-up appointment at least once every two weeks (or better yet, more often).

Accompanying illnesses

It should be noted that with urolithiasis other pathologies often develop. Sometimes they are the root cause of the main illness, sometimes they only accompany it. These include: cystitis, crystalluria, urethral obstructions of non-stone etiology.

Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder. With urolithiasis, it develops very often, since the sharp edges of uroliths injure and scratch the delicate mucous membranes of the organ. Moreover, when bacterial etiology ICD all this only worsens the course of the pathological process and significantly complicates it.

Crystalluria– a transitional state characterized by the presence of crystals of insoluble compounds in the urine. This happens when the mineral components in the urine begin to transform into a bound, insoluble state, but their deposition in the organs of the urinary system has not yet occurred. This very often happens with a poorly chosen diet and a serious lack of fluid. If your pet's diet is normalized in time, nothing bad will happen. All crystals will gradually be “washed away” by the excreted urine. Otherwise, they will be deposited on the walls of the organs of the urinary system, which over time will inevitably lead to the development of urolithiasis.

Concerning urethral blockage, it may be due to tumor development in the lumen of the organ. But much more often it is its obstruction, when the same tumor compresses the urethra from the outside. In addition, cases of clamping of the ureter after injuries are described, when instead of “standard” tissue, scar tissue develops. It compresses and tightens the organ, causing urine to be discharged into external environment becomes difficult or completely impossible.

How can this contribute to the development of urolithiasis? Very simple. Even completely normal urine, if left in a container for some time, gradually begins to precipitate. This happens because the initially insoluble compounds included in its composition, under the influence external factors pass into an insoluble state. The same thing happens in the bladder, where urine cannot flow out. But urolithiasis in such a situation is far from the worst thing.

What happens if a large volume of fluid accumulates in the organ cavity? That's right, her internal pressure increases sharply. Urine is looking for any way to escape. Since the urethra is completely or partially blocked, the fluid goes in the opposite direction... That is, urine goes back to the kidneys. As a result, it is likely that hydronephrosis, nephritis, nephrosclerosis, renal cysts and other equally unpleasant diseases will develop, many of which are potentially fatal.

We have already said that the treatment methods used largely depend on the chemical composition of the resulting uroliths. Let us emphasize once again that there is no universal treatment; in each specific case, therapeutic methods must be selected strictly individually. Therefore, the veterinarian will try by any means to obtain a sample of the stone.

Therapeutic measures

How is urolithiasis treated in dogs? If there are any signs of ureteral obstruction, the dog needs immediate attention. medical care, since otherwise the animal may well die. We have already mentioned the reasons for this above. In other situations, all previously described diagnostic studies, after which the veterinarian must make a decision: either the stones can be dissolved in the process drug treatment and by appointment special diet, or you will have to resort to surgical intervention.

Despite the apparent advantages of drug and “dietary” treatment methods, they have many disadvantages. Firstly, both of them take a very long time - the drugs do not work less than a month in the very best case scenario. Secondly, no more than 40-45% of all uroliths are, in principle, amenable to dissolution.

The only one 100% effective method The treatment for urolithiasis is surgery.

Is it true, Without an appropriate diet, there will be little benefit from the operation. If the metabolism of a sick animal is not normalized, stones will form again. And the old dog’s body may well not be able to withstand repeated intervention...

Secondly, In almost all cases of urolithiasis, an appointment is required diuretics: urine simply washes away the urolith crystals that have managed to form. In addition, as a result of the prescription of diuretics, the density and concentration of urine decreases, which also prevents the formation of new stones. Since in many cases urolithiasis is complicated by secondary infections, the sick dog is often prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics in loading doses.

Third, very important painkillers: sick dogs experience severe pain, and therefore without these drugs they can simply die from painful shock. Finally, in severe cases, when the animal is in a “vegetable” state due to serious intoxication (uremia), and cannot even drink on its own, they resort to intravenous infusions of nutritional and buffer compounds.

Commercial feed varieties

Note that experienced veterinarians most often recommend using already ready-made feed, specially intended for feeding animals suffering from urolithiasis. This is due to the fact that it is almost impossible to independently select the components of a diet that is perfectly balanced in all respects. In any case, this requires extensive experience in veterinary nutrition. So, whenever possible, it is better to purchase something more “professional”.

The advantage of a well-formulated diet is that it can help dissolve stones (which we already mentioned above). The main characteristic of therapeutic diets is extremely (on the threshold physiological needs body) reduced content proteins, micro and macroelements.

Such foods ensure that there are practically no compounds left in the urine that can crystallize and precipitate. Finally, many types of medicinal feeds help shift the urine pH closer to neutral values. Again, it all depends on the type of food and the type of stones found in the sick animal. There is only one drawback - the price. But we'll talk about this a little later...

Royal Canin Urinary food (canned veterinary)

Feeding a dog suffering from urolithiasis is a very difficult and very “delicate” task. It is especially difficult when an old dog is sick: in such cases it is important to provide the pet’s body with the necessary amount nutrients, preventing the development of exhaustion, but at the same time not accelerating the processes of crystallization in the urine. It’s the same when young animals get sick. It is extremely difficult for them to choose a diet, since at the same time it is necessary to prevent the further development of urolithiasis, but at the same time not impede normal growth and the development of the animal's body. Using simple canned food is not the best idea, since they contain completely different combinations of nutrients and microelements.

A real salvation for sick dogs will be Royal Canin Urinary food (canned veterinary food), which is recommended to be used as soon as urolithiasis appears. Its composition is strictly balanced in the content of microelements (especially calcium, phosphorus and magnesium), as well as nutrients. It allows you to provide pets with everything they need, without, however, exceeding critical values, after which crystallization processes begin. The food contains the optimal amount of protein and other nutrients and does not overload excretory system animals, prevents the development of dysbiosis (which, by the way, often develops in pets suffering from kidney disease).

Canned food is very easy to use: they have the optimal consistency and are “stuffed” with aromatic substances that stimulate the appetite even in very sick and weakened dogs. The food is rich in vitamin E, taurine and lutein, which stimulate the immune system and accelerate the regeneration of epithelial tissue in the organs of the urinary system. The feed contains a lot of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which have a beneficial effect on the glomerular apparatus of the kidneys.

Recommended for the treatment of urolithiasis caused by oxolates and struvite. Combines well with all types of antibiotics and others antimicrobial agents, used for the bacterial nature of ICD.

Recommendations for the use of specialized feeds

When a specialist recommends fighting stones in the urinary system by giving the animal specialized feeds, get ready for long-term treatment. Stones can be completely dissolved within a few weeks (or months), and much depends on the size and number of existing uroliths.

It is important that your dog does not eat anything other than prescribed medications and strictly adheres to the diet prescribed by the veterinarian.

This is realistic only in cases where the pet does not go outside, where he can “intercept” something at any time, but is constantly at home, under strict supervision. Why such difficulties?

If the dog eats anything other than the food recommended by the veterinarian, there will be no benefit from such a diet. But there is a problem here: yes, good commercial feeds have high nutritional attractiveness. Simply put, a sick dog willingly eats them. But what if your pet doesn't show much interest in food? In this case, you need to follow simple tips:

• Medical food should be heated before serving, but not higher than 36-37° Celsius. Of course, this only applies to canned varieties of “medicinal” food.
• During the first days, it is better to give food new to the animal in small portions so that it gets used to it. The dog will not die from exhaustion during this time, but will get used to healthy food.
• All dry food is mixed with a small amount of warm boiled water, wait 10 minutes, and only then feed the dog.
• About a week before the end of the therapeutic diet course, if the veterinarian approves, you can begin introducing regular foods. This should be done very gradually, mixing food with medicinal food in small portions.

Sick dogs It is strictly prohibited to feed meat, liver or other foods containing an abundance of animal protein. Vitamin and mineral supplements are strictly prohibited without veterinarian approval! Lean more on vegetables and less saturated chicken broths. These two components are mixed and, using a blender, brought to a homogeneous paste. If the dog refuses (at first) to eat it, hold it starvation diet. A day or two, and even the most picky dog ​​will begin to eat healthy food.

And this is very important. The success or failure of treatment depends largely on the nutritional characteristics of the animal during this period. There is one more circumstance - if the pet receives powerful antibiotics, it will most likely be necessary to add probiotics. Doggystyle digestive system and in normal conditions will not be able to boast of a wealth of beneficial microflora, and after using antibacterial agents, dysbacteriosis will be ensured.

So, these diets are an excellent option during the long and difficult process of treatment for urolithiasis. Despite high cost quality feed from ICD, which may well cost more than “human” food in chain supermarkets, it is still better to use them. The British have a good saying for this situation: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

In short, preventing urolithiasis in dogs is a profitable business, despite the high cost of this type of food. However, professional veterinarians honestly warn that it is almost impossible to guarantee 100% complete protection of a pet from ICD. Judge for yourself - for this you need to constantly feed the dog exclusively medicinal food, or select the diet with perfect precision.

The owner needs to provide the pet with the maximum comfortable conditions(especially in the postoperative period).

It is important that your dog has 24-hour, unlimited access to clean, fresh drinking water.

If you live in a region with very hard water, boil and cool it thoroughly before drinking (otherwise you will not get rid of excess mineral compounds). Be sure to consult your veterinarian and strictly follow all his recommendations. A preventive examination is required at least once every two weeks. We especially emphasize that antibiotics must be given exactly on time and exactly during the period determined by the veterinarian! Deviations from this rule are unacceptable!

If possible (and it’s easy to buy kits for determining pH), It is necessary to monitor the pH of your pet’s urine daily and report these values ​​to the specialist. This will help the doctor determine the dynamics of the process and adjust therapeutic procedures in a timely manner.

Call your veterinarian immediately if any aspect of your animal's behavior causes anxiety or uncertainty. If you notice blood in your dog’s urine, you see that when urinating, he is very tense, or can urinate anywhere, you need to urgently take your pet to the veterinarian. These signs of urolithiasis in dogs, as well as excessive licking of the genital area, vomiting, diarrhea, poor appetite and depression indicate a sharp complication of the pathological process. Your pet may need urgent surgery.