Kidney stones, a problem that makes dogs and cats unable to urinate (Urinary Stones)
Dogs can't pee, cats go to the bathroom for a long time but only pee a little, or sometimes the urine that comes out is dark and mixed with blood. These problems may be caused by sediment or mineral crystals accumulating in their urinary tract, or what we all know as kidney stones. Today, Taling Chan Animal Hospital will answer questions about kidney stones for owners to hear about what kidney stones are and how to deal with them.
What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones are formed by the accumulation of mineral deposits that form into stones, affecting the health and behavior of pets. It is a health problem that occurs in the urinary system. It can occur from the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. And up to 85% of urinary stones in pets are found in the bladder. This disease is common in pets, both dogs and cats.
Causes of kidney stones
The causes of kidney stones can be caused by many factors, such as:
- Food and water – Foods that are high in minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium can increase the risk of kidney stones. As for drinking water, if your dog or cat doesn’t drink enough water, it can cause the urine to become highly concentrated, increasing the chances of mineral crystallization that can precipitate into kidney stones.
- Gender – Another factor that can cause stones. If your dog or cat is male, there is a chance of an obstruction because the urethra in males is narrower and longer than in females, making it easier for stones to become stuck. However, if the dog or cat is female, there is a tendency to find struvite stones, which are caused by a urinary tract infection.
- Genetics – Some breeds of dogs and cats are more likely to develop kidney stones than others due to different genetics, body structure, and behavioral factors, such as Dalmatians, Shih Tzus, Persians, British Shorthairs, and others.
- Urinary tract infections – Bacterial infections of the bladder cause changes in the pH of urine. When urine is too alkaline, magnesium phosphate's ability to dissolve in water is reduced, which can encourage stone formation.
- Underlying Diseases – Dogs and cats with pre-existing diseases, such as liver disease, kidney disease, or hormonal imbalances, are at higher risk of developing kidney stones than dogs and cats with normal health.
Symptoms encountered
If your dog or cat shows these signs, they may be prone to kidney stones.
- Urinating more frequently than usual and in smaller quantities
- Dribbling urine
- There is blood mixed in the urine.
- Straining to urinate for a long time
- Frequent licking of genitals
If these symptoms are left untreated for a long time, the stones may block the urethra, causing the dog to be unable to urinate. At that point, the owner must take the dog to the veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible, otherwise, the dog may die.
Treatment methods
Treatment of kidney stones depends on the type of stones your dog has and the veterinarian's diagnosis. There are two main methods:
- Surgery – is the most effective treatment. Surgery is performed on the area where the stone is located and the stone is removed for examination of the type of stone found. After surgery, your child may have blood in their urine for 2-4 days and will need to rest for 7-14 days.
- Feeding a lithotripsy formula – In some pets with health problems or at risk of anesthesia, feeding a lithotripsy formula is another treatment method. However, it is only effective for certain types of stones. Therefore, it must be analyzed first to see if the type of stone your pet has can be treated by feeding a lithotripsy formula.
This treatment can take several months and requires close supervision by the owner.
2.1 Let your child eat the kidney stone dissolving formula regularly without giving them other foods.
2.2 Observe your child's symptoms frequently because he or she may have difficulty urinating or blood in the urine.
2.3 Control of urinary tract infections and appropriate fluid intake
How to take care after surgery
After surgery, owners need to closely monitor their pets to prevent complications and reduce the chances of recurrence of stones by:
- Let your child drink plenty of water.
- Adjust your diet to a kidney stone prevention formula
- Keep the surgical wound clean.
- Do not allow dogs or cats to lick the surgical wound. You may wear a licking prevention device, such as a collar.
- Take antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications as prescribed by your veterinarian.
- Avoid letting your child jump, run, or play vigorously for 10-14 days.
If there are any abnormal symptoms such as lethargy, not eating, difficulty urinating, showing signs of straining to urinate, or blood in the urine, or sometimes sand-like stones may be found in the urine, see a veterinarian immediately.
How to prevent
Kidney stones can be prevented by taking good care of your pet's diet, water, and behavior. Owners can follow these tips to reduce the risk of kidney stones in their pets.
- Drink more clean water.
- Control your food intake to be in the right amount and choose food that is appropriate for your health conditions.
- Regular health check-ups
- Weight control and exercise
- Stimulate urination behavior by taking them out to defecate regularly.
Kidney stones are another common disease in dogs and cats. Therefore, giving pets plenty of water to drink, controlling their diet properly, and having regular health checks are essential to reduce the chances of developing kidney stones. However, if your little ones have any of the above symptoms, owners should take them to see a veterinarian for early treatment for their good health.
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