Urolithiasis in dogs: symptoms, treatment, therapeutic diet, drugs. Symptoms and treatment of urolithiasis in dogs What pills for urolithiasis in dogs

Urolithiasis in dogs pathological condition urinary system, in which calculi are formed in the cavities of the organs. Crystallization of salts is accompanied by a violation of diuresis, intoxication of the animal's body and inflammation of the urinary system.

The damaging effect of internal and external factors may lead to the development urolithiasis(ICD) in dogs regardless of age. However, according to statistics, 15% of animals have KSD, of which 70% of urolithiasis is diagnosed at the age of 7-8 years, 20% at the age of 4-6 years, and only 10% of dogs at the age of 1 to 3.5 years. .

There is a relationship between the incidence of urolithiasis in pets with:

• Gender identity. Although the difference in the results of the study is small, but males suffer from urolitosis a little more often, which may be due to the peculiarities of the structure of the excretory system, since the length of the urethra in males is longer than in females, which, in case of violation metabolic processes facilitates prolapse of uroliths in the urinary tract.
• Belonging to a certain breed. In small dogs, whose weight does not exceed 10 kg, uroliths are formed due to the smaller volume of the bladder, which makes it less likely to empty. As a result, the salt content in the urine increases.
• Low physical activity. Dogs that are rarely walked or take little time to walk have a significantly higher risk of stone formation compared to active dogs. Physical inactivity causes stagnant processes in the organs.
• Disorders in nutrition and water consumption. Dogs fed a diet high in mineral salts or protein have a higher risk of developing urolithiasis than animals fed a healthy diet. Animals that drink little liquid get sick much more often, as their urine density is increased. Restriction in the diet of foods high in purines reduces the risk of urolithiasis in dogs. A large amount of fiber, bran, soy increases the risk of the formation of silicate stones.
• bacterial or viral infection. According to statistics, this factor is more typical when urolithase occurs in bitches, which is also due to the peculiarity of the structure of the genitourinary system. In this case, the accumulation of bacteria can become the center of crystallization of uroliths and the cause of the formation of large calculi.

The reasons for the formation of stones and sand in the urinary system do not affect their composition. However, there is a relationship between the frequency of formation of uroliths of a certain nature and factors such as breed, age and sex of the dog.

Types of uroliths and their characteristics

There are 4 main types of stones that form with KSD - struvite, urate, phosphate, oxalate. Consider their composition and risk groups, which most often include animals of a certain breed, age and gender.

• Struvites and tripel phosphates form ammonium salts of magnesium phosphate. Struvites are much more common in all dog breeds with diagnosed KSD. Among the breeds that have a risk of struvite formation, there are beagles, dachshunds, terriers, Pekingese. Calculi of this type can form, regardless of age, but most often females are prone to struvite urolitase. age category 3.5-5 years. The main reason for the formation of struvite stones is the alkaline pH of the urine and the presence of pathogenic microflora.
• Oxalates - calcium oxalates precipitate in acidic urine. This type of calculus is typical for dogs of such breeds as Affenpinscher, Shih Tzu, Pug, Lhasa Apso, Bolonka, Yorkshire Terrier. Among veterinary patients with oxalates, mainly males aged 6-7.5 years.
• Urates - represented by ammonium urate. An increased risk of developing KSD and the formation of urates are lapdogs, Dalmatians, shepherd dogs, terriers, wolfhounds. Urates are more typical for dogs aged 1.0-3.5 years, and are caused by genetic disorders.
• Cystines are a type of stone rarely formed in bitches. The pathology is caused by genetic anomalies and occurs in terrier, dachshund, chihuahua males at the age of 1.5-5 years.

Stones are rarely monocomponent, they usually consist of 2 or more salts. The surface of large calculi may be smooth, spongy, or covered with spikes and protrusions. Depending on the predominant salt in the composition, the color may vary from white, yellowish, gray to Brown color. A genetic predisposition to a certain type of urate is confirmed by the fact that they are detected in representatives of certain breeds. Uroliths composed of calcium phosphate or calcium oxalate salts are characteristic of aging dogs.

The main signs of urolithiasis in dogs

The main symptom of urolithiasis is difficulty with urination. When the urinary tract is blocked or obstructed as a result of inflammation, urine may be excreted in drops or not at all. The animal behaves uneasily, whines in pain. Symptoms of pathology depend on the stage of the disease. For example:

• At mild form ICD are marked the following symptoms: increased diuresis, traces of blood in the urine, pain and discomfort during urine output, the dog intensively licks the urogenital area.
• In a severe form of the disease, there is a constant expiration and incontinence of urine (pollakiuria), an increase in the amount of blood in the urine and an increase in pain(hematuria). The dog is tormented by thirst, and she (polydipsia), while significantly increasing (2-3 times) the volume of urine excreted (polyuria), which is accompanied by a depressed state, weakness, apathy in the animal. Due to lack of appetite, weight can drop sharply, up to the development of anorexia.
• The stage of development of the KSD, threatening the life of the dog: urine ceases to be excreted at all, and this condition lasts 2-3 or more days (anuria). The dog loses consciousness as a result of heart failure (collapse). Such a manifestation of the disease can lead to the death of the animal. From the mouth of the animal there is a smell of ammonia (uremic halitosis). Vomiting may occur, leading to severe dehydration and tonic convulsions. With untimely or inadequate treatment, the condition turns into a coma and can cause death.

With prolonged anuria, the animal's bladder may burst. Chemical and mechanical irritation of the urinary tract and the addition of a bacterial infection cause chronic, renal failure, pyelonephritis, nephroptosis, etc. To save the life of a pet, you should contact your pet as soon as possible veterinary clinic and get tested.

Methods for diagnosing pathology

When presenting complaints and describing the symptoms of the disease, the veterinarian conducts a visual examination and palpation of the bladder. To detect, clarify the localization and determine the shape, size of stones, radiography or ultrasound is prescribed. In order to establish the type of calculus, a urine test is prescribed. To reveal pathological processes, which accompany the ICD, conduct a blood and urine test for salts, the number of leukocytes, bakposev.

Urine for analysis should be fresh and warm. Cooling the solution causes crystals to precipitate, and long-term storage distorts test results. In the presence of pathogenic microflora, the sensitivity of microorganisms to various groups of antibiotics is determined in order to choose the most effective medicine. In emergency cases, cystoscopy, cystography may be required. After clarifying the diagnosis, the doctor develops a treatment strategy.

Methods of therapy for KSD

Treatment for kidney stones in dogs A complex approach and the use of one or more treatments. Conservative therapy includes the following:

• Medical treatment. The animal is prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, drugs that increase diuresis, painkillers and sedatives.
• The use of physiotherapy methods, for example pulse magnetotherapy, allows you to facilitate the outflow of urine, relieves the inflammatory process, "crushes" some stones, relieves pain.
• Special diet and normalization of the drinking regimen. Today, many leading companies produce specialty food. For example, wet food Urinary S/O or Urinary U/C by ROYAL CANIN. The marking shows for prevention what types of urates the food is intended for. So S / O - from oxalate or struvite urolitase, and U / C - from urate and cystine stones. For small dogs most at risk of disease, Urinary S/O has been developed. small dog under 10kg.

To remove stones and sand from the dog's urinary system, urinary rinsing and urine output using a catheter are used. With severe kidney failure dialysis is carried out - purification of the animal's blood from toxins. If a conservative therapy does not help, the removal of stones is carried out by surgical methods:

• Urethrostomy - removal of stones through the stoma - an opening in the urethra. Once the patency is restored, the stoma remains open until the dog stabilizes.
• Cystotomy - opening of the urinary and complete removal stones that cannot be removed by less traumatic methods.
• Retrograde urohydropropulsion is an operation in which stones that have blocked the urethral cavity are pushed into the bladder.

During the rehabilitation period, supportive treatment is carried out. With the help of droppers, the volume of fluid is replenished, anti-inflammatory drugs are administered. The recovery process is monitored by dynamic urine and blood tests. After the therapy or to prevent genitourinary disease in dogs, pathology is prevented.

Disease Prevention Measures

In order to avoid the risk of recurrence of the disease or to prevent the disease in risk groups, it is necessary to exclude factors that causing violation metabolism:

• Normalize food. Use food with a high percentage moisture (70-80%), low content phosphorus, sodium, calcium, protein. Premium and super-premium ready-to-eat foods contain substances that maintain normal urine pH and help dissolve certain types of calculi. The diet is used for life, both after conservative and after surgical treatment.
• Provide access to clean soft (filtered) water. In the hot period of time, water the dog during walks.
• Do not overfeed the animal - obesity contributes to the formation of stones.
• When feeding dry food, there should be plenty of clean water next to the bowl.
• The animal must be provided with adequate exercise stress- games, walks.
• Examine the animal in time and sanitize all foci of infection, treat pathological abnormalities and ailments.

Prevention of urolithiasis and proper treatment provide the animal with a healthy long life.

Lower urinary tract infections are not uncommon in dogs. Approximately 15 individuals out of 100 suffer from urolithiasis (urolithiasis or ICD abbreviation). Pet owners just need to remember the main signs this disease and what to do in the first place to help cope with the disease faster.

What you need to know about kidney stones in dogs

• With this pathology, salt stones can form in any of the organs of the urinary system. The bladder suffers most often, because. urine accumulates in it and sand settles most conveniently.
• The following types of stones are found in dogs: cystine, struvite, phosphate, and oxalate. The latter are considered the most unpleasant - they grow rapidly and are difficult to treat (more often than others they are removed surgically). One individual can form several varieties of stones at once.
• Most often, struvites are recorded in dogs, the cause of which is chronic inflammation in the bladder, and not nutritional errors, as is the case with cats.
• In dogs, the cause of urolithiasis is not always a metabolic disorder.
• The presence of sand and stones causes inflammation in the bladder, injury, bleeding and blockage.
• Most often, KSD is asymptomatic in dogs, so it is important to periodically take a routine urinalysis so as not to miss the disease and not aggravate the condition of the excretory system. The main symptom of the disease - a violation of urination, up to its termination - occurs even when the condition is critical, and the pathology is running.
• The risk group consists mainly of small breeds: Yorkies, Schnauzers, Dalmatians, Shih Tsu, Pekingese, toy poodles, english bulldogs and etc.
• When making a diagnosis of KSD, the types of stones / sand must be determined, otherwise the treatment will be ineffective. For this, additional examinations are always carried out - X-ray, ultrasound, a detailed analysis of blood and urine.
• More often, middle-aged individuals and males get sick, because. they have a long urethra and are more likely to block it with a stone or excess sand.

Why does this pathology develop?

It is impossible to name an unambiguous reason, in order to say for sure that it was because of this that the pathology arose. But there are a number of predisposing factors:

1. Any long-term infections urogenital area including kidneys. Such diseases change the composition of blood and urine, shifting their acidity. Against this background, precipitation often begins to form in the form of sand and the formation of stones.
2. Violation of the balance of feeding the dog. Usually the fault is cheap dry food and mixing of ready-made industrial feeds with natural food. All this adds to the work load. gastrointestinal tract, which is constantly in a state of adjusting to a certain food, working for wear and tear in the literal sense.
3. Bad water or general lack of drinking. Often the tap water most commonly given to pets contains high content salts. It is they who in the body provoke the accumulation of insoluble sediments in the bladder and / or in the kidneys. With insufficient intake of fluid in the body, the urine becomes more concentrated and may precipitate.
4. Inactivity. Dogs should actively move, run, play - this is the prevention of urinary stagnation. You also need to regularly walk your pet so that he does not endure and relieves his needs in a timely manner. With long-term patience, nature has laid the crystallization of urine, so that it would be easier for the animal to endure. These crystals are then transformed into sand and stones.
5. Obesity - an increased load on cardiovascular system and excretory. Fluid in the body stagnates, and urine begins to deteriorate.
6. genetic predisposition. There are a number of pathologies that are inherited by offspring, which go inextricably with the ICD.
7. Metabolic disorders against the background of disorders of the liver, pancreas, etc.

The manifestation of the disease - what to look for

Depending on the severity of the disease clinical manifestations can be divided into several degrees of manifestation:

• Subclinical or asymptomatic. This is the period of the disease when there are no outward manifestations, and stones and sand can only be detected using an X-ray or ultrasound. And these studies are driven by urinalysis, where there is a change in the pH of the urine (in any direction) and the precipitation of crystals.

• mild form of the disease. Outwardly, it often manifests itself as a slight malaise and classic signs of general malaise:
  • the number of times the pet asks to go to the toilet increases;
  • slight hematuria - the appearance of droplets of blood in the urine, which slightly change its color to pink;
  • the dog pisses longer than usual, may whine in the process, take unnatural poses, stagnate in the process;
  • long and carefully licks the genitals;
  • a slight increase in body temperature is possible if an infectious inflammation develops.

• Severe manifestations follow mild:
  • the dog constantly has traces of urine droplets in the perineum, which indicates constant involuntary urination. Also, traces of urine are found throughout the housing where the pet lives;
  • there is obvious blood in the urine;
  • the pet constantly whines, especially when he tries to go “a little”, you can see how he strains for this;
  • you can feel an enlarged (overcrowded) bladder, tk. the outflow of urine is difficult;
  • the animal looks depressed, emaciated, there is no appetite, and even the favorite treat does not attract;
  • may be thirsty;
  • possible fever if there are signs of infections.

• Urgently see a doctor with the following signs (threatening symptoms):
  • urine does not pass at all;
  • signs of dehydration, general exhaustion;
  • weakness, coma (the animal almost constantly lies, reacts poorly to the nickname or does not react at all);
  • the bladder, when probing the abdominal wall, may be crowded, large, tense and painful, or may not be felt at all if it has ruptured;
  • general signs of intoxication from the entry of urinary substances into the blood (vomiting, nausea, convulsions);
  • the pet may fall into a coma in a particularly serious condition;
  • body temperature usually drops below 37.5°C.

Competent treatment directly depends on how correctly the veterinarian assesses the degree of manifestation of urolithiasis in a dog by symptoms.

Owner First Aid

• If signs of illness are found, the animal must be taken to the veterinarian to find out what is wrong.
• If critical signs of the disease are detected - lack of urination, blood in urine drops, coma - take the pet to a specialist immediately.
• Self-medication is prohibited! An exception is the removal of spasm and pain if it is not possible to deliver the pet to the clinic immediately (no-shpa, papaverine or baralgin intramuscularly at a dose of up to 0.5 ml of a solution intramuscularly into the thigh).

Treatment

It should be noted right away: there is no universal treatment for all dogs with KSD!!! There are certain schemes that are formed from generally accepted drugs, but strictly individually, depending on what type of stones the pathology was complicated by.

Important: the treatment is carried out until it is canceled by a specialist on the result of tests and examination. It is forbidden to stop treatment on your own against the background of a visible improvement in the condition!

The main treatment measures include:

1. Maintenance of cardiac activity in a critical state:
   • cordiamine: 1-3 drops per tongue (depending on the size of the animal) or intramuscularly 0.1 ml/kg;
   • sulfocamphocaine: 0.5-2 ml of a solution by any injection method up to 2 times a day. Do not exceed the dosage of 2 ml!
2. Catheterization, which restores the outflow of urine, pushing stones back into the bladder or retrograde washing of the urethral canal;
3. The use of antispasmodic drugs:
   • atropine: 0.5 ml twice a day at the withers subcutaneously;
   • no-shpa, papaverine hydrochloride: 0.5 ml 2-3 times a day intramuscularly.
4. Anesthesia:
   • baralgin: 0.75 ml / 10 kg intramuscularly to relieve pain at this particular point in time;
   • analgin: 0.1 ml of solution for each kg of body weight up to 2 times a day (not more often than after 10-12 hours) and not longer than 3 days;
   • pentalgin: ¼ tab. / 10 kg of body weight symptomatically;
   • novocaine blockade in lumbar region to relieve pain from renal colic(only carried out by a specialist).
5. Hemostatic therapy:
   • dicynone (etamsylate): for a dog weighing up to 5 kg is ¼ tab., if more, then ½ tab. for the same 5 kg of weight or intramuscularly 0.1 mg / kg of body weight twice a day.
6. Antibiotic therapy (it is forbidden to use Gentamicin!):
   • furagin: inside ½-1 tab. depending on the size of the pet, 2-3 times a day after feeding for 5-7 days;
   • furadonin: daily dose 5-10 mg active substance for each kg of weight, which is divided into 2-4 doses per day, the course is 7-10 days;
   • neopen (if pus is found in the urine): 1 ml / 10 kg of weight into the muscle or subcutaneously once a day for a course of 3-4 days.
7. Detoxification (infusion) therapy restores the state of the body against the background of dehydration and promotes the elimination of toxic substances against the background of urinary stagnation:
   • vetavit: the contents of 1 sachet are divided into two parts and given with milk or food in the morning and evening for 1.5-2 weeks;
   • a mixture of 100-200 ml of Ringer-Locke and 5-10 ml of 40% glucose subcutaneously or intravenously in the form of a dropper;
   • nelit: 50 ml of solution is taken per 1 kg of weight twice a day, in critical condition 8-10 ml / kg every 4 hours.
8. Elimination of the general inflammatory process with complex preparations for urolithiasis:
   • Urodan (about 460 rubles / 100 g bottle): 1 tsp. solution is dissolved in 100-125 ml of water and fed to the dog. Multiplicity - up to 3 times a day.
   • Stop cystitis (up to 165 rubles / pack): 1 tab. or 2 ml of solution inside with a dog weighing up to 5 kg, 2 tab. or 3 ml - if more. Give within a week. Then reduce to a single dacha also during the week.
   • Uro-ursi (up to 180 rubles/pack of 14 capsules): 1 capsule if the dog's weight does not exceed 10 kg and 2 capsules if the weight is more than 10 kg. The course is 14 days, one dose per day.
   • Tsistokur forte (up to 1000 rubles / 30 g): twice a day, 2 scoops / 10 kg of body weight for at least 15 days.
   • Urotropin (up to 35 rubles / vial): 2-5 ml orally diluted with water twice a day for 1-1.5 weeks.
   • Healthy kidneys "Fitoelita" (100 rubles / 50 tablets): for adult dogs 1 tablet / 10 kg of weight, for puppies - ½ tab. On the first day or two, give the indicated dose every 2 hours, then switch to a three-time dose and remain at this dosage until the symptoms disappear + 1 more week to consolidate the result.
   • Ipakitine (1250-1500 rubles): the duration of admission is from 3 to 6 months. 1 measuring spoon goes for every 5 kg of weight along with water or food twice a day.
   • Kantaren (150-180 rubles): the dosage depends on the size of the animal and varies between 1-3 tables. orally or 0.5-4 ml as an injection once a day for 2-4 weeks (but not longer). You can increase the frequency of reception up to 2-3 times a day in severe condition.
   • Urinari Tract Support (800 rubles): give a dog up to 10 kg 2 tablets, up to 30 kg - 3 tablets, more than 30 kg - 4 tablets. with your dog's favorite treat or food. Monitor symptoms - after a persistent disappearance, the reception is stopped (on average 1-2 weeks).
   • Renal-advance (1250 rubles / pack 40 g): for a month, carefully mix into the feed according to the scheme: up to 2.5 kg - 1 small measuring spoon, up to 5 kg - 2, up to 7.5 kg - 3, up to 10 kg - 4, up to 15 kg - 2 large measured portions, up to 25 kg - 3. In some cases, the duration of the intake may be increased by the veterinarian at his discretion.
   • Urolex (up to 260 rubles): three times a day, one hour before feeding, drip on the tongue, 3 drops / kg. Can be slightly diluted with water and poured. Apply no longer than 30 days.
9. Diet therapy, depending on the type of stones detected:
   • the most important rule of a natural diet for a dog with KSD is to reduce the content of protein, phosphorus and calcium in such a way as not to shift the acidity of the urine, not to give an increased burden on the kidneys, but at the same time, so that all this is enough for the dog to live normally.
10. With complete blockage of the urethra and the inability to restore the natural outflow of urine, surgical intervention is recommended. Also shown surgical treatment urolithiasis when stones are detected on ultrasound or x-ray before blockage of the urethral canal. After any operation, the dog continues to be led by a veterinary therapist, because. removing stones is not a cure!

Kidney stones are extremely difficult to surgically remove. One of the ways out of the situation may be the removal of the affected kidney, provided that the remaining one can continue to cope with its functions for two. Otherwise, the animal is doomed to lifelong maintenance therapy and early death.

Question answer

Question:
If urolithiasis in a dog is not treated?

If the identified disease is not treated, then in addition to the formation urinary stones, which can clog the urethra, a chronic inflammatory process, the formation of adhesions and, worst of all, rupture of the bladder can be provoked. The animal may die.

Question:
What and how to feed the dog during the treatment of KSD and after?

Balancing the diet on your own is very difficult, but you can try. Everything will depend on general condition pet, the stage of development of the disease and the type of stones detected.

1. Do not mix natural feed with industrial feed.
2. Try to make the diet as diverse as possible, do not give long time the same food package.
3. With oxalates, offal is completely excluded from the diet, because. they contain derivatives of oxalic acid.
4. In the process of natural feeding, the animal can be watered healing water"Borjomi" and "Essentuki". There should also always be access to clean, purified drinking water.
5. With urates, rich meat and fish broths are excluded (but left boiled fish and meat), sausages, offal. Increase the amount of vegetables, dairy products, eggs and cereals.
6. Dogs are deficient in dietary calcium natural feeding will stimulate the formation of phosphate stones, therefore it is impossible to completely exclude dairy products from the diet (as well as overdo it).
7. It is important to dose portions of food and not to feed often (4-6 times is a lot) so as not to provoke constant urine alkalization. Water should stand constantly, food - no.
8. With any diet, it is important to add vitamin A to the diet - it improves the condition of the internal mucous membrane of the bladder.
9. With the oxalate type of ICD, it is imperative to add vitamin B6 and magnesium to food (wheat bran does this well).
10. Salty, fatty, sweet and fried foods are completely excluded from the diet.

Question:
Therapeutic food for dogs with urolithiasis

It is important to note that when correct selection special pet food cannot be given anything else - even as a reward or treat, otherwise the effect of the diet will be reduced to zero. An appropriate mark is required, which type of animal is intended for food (for example, Royal Canin for dogs). The class must be premium or super-premium. Economy class should be excluded from the diet.

For general prevention and treatment of urolithiasis recommend:

• Royal Cannin Urinary S/O;
• Royal Cannin Urinary;
• Club 4 paws Ph control;
• Pet Time Dog Perfection;
• Urinary S/O Small Dog USD
• Eucanuba Oxalat Urinary Formula
• Hills Prescription Diet™ Canine k/d™

When oxalates are detected:

• Urinary S/O LP18;
• Eucanuba Oxalat Urinary Formula;
• Hills Prescription Diet™ Canine c/d™ Multicare$
• Farmina vet life ossalati

Urate urolithiasis:

• Hill's Prescription Diet U/D/

Cystine urolithiasis:

• Farmina vet life ossalati

For struvite stones:

• Urinary S/O LP18;
• Hill Prescription Diet™ Canine w/d™;
• Hill's Prescription Diet C/D;
• Eukanuba Struvite Urinary Formula;
• Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets UR.

Question:
Surgical treatment of KSD

Surgical treatment of urolithiasis includes the following methods:

• urethrotomy - incision urethra and extracting the stones that clogged it;
• urethrostomy - the formation of a new urethra with frequent inflammatory processes and relapses of pathology;
• cystostomy - opening the bladder, removing stones, washing the cavity from sand, followed by therapeutic therapy;
• removal of stones by laser - crushing stones into smaller fragments in order to remove them naturally by increasing diuresis (the method is rarely used in veterinary medicine due to lack of equipment and the high cost of the procedure);
• the introduction of drugs that dissolve stones in the bladder.

Question:
Is the prevention of urolithiasis effective?

It is possible and necessary to prevent this disease! Necessary:

• monitor the weight of the pet, avoiding obesity;
• pick up proper diet nutrition (especially if there were cases of the disease in the anamnesis);
• regularly show the pet to the veterinarian and take a urine test, because. urolithiasis in dogs is often asymptomatic;
• always give free access to clean drinking water(especially if the pet is fed dry food);
• monitor an excess of protein products when feeding adults;
• monitor the timely emptying of the bladder, not allowing the pet to endure and wait a long time for a walk;
• walking should include at least 3 walks, two of which should be at least 30 minutes, one up to 1 hour;
• do not mix natural nutrition fed with prepared food. Also, do not alternate feeding dry food and wet food;
• give the dog regular, but moderate physical activity - running, active games while walking.

Question:
Is it acceptable to treat ICD with herbs (folk recipes)

Recipes allowed traditional medicine but strictly according to the indications of the veterinarian. It is possible that some herbs are not compatible with the main treatment drugs - it is important not to make the pet worse.

1. Visible pain when trying to urinate is removed with freshly squeezed parsley juice - from 1 tsp. up to 1 tablespoon, depending on the size of the dog, up to 4 times a day.
2. Take 1 g of dry herbs of bearberry, cudweed, immortelle, dandelion, kidney tea, corn stigmas and flax seeds, mix, take 5 g of the mixture, pour 250 ml of boiling water, insist wrapped up to 30 minutes. Give twice a day 30 minutes before or after feeding 1-3 tablespoons, depending on the weight of the dog.
3. Mix 1 tsp. licorice root, dandelions and burdock, flowers chamomile, golden rod and echinacea, horsetail and sage herbs, hop cones. 1 tbsp mixture, pour 500 ml of boiling water and simmer in a water bath for up to 20 minutes. Give 5-10 ml in the morning and evening throughout the treatment of urolithiasis + 2 weeks on top to consolidate the result. With this tool, you need to give the dog a lot to drink - the sand is well washed out of the bladder.

Bladder stones in dogs are a common pathology diagnosed in pets. The owner of the dog will not be able to identify it on his own at the initial stage of the formation of calculi. As a rule, the appearance of typical symptoms that provoke changes in the behavior of the animal is already characteristic for late stages. But the disease, subject to treatment in a veterinary clinic, is treated quite successfully.

Most often, stones form in the cavity of the bladder, somewhat less often in the kidneys.

The photo shows the stones that formed in the dog's bladder.

The main reasons for the development of the disease include:

• Predisposition at the genetic level. If the pet's parents suffered from this pathology, then the risk of developing urolithiasis (UCD) increases several times.
• Dog breed.– bulldogs, etc. - suffer from bladder stones much more often than their "big" counterparts.
• Existing pathologies of other organs and systems. For example, disturbances in the course of metabolic processes, diseases of the kidneys, liver, etc. can be the cause of the formation of calculi.
• Infectious diseases of the urinary tract.

Incorrect feeding of the dog can also provoke ICD. The nutrition of the dog should be balanced, when drawing up the diet, the characteristics of the breed should be taken into account.

Varieties of stones

In the bladder of a dog, different types stones with different composition. In most cases, the composition of stones is represented by crystals of ammonia and magnesium phosphate.. They are called struvites and are formed as a result of a previous bladder infection.

The next type of calculus is urate. Their composition is represented by crystals uric acid. Such stones are formed as a result of a violation of metabolic processes. Most often they are found in bulldogs and, since these breeds are predisposed to them at the genetic level.

With urolithiasis, urate, struvite, or flint stones can form in the dog's bladder.

The third type of stones contains cystine (or calcium oxalate). Next on the list are silicon stones. They are typical for .

You can confirm / refute the presence of stones using x-ray, ultrasound, or intravenous pyelography.

Predisposition of dogs to develop urolithiasis

Veterinarians are of the opinion that there is no predisposition to the disease, as such. Pathology is diagnosed in dogs of all breeds, sizes and ages. But still males aged are sick somewhat more often than young dogs.

At the same time, the disease itself is much more severe than in bitches. This is explained by differences in anatomical structure urinary tract. In bitches, small pebbles and sand pass freely through the lumen of the urethra. But in males, they can linger, due to the presence of an S-shaped bend in the penis. This causes blockage of the lumen of the urethra and the impossibility of urine output, as well as significant intoxication of the body.

Important. On the background similar condition the dog may die as a result of development internal bleeding due to a ruptured bladder.

Factors predisposing to the development of urolithiasis in dogs and pathogenesis

If you have time to take action at the beginning of the development of the disease, the formation of stones can be prevented.

The impetus for the development of the disease is a change in the pH level of urine and its saturation with conditionally soluble salts. And when these two provoking factors "meet", the reaction of precipitation of salt crystals begins.

But it is worth noting that this process is reversible. If at this moment to exclude provoking factors - normalize the diet of the dog, stop taking certain medications- the development of the disease can be stopped. The resulting sand will be removed naturally.

But this is the ideal development. In reality, everything looks a little different. The sand accumulated in the cavity of the bladder begins to injure and irritate the mucous surface. To which the bladder "responds" with the active production of mucus, which acts as glue: the grains gather together, forming a stone of a certain size.

The role of bacterial infections in the development of KSD

It plays an important role in the development of pathology. The reasons are the features of the course of the disease, in particular, an increase in the pH level of urine and its mixing to an alkaline indicator. This causes fallout a large number salts of ammonia and magnesium phosphate - the basis of struvites.

Important. Normally, the pH level of urine in dogs has a neutral reaction, which almost completely eliminates the development of a chemical reaction and the precipitation of salt crystals.

It is important to remember that the existing inflammation causes increased production of mucous secretions. It is he who collects salt crystals into a single formation.

Clinical symptoms of the disease

It is impossible to miss the signs of the disease when the condition of the animal worsens. First of all, in the composition of the urine, the owner of the animal notices blood impurities. The reason for this is the presence of sharp edges in the stones, which injure the walls of the bladder up to a complete rupture.

With urolithiasis, blood appears in the dog's urine due to injury to the bladder mucosa.

The condition is accompanied by the strongest pain syndrome: the dog howls plaintively, whines, from pain he can roll on the floor.

In the case of a complete blockage of the urethra, the accumulation of urine in the bladder causes a significant increase in the bladder, which cannot be missed. The dog literally inflates, and when you try to touch the stomach, the dog begins to react inappropriately. The reason for this is severe pain. If you do not provide the dog with a qualified medical care, then the animal may die from a rupture of the organ and the severe internal bleeding that accompanies it.

A typical sign of ICD is the dog's desire to constantly write. The explanation for this is simple: an irritated bladder requires release. When trying to urinate, the dog may even howl because of severe pain, but at the same time he can not squeeze a drop out of himself.

Important. In rare cases, the disease is asymptomatic, because the stones do not have sharp edges.

Diagnosing Bladder Stones in Dogs

Radiography plays a major role in making a diagnosis. abdominal cavity and the bladder itself. As a rule, calculi are visible quite clearly on the pictures.

On the x-ray stones formed in the cavity of the bladder are clearly visible.

Difficulty in diagnosis is calculi, consisting of missing X-rays salts. In this case, the stones are not reflected in the pictures. To determine the type and size of the calculus, either an x-ray with contrast or an ultrasound scan is performed.

Treatment of the disease

Treatment of pathology in most cases initially involves surgical intervention, since it is rare to dissolve stones by taking medications.

To remove stones from the bladder cavity, the dog is prescribed a cystotomy procedure. The animal is completely immobilized and anesthetized. Then an incision is made in the abdomen and, after gaining access to the bladder, urine is pumped out of it. The next step is the removal of stones directly from the organ. After that, the walls of the bladder are sutured.

After the operation, the dog is prescribed drugs from the category of antibiotics. The caudate patient is released home in a day if the intervention was not accompanied by complications.

Important. The extracted stones are subjected to chemical analysis, which allows the dog owner to adjust the pet's diet.

Pushing stones out of the bladder is carried out only if the stones are small.

The second technique - Urohydropropulsion, translates as "pushing stones":

• The dog receives local anesthesia. Then, by catheterization, his bladder is filled with saline.
• The animal is fixed in vertical position, and the veterinarian, squeezing the dog's stomach, puts pressure on the bladder and pushes the stones out.

The technique is practiced with a small size of stones - they will definitely be able to pass through the lumen of the urethral canal.

If the animal is already aged and may not undergo the operation, it is assigned to ultrasonic crushing of stones. Then the resulting sand is washed out artificially by injecting saline into the bladder.

Treatment of stones with diet

Diet is one of the ways to treat pathology. But it is practiced only if the stones are small and do not interfere with the dog's usual way of life.

Specialized nutrition is aimed at dissolving already formed stones. Diets compiled by veterinarians can contribute to the complete elimination of calculi of any size, but this will take quite a long time: 60 - 150 days.

Important. Therapeutic diets cannot be used as a prevention of stone formation, since it contains a minimal amount of nutrients and micronutrients.

The technique will be contraindicated in the presence of the following diseases:

• with heart disease;
• with renal pathologies.

Compliance with a diet can provoke an exacerbation of chronic conditions.

After the end of the diet, the animal is assigned a second radiology or ultrasound examination in order to evaluate the results of the diet therapy.

If the bladder stones are very small, the dog is given the Urinary diet.

If the stones have been dissolved, then the dog is allowed to be transferred to the usual diet. But it is best to use specialized or Purina for feeding. Manufacturers offer a huge selection of fully balanced medical nutrition for dogs, which allows you to feed them to your pet for quite a long time.

Prevention of the formation of stones in the bladder cavity

If the dog owner does not have the opportunity to transfer to specialized feeds, then the dog's diet must be enriched with vitamin C and dl-methionine. This helps dissolve formed struvite and other types of calculi.

It is also necessary to consult with a veterinarian to help draw up an appropriate menu. And throughout the entire period of treatment of KSD, the dog should receive only these dishes, without exception. Otherwise, it is impossible to obtain the expected therapeutic result.

The dog must have free access to clean water. It should be boiled and settled. But animals are extremely reluctant to drink, and to increase fluid intake, it is recommended to give chicken broths.

A dog suffering from urolithiasis must definitely drink enough water.

The main types of stones and methods of treatment:

Varieties of stones	pH level of urine	Initial treatment	diet therapy	Relapse prevention
Struvites	alkaline	A bacterial infection is being treated. In the presence of large stones, an operation is prescribed.	Nutrition with therapeutic feed Royal Canin and Purina.	Royal Canin Control Royal Canin Urinary
Oxalates	Sour	Surgical removal		Royal Canin or Purina
Urats	Sour	Surgical removal		Foods that promote alkalization of urine

It is important to remember the following: dogs that receive only dry food almost always suffer from bladder stones by the eighth year of life.

Bladder stones are a very dangerous disease for dogs. Treatment folk remedies absolutely unacceptable, as it can lead to deterioration and death of the pet. When symptoms typical of ICD appear, the dog must be shown to the veterinarian, who will select the appropriate therapy for the current state.

Urolithiasis in dogs: causes

Urolithiasis in dogs occurs for a number of reasons. For example, due to insufficient water intake, high concentrations of certain minerals and other crystalline substances can form in the urine, which precipitate out to form crystals. Gradually, they turn into real stones that cause discomfort and pain to the dog when urinating.

There are several factors that increase the risk of developing kidney stones. Some specific breeds (Dalmatians and Newfoundlands, as well as many small breeds) have a genetic predisposition to kidney stones; in addition, serious feeding disorders often play a role.

The greatest importance should be given to age: in the risk group, animals older than 6 years. In these dogs, in addition to the bladder, the kidneys may also suffer: the development of nephrocalcinosis can lead various diseases these organs. Ethylene glycol poisoning (contained in antifreeze, brake fluids, used as a paint thinner), as well as hypervitaminosis D, an excess of vitamin D in the body, can also lead to kidney stones.

Urolithiasis is not always easy to recognize, so be sure to take your adult dog for regular checkups. veterinarian. However, there are several signs by which you can determine that your pet has health problems.

Urolithiasis in dogs: symptoms

First, take a closer look at the dog before walking. If the animal has become too active to ask to use the toilet, and much earlier than your usual walk time, this is an alarming symptom.

Secondly, pay attention to how the dog goes to the toilet. If the animal began to experience anxiety during urination, does it often and in small portions, then it hurts. In rare cases, when the dog's kidney and bladder stones have grown to an impressive size, he may whine while urinating.

If a adult dog, distinguished by exemplary behavior, suddenly emptied her bladder at home, do not rush to scold her. This is also one of the signs that the animal may be suffering from kidney stones. The most striking sign is the appearance of blood in the urine. This indicates the need for an urgent visit to the doctor.

Treatment of urolithiasis in dogs is conservative in most cases. Operations are prescribed only for those animals in which stones block the urinary ducts, which is deadly and requires immediate surgical intervention.

In other cases, the task of the veterinarian is to dissolve the stones in the bladder. As a rule, the course is prescribed special preparations changing chemical composition urine, as well as stimulating frequent urination.

Together with the pills, the doctor prescribes special diet, which should be followed not only during treatment, but also after its completion. Urolithiasis is known frequent relapses if the owner does not change the diet of the animal after the first exacerbation.

A veterinarian prescribes a diet not only for sick dogs, but also for healthy ones - for prevention. Its essence lies in maintaining the correct level of salts in the body of the animal, so that conditions are not created for the appearance of new stones. To get started, watch the water in the bowl: change it at least twice a day. Make sure the water is pre-filtered.

Secondly, decide on food. Many diets for adult animals are developed by specialists taking into account the high risk of developing urolithiasis. Choose special lines of such foods, such as ROYAL CANIN ® Urinary.

Also, take your pets for walks more often. Studies show that dogs that lead a more active lifestyle have a lower risk of developing urolithiasis. This is especially true for males, which need to be taken for a walk at least three times a day.

Finally, take your dog to the veterinarian regularly. Animal pain threshold higher than that of a person, so that it will not immediately begin to show anxiety and show its pain. So prevention proper nutrition And a timely trip to a specialist is the best treatment.

Unfortunately, few breeders will look closely at how the act of urination proceeds in his pet. By the course of the act of urination in an animal, you can tell a lot about his health. For example, it is possible to identify bladder stones in a dog in time, without waiting until uroliths do something serious with the genitourinary system. And the consequences of this pathology, by the way, can be extremely serious. It is not uncommon for even deaths to occur.

By the way, where are you from? After all, anatomically, their presence of these neoplasms in the body of a dog is not provided for in any way! Everything is simple. Today it is considered that leads to the formation of uroliths an increased concentration in the urine of substances that can precipitate with a combination of some special factors. Typically, this occurs when basic norms and animals: for example, in dogs that have been “sitting” on a diet of dry food all their lives, the development of uroliths is a very likely outcome.

It all starts with the precipitation of a small amount of crystalline sediment directly in the cavity of the organs of the urinary system. Over time, these crystals combine, mixing with the catarrhal secretion synthesized by the walls of the organ, resulting in the formation of larger conglomerates.

There are cases when real stones were taken out of the bladder of unfortunate dogs, the size of which exceeded eight centimeters in girth! Given that these stones do not have rounded edges, one can only imagine how painful it was for these animals during their lifetime ...

Varieties

By the way, the term "bladder stones" is not entirely correct, since uroliths can form anywhere in the urinary system. And, by the way, in many cases, their presence in the tubules is much more dangerous. Such neoplasms develop in the kidneys, ureters, urethra and, of course, in the bladder. It is believed that in about 85% of cases they are in the latter. It must be understood that bladder stones can be formed from various compounds, and how clinical picture and practiced treatments.

So, veterinarians distinguish the following varieties: struvite, formed by ammonium phosphate salts, as well as oxalates and urates. The last two may include: calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, cystine, ammonium urate and others chemical compounds. To be fair, we note that in wild nature"rarely found" canonical "samples. Much more often, it is difficult to attribute a stone to any one type, since, in fact, it is a combination of all of the above salts. Because of this, it can be difficult to prescribe treatment, and it is difficult to identify "guests" in the bladder.

About the predisposition of animals

Officially, it is believed that predisposition, as such, does not exist. can be detected in dogs of any gender, age, breed. And this is true: unlike cats, the Himalayan and Burmese breeds of which are noticeably more likely to suffer from stones in the urinary system, no such pattern has been identified in any of the varieties of dogs.

But still males, and especially old ones, get sick more often. In addition, in males, the disease in many cases is noticeably more severe. It is connected with anatomical features: in females, small stones and sand often come out through the urethra on their own, but in males, due to the presence of an S-shaped bend of the penis, this “garbage” almost always gets stuck in the lumen of the organ. This leads to blockage of the urethra, dysuria (no urine is excreted), severe intoxication. Death is possible either against the background of severe uremia, or due to internal, which appeared as a result of rupture of the walls of the organ. By the way, even the natural exit of stones from the bladder is fraught with such consequences: along the way, they damage the mucous membranes, tear blood vessels.

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Predisposing factors and pathogenesis of the disease

It all starts with a sharp change in the pH level of urine and the level of its saturation with soluble (relatively) salts of magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, etc. In the case when both of these factors act simultaneously, the precipitation of a crystalline precipitate begins. It is important to note here that this process is not chain reaction. If at this moment the diet, feeding conditions are normalized, the dog stops taking any medications(tetracycline, for example, can provoke urolithiasis), then the development of the pathology stops. In many cases a small amount of the resulting sand is simply excreted into the external environment with urine.

But, unfortunately, this is not always the case. When a lot of sand accumulates in the cavity of an organ, it begins to strongly irritate and injure its mucous membrane. As a result, the latter secretes an increased volume of mucous secretion. Connecting with it, the sand "rolls" into conglomerates, from which the stones already known to us are formed.

Causes that influence the appearance of uroliths include: genetic predisposition (not by breed, but by a specific breeding line), the concentration of mineral constituents in the urine, urine pH and the presence bacterial infections urinary system. Separately, I would like to dwell on genetics. French veterinarians proved several years ago that some dogs, regardless of their breed and gender, always have elevated level mineral components. It is quite natural that both the dogs themselves and all their offspring are logical “lucky ones” who are at risk. For this reason, you should be careful when buying purebred puppies and very carefully check their entire pedigree.

Role of bacterial infections

Bacterial bladder infections (that is, cystitis) play an important role in the formation of uroliths, and there are several explanations for this. Firstly, such diseases lead to an increase in the pH level and its departure to the alkaline zone. This may already cause profuse prolapse salts, called , in the case when the animal consumes food with low level pH. Normally, urine should have a neutral reaction, when the likelihood of a chemical reaction is reduced to zero.

But the presence of bacteria is dangerous not only for this. In particular, the waste products of microorganisms themselves can precipitate, stimulating the development of uroliths. In addition, some bacteria synthesize an enzyme called urease. The connection is, if you do not go into subtleties organic chemistry simply breaks down urine into its constituent components. Ammonia is slowly converted to ammonium ions, while carbon dioxide combines with other components to form phosphates. Then, thanks to a chain of chemical reactions, magnesium, always present in the urine, combines with ammonium and phosphate. This is how all the same struvite stones are formed, which we have already written about above.

Remember! Inflammatory reaction, which appeared due to the action of pathogenic microflora, contributes to a sharp increase in the volume of mucous secretion. And he, as we already know, is an important “building” element of stones in genitourinary system animal.

Clinical picture and diagnosis

How to understand that your pet has some problems with the urination organs? Everything is simple. As a rule, in such cases, blood appears in the urine of the animal. This phenomenon is called. Such a pathology develops because the sharp and uneven edges of uroliths tear and injure the mucous membrane of the organ. But hematuria rarely appears on its own: most often it is accompanied by a strong pain reaction.

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The dog howls, whines, rides on its back. In severe cases, when the stones completely block the lumen of the urethra, the urine accumulating in the cavity of the bladder literally “inflates” the organ. Since the volume of an organ in a dog (especially a large one) can be decent, it is quite easy to notice a change in the animal's figure. Looking at the dog with urolithiasis, one can suspect his pregnancy: the dog becomes like a pear.

When the owner tries to touch his stomach, the pet may begin to behave inappropriately, since any touch can cause him severe pain. If you see this in your dog, take him to the vet immediately. Further delay threatens to rupture the bladder and death from generalized internal bleeding.

Enough hallmark urolithiasis is the dog's desire to "make a puddle" anywhere and at any time. Such animals constantly push, trying to squeeze out at least a drop of urine, but they rarely succeed. During a walk, the dog constantly freezes for a long time, pushes, wheezes and howls. Often, animals begin to constantly lick the genital area so that the hair in these places completely sticks together from saliva. In rare cases, the symptoms of urolithiasis are blurred, or they do not appear at all. This happens only when the stones do not have sharp edges, and their presence in the bladder does not interfere with the animal.

Typically, the diagnosis is made using X-ray examination abdominal cavity and directly the bladder. In most cases, the stones are clearly visible on the pictures. Problems begin if the neoplasm consists of substances through which X-rays pass freely, as a result of which nothing remains on the pictures. In this case, there are two ways out: either use contrast radiography, when a contrast solution is injected into the bladder cavity before “shooting”, or ultrasound procedure. After identifying the stones, you need to decide what to do next with the animal.

Therapeutic methods

In most cases, the removal of stones from the bladder is possible only during surgery. The operation is called "cystotomy", which literally means "opening the bladder." In this case, the animal is given full anesthesia, access to the organ is obtained through an incision in the abdominal cavity, it is taken out, urine is aspirated through the catheter. After an incision is made, stones are removed, the bladder cavity is washed with sterile solutions to remove the smallest particles of uroliths.

Urine, by the way, with this technique is collected for additional research, including - inoculation of material on nutrient media. After the intervention, the wall of the bladder is sutured.

The operation is usually easy. the dog is given antibiotics a wide range actions, and after a day in the clinic she is sent home. Stones extracted from the organ are subjected to chemical analysis in order to prevent their appearance later by adjusting the pet's diet.

Sometimes resort to a method known as "Urohydropropulsion". The title can be translated as "pushing out" stones. In this case, the dog is given local anesthesia and her bladder is filled with sterile saline through a catheter. The animal is fixed in the machine, is located in a vertical position and the veterinarian, squeezing the bladder, pressing on the pet's stomach, literally “squeezes out” the stones. But this technique is allowed only in cases where the uroliths are really small, and are guaranteed to pass through the lumen of the urethra and / or catheter.

Sometimes none of these methods can be used in a "pure" form. For example, the dog is old (or simply weakened), the operation is contraindicated for him, but the stones are too large, and it is unrealistic to remove them through the urethra. In such cases, they can be used ultrasonic crushing. The stones are crushed to the state of sand, and only then they are washed by the method described by the tower. Unfortunately, some types of uroliths do not respond well to ultrasonic crushing, and in such situations, other methods have to be found.