Diet for Canine Bladder Stones

Our canine pets suffer from bladder stones just as we humans do. Also known as urinary calculi or urinary stones, bladder stones can form anywhere in the dogs urinary tract. Dr Race Foster at PetEducation.com states that over 85 percent of canine urinary stones form in the bladder. Unlike in the past, current medical advances provide several treatment options, including curative diets that treat canine bladder stones and prevent their recurrence.

Causes and Types

Composed of minerals, canine bladder stones appear when a urinary tract bacterial infection alters the urine pH levels. These stones initially form crystals in the urine, which gradually become stones of around four inches in width. While dogs experience different types of bladder stones, struvite and calcium oxalate stones are the most common. Struvite stones generally affect female dogs as a result of a urinary tract infection. Calcium oxalate stones are experienced by older male dogs, and are linked to heredity and hormonal imbalances.

Symptoms

Telltale signs that your dog is experiencing a bladder stone disorder include frequent and painful urination in small quantities with occasional blood, and abnormal licking of the genitals. While dogs may experience all or some of the symptoms, sometimes they may display none, and the stone is detected during an examination of the abdominal area.

Treatment

Bladder stones are treated with medication, diet and/or surgery, depending on the stone size, type and location. Generally, the vet treats the urinary tract infection and dissolves struvite stones with antibiotics and dietary management. However, stones lodged in the dogs ureter or urethra obstruct the urinary tract and can be life-threatening, necessitating surgery or catheterization. Often, calcium oxalate stones in canines require surgical intervention.

Diet

Foods that are high in mineral and protein predispose dogs to bladder stones. Therefore, dogs should be fed a special diet that dissolves bladder stones and prevents their recurrence. Specially-prepared diets are available off the shelf from pet food manufacturers like Purina, Hills and Royal Canin. These special diets are high in fiber and low in minerals--like calcium and magnesium--and in proteins. GoPetsAmerica recommends home-cooked bladder-stone-control meals for canines. Dogs with struvite stones have alkaline urine, while oxalate stones form in acidic urine. Therefore feed your dog foods that balance pH levels, based on the stone type.

Supplements

Though urinary acidifiers like vitamin C and dl-methionine acidify the dogs urine, a natural supplement like cranberry extract is advised, as it also prevents bacterial proliferation. Avoid giving dogs urinary acidifiers in conjunction with the special diet, as special diets also acidify the urine. Increase your dogs water intake to minimize urine concentration and flush out bladder stones. Ensure that she urinates every six hours, as concentrated urine becomes acidic and leads to bacterial infection. Enrich your dogs diet with natural multivitamins derived from whole foods that are not contraindicated with his stone type.

Considerations

A correct diagnosis of your dogs bladder stone type will ensure that you are feeding her an appropriate diet. Therefore, consult your vet before placing your dog on a bladder-stone-prevention diet.