Introduction
“Bladder stones” in dogs are usually asymptomatic until they move down the urinary tract and become lodged in the urethra. When this happens, the dog will attempt to urinate more frequently than normal and will show signs of straining when “going to the bathroom.” Urinary tract obstruction is an extremely serious condition that can lead to rupture of the bladder, and ultimately death. It is a true medical emergency.
Treating Bladder Stones
Non-Surgical Treatment
Sometimes, bladder stones can be treated with a nonsurgical procedure called “urohydropropulsion. “ This is usually done only in female dogs, based on their anatomical differences from males. During this procedure, the dog is sedated, a urinary catheter is inserted, saline fluid is flushed through the catheter into the bladder, and then the bladder is squeezed to flush out the stones. Abdominal radiographs will be taken after the procedure to determine whether all of the stones were successfully removed.
Surgical Treatment
When a dog has large bladder stones, or a large number of stones, surgery is required. The surgical procedure is called a “cystotomy,” and it will be performed under general anesthesia. The veterinary surgeon will make an incision through the abdominal wall and then will make a much smaller incision into the bladder. She will remove the stones and then suture the bladder and abdominal tissues. This procedure is normally very successful.
Once the stones have been removed from the bladder, they will be sent to a laboratory to determine what they are made of. This information will help identify why the stones formed, and how they might be prevented in the future. The recurrence of certain types of stones can be reduced by placing the dog on a specialized diet and ensuring that electrolytes and fluids are well-balanced.