Common urolithiasis in dogs: why it appears, how to save a shaggy friend from pathology. Urolithiasis in dogs and cats

Urolithiasis in dogs - occurs in every 15 pets out of a hundred. This problem is quite common and lies in the fact that in the bladder of a dog there are stones of different sizes and shapes. They block the path of the urinary tract, and the dog experiences very severe pain when the dog relieves himself. If the disease is not treated in time, then the disease will begin to progress and this can lead to very tragic consequences. Although the disease itself is considered benign, and after treatment, the pet gets better.

What are the stones in dogs

Stones that become a problem for an animal can appear in any part of the urinary system: kidneys, urinary canals, bladder. And the cause of stony formations are the products of certain substances that accumulate during the life of the dog. Then small stones, along with urine, pass along the walls of the channels and scratch the walls, thereby causing unbearable pain.

Large stones can clog blood vessels and urine, instead of going outside, will collect inside and poison the pet's body. But this is not the main problem. When the urine has nowhere to go, it will begin to break the walls of the vessels and flow into the abdominal cavity.

In addition to stones, sand can accumulate in the urinary system, which is usually excreted, causing discomfort, but the condition of the dog remains satisfactory. Such sand usually appears when the pH value of urine acidity deviates from the norm and shifts to the acid or alkaline side. The pebbles that accumulate in the body of a pet are of the following types:

• Cystins are passed down through the genes through some breeds. This type of stones is typical for dachshunds, bulldogs, korg. But this does not mean that other breeds cannot have such fossils, just that they are much less common.
• Oxalates are the most unpleasant type of stones. They grow very quickly, their shape and size can be anything. And this form of the disease is very difficult to treat.
• Phosphate stones also grow rapidly, but are destroyed by following all the instructions of the veterinarian.
• Struvites are the petrified effects of a number of diseases.

One dog can have several types of stones. Therefore, such procedures can be quite complex. It is possible to treat urolithiasis with folk remedies only in the early stages in order to remove sand from the body. The best thing to do is to contact your veterinarian. Since this is a dangerous disease that can be fatal for your pet.

Causes of urolithiasis

Before treating an animal, it is necessary to find out the cause of the disease. Stones in the urine may appear, based on patterns. Infectious diseases can change the structure of the blood and the chemical composition of the urine. When the balance of the elements begins to break down, some components begin to harden. Particular attention should be paid to sexual diseases. Most often, after them, fossils remain in the bladder.

Improper nutrition also affects the body. A dog needs a certain balance of vitamins and minerals. And if, for example, dog food is combined with ordinary food, this can lead to the deposition of salts and very great pressure on the digestive organs. Therefore, for a dog, it is necessary to balance his diet.

Irregular urination. This reason appears when the owners do not follow the regimen and walk the dog irregularly. The dog develops a reflex (even to stool). And when urine accumulates, the body begins to defend itself and crystallizes the liquid on its own. Obesity due to lack of mobility leads to the fact that the excretory system ceases to cope with all the loads. This causes stagnation of urine - this affects the work of the heart.

Genetic predisposition is associated with various deviations from the norm in the body. For example, deformation of the channels can provoke a delay in urine. Improper structure of organs that affect the genitourinary system can lead to the deposition of fossils.

Although some breeds are more prone to kidney stones, other dogs may also develop these symptoms. But, the risk of falling ill with this particular disease increases significantly if you do not follow the dog's regimen, feed it with anything and let it drink water from dirty sources.

Symptoms of the disease

The problem with this disease is that you can visually notice a change in the behavior of a pet only when the stones have already formed in the urinary system. But the problem is alleviated if the dog is regularly taken to the veterinarian for examination. Ultrasound, for example, can detect signs of urolithiasis in dogs at an early stage.

If your dog is at risk, then regular check-ups will reduce your pet's chance of getting sick. If the dog began to deposit stones in the genitourinary system, then the following symptoms can be observed:

• the dog begins to go to the toilet very often, but at the same time, sometimes he cannot stand the street and does it right in the house;
• each time the amount of urine during emptying changes;
• the color of the urine becomes darker, in the puddle that the pet has made, there are droplets of blood;
• during urination, the animal experiences unbearable pain, whines and may take strange poses;
• when the canal is blocked, the dog may have a fever, the pain becomes simply unbearable, and the dog tries to avoid any touch.

Your pet's urine may emit an unpleasant odor, and its volume decreases. But even with such problems and acute pains, a pet can suffer for years. Therefore, at the slightest sign, you should contact your veterinarian to diagnose.

Diagnosis of the disease

The study of the disease takes place in several stages.

1. The medical history is carefully studied by the veterinarian. If it is not possible to feel the abdomen for stones (this is due to the fact that some animals do not strain it), then the veterinarian proceeds to the next step.
2. Urinalysis is performed to determine the concentration of acidity and alkalinity. Since changes in chemical processes can cause the formation of stones.
3. Fluoroscopy will allow with maximum accuracy to determine the presence of foreign bodies in the urinary system of the dog.

Additionally, the doctor may prescribe an examination for the presence of infectious diseases and assess the general condition of the pet. There are additional methods for diagnosing the disease if the doctor doubts the results:

• culture and sensitivity to determine the presence of the virus in the genitourinary system;
• biochemical analysis of urine, if the usual analysis did not help to identify the disease;
• the contrast of the dye during the study of x-rays allows you to find stones that the device could not detect;
• analysis of the mineral composition of stones allows you to determine the nature of the disease.

Treatment of the disease

After the diagnosis has confirmed the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes treatment for urolithiasis in dogs. Common methods are to artificially expel urine through a catheter. For this, the following types of drugs are prescribed:

• antispasmodics;
• painkillers;
• antibiotics (in rare cases);
• special diet.

These funds are applied first. The dog is undergoing treatment, and the owner monitors the general condition of the pet. But even if the diagnosis was made correctly and the pet was treated on time, generally accepted methods do not always help in the presence of some forms of the disease.

Innovative methods are used if conventional therapy has not worked. And one of these methods is the method of pulsed magnetotherapy. The effectiveness of this method is to split the stones without performing surgery. In addition, this approach allows not only to relieve inflammation, but also to reduce the pain threshold.

As an additional treatment, some doctors may prescribe a complex of homeopathic remedies. But you cannot completely rely on such a method, but as an auxiliary tool it fully justifies itself.

Another way to treat the disease is hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches). This method of treatment helps well in the early stages. This approach is well used as a rehabilitation tool. Pets with diseased kidneys will benefit from this therapy. If urolithiasis in dogs has led to consequences (for example, organic kidney damage), then the method of peritoneal dialysis is used. This approach does not break down the stones, but treats the consequences after a severe form of the disease.

Surgical intervention is performed only when the disease is very advanced and the dog suffers from unbearable pain for a long time. If the urethra is completely blocked, then even magnetotherapy may not help. And in this case, if a surgical operation is not performed, the dog may experience a rupture of the bladder.

Urethromy is a type of surgery in which the dog's urethra is cut in the place where the stones have been deposited. All clogged vessels are freed from all types of deposits. And until the wound heals, the dog defecates through the catheter. But the technique has its downside. The urethra may narrow in the area of ​​the incision, which increases the risk of re-occlusion of the channels.

Urethrostomy - this type of surgery is to create a permanent urethra. Sometimes, in order to save the life of a pet, males cut off the penis. Owners may opt out of castration, but there is a possibility that the urethra may become overgrown over time.

Cystostomy is performed if either many small stones are present in the bladder, or there are very large specimens. In this case, the bladder is cut, all foreign bodies are removed, and the cavity is washed. The next 2 to 3 days the animal recovers while the wounds heal and urination returns to normal. The complexity of the operation sometimes depends on the qualifications of the surgeon and the neglect of the disease, but in any case, the pet must continue to be taken for examination. If the symptoms recur, then you need to re-treat.

Prevention of urolithiasis in dogs

There are no germs in tap water. It is usually chlorinated. But, if there is an increased content of salts in the composition of the water, this can cause clogging of blood vessels. Therefore, during a walk, you need to ensure that the pet does not drink water in unfamiliar sources, in puddles after rain. The dog should always have water in the bowl, even in winter. And it is always better to take a bottle of water and a bowl for a walk.

Diet for urolithiasis is a balanced diet. Each breed has its own diet. In specialized stores there are ready-made feeds with the right set of all the necessary minerals, vitamins and nutrients. But, if you feed your pet food from the table or buy all the products at the bazaar separately, then the veterinarian should explain what food is best for this breed.

Remember! The dog is a predator. He has a program in his genes - to eat as much as he likes. That is, in the wild, he must eat everything that he killed before a stronger predator came. But a domestic animal is fundamentally different from a wild animal. But this program still works. Therefore, he will eat as much as he will be given. Therefore, the dog should not be overfed. On the Internet there is information about the daily norm of all breeds. In addition, it is recommended to exclude from the menu: any sweets, pickles, sausage, fish only boiled once a week.

The dog must be walked at least 3 times a day. Otherwise, urine in the body will stagnate. After all, bowel movement is one of the most important moments in the life of a pet. Therefore, if you have an irregular working day, or do not have enough time for walks, you need to reconsider your schedule or not get a pet at all.

The load on the dog's body must be adequate. There are breeds that need to constantly move. And for some pets, regular walks will be enough. But they should not lie all day, but at the same time, pets should not be overloaded with physical exercises. Long, but leisurely walks are better suited for sick animals. The run must be even. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the dog does not make sudden movements, does not jump or overcome obstacles. Overloading the body can lead to sharp and acute pain.

Regular examination is carried out in order to identify the cause before the disease began to progress. To diagnose urolithiasis, it is necessary to take a urine test once every six months. But if the dog is already sick, then such prophylaxis should be done once every 3-4 months.

Tablet prophylaxis can be prescribed by a doctor. This is done to prevent relapse and to protect the pet itself in the first place. Therefore, all instructions of a specialist must be followed. Since apparent improvements may be temporary, do not forget about it.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that urolithiasis in dogs can be treated, its symptoms give the pet a lot of trouble. If the treatment is started, then it can lead to the death of the animal. Also, do not forget that severe forms of the disease are treated exclusively by surgical methods, and sometimes this leads to castration of males. Therefore, it is much easier to carry out preventive measures to prevent the disease and relapse than to treat the animal.

The formation of stones in the urinary tract is possible in dogs of different breeds and of any age, but older animals suffering from metabolic disorders are most susceptible to the disease. As in humans, this disease can have various causes in dogs.

Stone formation in the urinary tract, or urolithiasis, in dogs has some peculiarities. Unlike humans, dogs are more likely to form stones (stones) in the bladder or ureters than in the kidneys. Kidney lesions occur within 10% of all cases. The remaining number of diseases is dominated by stones in the bladder and in the urethra (urethra).

Causes of the disease

There are several types of stones that occur with urolithiasis in dogs:

1. Struvites. They are the most common - up to 70% of cases.
2. Oxalates - up to 20% of diseases. This type of stones is considered one of the most dangerous, as even ultrasound and laser do not cope well with them.
3. Urates. These stones are less common than others.
4. cystine.
5. Xanthines.
6. Mixed stones.

The reasons why urolithiasis appears are diverse and are divided into external and internal. External causes are related to the nutrition of the animal: the composition of the water that is given to the dog, the level of its mineralization, food, its composition, salinity level, the predominance of protein, and so on.

Internal causes are failures in the normal functioning of the organs and systems of the dog's body, that is, metabolic disorders, inflammatory processes in the urinary tract, genetic pathologies, problems with the functions of the parathyroid glands and other hormonal disorders, porto-caval shunt, and so on.

Neglect of the owners of the needs of the animal, for example, insufficient water, due to which the animal suffers from dehydration, regular overflow of the bladder due to untimely walking of the dog, kidney disease that occurs due to hypothermia, if the pet sleeps on cold floor, in drafts, in an uninsulated booth outside the house.

Short-haired animals and "naked" dogs should be walked in the cold in special warm blankets or overalls to protect the kidneys. Any cold can cause impaired kidney function, and this already becomes a reason for the development of inflammation and the formation of stones.

Which breeds are more susceptible

Different breeds tend to form different types of urinary stones:

1. Struvite stones, being the most common, occur in middle-aged dogs (4-6 years old). Miniature schnauzers, beagles, Scottish terriers, dachshunds, poodles and Pekingese are more prone to the formation of this type of stones. Interestingly, stones of this type occur more often in females than in males, they are accompanied by infection, urine has an alkaline reaction.
2. Oxalate stones are more common in older dogs - 7–8 years old, more in males than females. Miniature Schnauzers, Yorkshire Terriers, "chrysanthemum dogs" Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso are most susceptible. The inflammatory process is rare, the urine reaction is acidic.
3. Urate stones most often torment Dalmatians suffering from a genetic disorder of purine metabolism. Young animals get sick, but in principle any age can be. Young dogs with portal blood flow disorders - miniature schnauzers, Irish wolfhounds, Yorkshire terriers, Maltese lapdogs, Australian shepherds and Cairn terriers - under the age of 12 months are also prone to the formation of urates. More than others, males with acidic urine are susceptible to the disease.
4. Cystine stones occur with cystinuria, stone formation is not always observed, males aged 1.5 to 5 years suffer. At risk are Chihuahuas, English Bulldogs, Irish Terriers, Dachshunds, Yorkshire Terriers. The reaction of urine is most often acidic.

It cannot be said that there are breeds of dogs that are not prone to the development of urolithiasis. It can manifest itself in certain circumstances in dogs of any breed and age.

Main symptoms

The most common signs of the disease include the following:

1. Frequent urination. The dog not only begins to ask to go out very often, but can also “fill a puddle”, even if this is an adult animal and the like has not been noticed before.
2. Pain while passing urine. The dog squeals and whines while urinating, after that it takes a long time to come to its senses, does not want to play, run, tries to lie down and even hide away from people.
3. The appearance in the urine of traces of blood, sand or pus, if the disease is accompanied by an acute inflammatory process.
4. Obstruction of the urinary tract, which can lead to toxicity and kidney failure.
5. Symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy in dogs with porto-caval shunts.
6. The animal reacts painfully to touch to the renal part of the back and to the lower half of the abdomen. In an acute condition, it can growl and even be able to bite the owner if he accidentally hurts.

If the stones are in the kidneys or in the upper part of the ureters without blocking them, they may go unnoticed for a long time. The disease does not give itself away, and at this time a chronic one develops.

Diagnostics in a veterinary clinic

If the dog shows signs of urolithiasis, or there is a suspicion of it, it is necessary to undergo the following examinations and tests at the veterinary clinic:

1. Abdominal ultrasound.
2. X-ray to identify stones with radiopaque abilities.
3. Excretory urography or double contrast cystography if the diagnosis is unclear.
4. General and biochemical analysis of blood.
5. General urine analysis.
6. Bacterial culture of urine.

After removing the stones, it is necessary to conduct their study.

Method of treatment and prognosis

The method of treating the disease depends on the condition of the animal and on whether there is an infringement of the ureter or urethra with stones. If possible, the veterinarian chooses drug therapy. To do this, drugs and manipulations are used to crush and dissolve stones, as well as anti-inflammatory and painkillers, other medicines necessary to treat the disease and eliminate symptoms.

The stone stuck in the urethra is pushed back into the bladder, catheterization is performed with a special thin catheter, urethrotomy (dissection of the urethra to remove the calculus) or urethrostomy (the formation of a stoma from the wide part of the urethra, that is, the removal of the urethra into the perineum between the scrotum and anus).

Stones returned from the urethra to the bladder or formed in it, which have fallen from the ureter, are removed surgically using cystostomy, that is, opening the bladder.

Oxalate stones require a special approach. They do not dissolve with special preparations and influences, moreover, they have a special structure. If they form in the kidneys, they take the form of the renal pelvis and can completely block the organ, which leads to its death. This threatens not only health, but also the life of the dog.

What to do at home

Treatment of urolithiasis is long and rather complicated. If the animal is scheduled for surgery, the first time it will be under observation in the clinic. When the veterinarians are convinced that everything is fine with the dog, they will let her go home. At home, the animal is provided with complete rest, warmth, proper nutrition in compliance with a special diet prescribed by a veterinarian for a particular type of stones.

In the presence of an inflammatory process or in the postoperative period, the dog is prescribed a course of antibiotic therapy. Treatment of the disease is long, up to several months, and in the chronic course of urolithiasis with kidney damage - for life.

After bougienage, ultrasonic crushing of stones or surgery, the animal must be regularly brought for checks at the veterinary clinic in order to ensure positive treatment results and prevent recurrence of the disease.

At home, the most important thing for a dog is diet and adequate, but not excessive consumption of clean drinking water, as well as protection from hypothermia and infections.

In the presence of struvite, diets with restriction of protein, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus are used. With urates, the amount of proteins and purines in food is cut. Cystine stones also reduce proteins. Oxalate stones require elimination of hypercalcemia if the veterinarian has concluded that there is a similar problem.

Possible Complications

The presence of urolithiasis threatens with various complications, depending on where the stones are located. If the stones block the ureter or urethra, this leads to an acute attack with severe pain. If the stone has sharp edges, damage to the walls of the urethra or ureter is possible. In this case, only urgent hospitalization and surgical intervention can save the life of the animal.

Kidney stones are a potential threat to the development of many diseases: from chronic renal failure, nephritis and pyelonephritis, inflammation of the renal pelvis to complete kidney failure.

If an infection joins the urolithiasis, it can be carried through the bloodstream throughout the dog's body and cause serious harm to the health of many organs, including the heart. With an extremely unfavorable course of the disease, the dog is threatened by sepsis - a general blood poisoning.

Prevention measures

The main measure for the prevention of the development of urolithiasis is the observance of a correct balanced diet, designed for the age of the animal. You can’t feed the dog from your table, especially give it salty food, smoked meats, marinades, pickles and sweets, pastries.

Unnatural food leads to the development of many diseases, including obesity, diabetes, problems with the joints and blood vessels, as well as the formation of kidney stones.

The dog must be protected from colds, as hypothermia contributes to the inflammatory process in the kidneys and in the genitourinary system as a whole. This provokes numerous problems, including the ability to become a trigger for stone formation.

You can’t force the dog to “endure” for a long time, you need to take it outside regularly, at least twice a day. Overfilling the bladder also leads to inflammation and the formation of stones.

Proper nutrition, a healthy lifestyle and the attentive attitude of the owners will help to maintain good health for any pet, regardless of its age and breed.

Definitions of the concept " urolithiasis disease"You can give a lot. Simply put, its essence is this - due to metabolic disorders in the body of dogs and cats, stones are formed in the urine and urinary tract, called uroliths or calculi.

Urine is a complex solution, which is a necessary medium for removing metabolic products from the body. Metabolism products (urea and creatinine), minerals (calcium, magnesium, phosphates), electrolytes (sodium and potassium), water are excreted in the urine, urine pH varies depending on the homeostatic maintenance of acid-base balance. Any deviation from the norm can lead to the development of urolithiasis in animals. Mechanical blockage of the urinary tract with calculi is the cause of urolithiasis. Stones can form in both the kidneys and the urinary tract, but the clinical symptoms of urolithiasis are associated with urinary tract disease.

Diagnosis. Urolithiasis is established when stones are found in fresh urine, in the bladder by means of ultrasound or X-ray examination and the detection of stones during the operation to remove them. The presence of stones in urine that has stood for more than an hour does not give grounds to conclude that urolithiasis, since uroliths can precipitate as a result of natural chemical reactions.

Uroliths vary greatly in composition - from homogeneous (cystin) to a complex mixture of minerals and even minerals and proteins. They also differ in appearance - from soft deposits of sandy material (mucoid plugs), which are mainly observed in cats and consist of a protein-like shell filled with mineral content, to hard, smooth or uneven stones, consisting mainly of minerals and small matrices. We will not describe in detail the properties of each of the stones, this is not the purpose of this article. Fellow veterinarians involved in an in-depth study of this problem can refer to the relevant guidelines.

The formation of stones occurs for the following reasons:

1. If the concentration of the components of the urolith in the urine is higher than the possibility of their dissolution and excretion without the formation of a crystal.
2. Some types of crystals are sensitive to urine pH. So, struvites are formed only in alkaline urine (PH> 7.0). Calcium oxalates are generally not sensitive to urine pH.
3. The formation of large crystals that can cause obstruction (blockage) of the urinary tract should occur very quickly, because. with the slow formation of crystals, they are washed out of the bladder without having time to do harm.
4. The presence of a core (base) to start the formation of a large urolith. It can be the remains of cells, suture material, bacteria and, according to some reports, viruses.
5. Some bacterial infections can contribute to the development of urolithiasis. Thus, some bladder infections contribute to the development of struvite-type urolithiasis in dogs (especially in bitches and puppies of the first year of life).

Clinical symptoms of urolithiasis

The presence of uroliths in the urinary tract can cause clinical symptoms that the pet owner may or may not notice. This is especially true for cats, as they hide from the owners and their act of urination is not always seen by the owners. The main clinical symptom is the impossibility of the natural act of urination or urination is difficult.

In this case, the animal often sits down (cats, cats, females) or raises its paw (males), tries to urinate, whines, cries, urine is excreted in drops, often with blood.

Abdominal palpation establishes the presence of a filled bladder. This procedure can always be performed in cats; in dogs, it is sometimes extremely difficult to palpate the abdominal wall due to tense powerful muscles of the abdominal wall.

There are several degrees of urolithiasis:

1. subclinical urolithiasis. Symptoms associated with the presence of uroliths in the urinary tract may be absent. Struvite, calcium oxalate, and other calcium-containing uroliths are radioopaque and show up on x-rays. Urinalysis may show elevated crystals and abnormal urine pH. These uroliths are usually struvite and sometimes calcium oxalate. Calcium oxalate stones often have a very uneven surface and can cause symptoms (mild to severe) of urinary tract inflammation, while smooth struvites or cystines often do not cause clinical symptoms at all. Nephroliths are rarely accompanied by clinical symptoms, with the exception of hematuria, until they move into the ureter, causing its obstruction (blockage) and hydronephrosis.

2. Mild symptoms of urolithiasis:

• Some increase in urinary frequency
• Mild hematuria - blood staining
• Slight increase in urination time
• Slight discomfort during urination
• Increased genital licking

3. severe symptoms:

• Pollakiuria - cats almost do not leave their toilet, dogs constantly seep and drops of urine
• Urinary tenesmus (to be distinguished from constipation)
• Severe hematuria - obvious blood in the urine
• Severe urinary discomfort - vocalization and overt pain
• On palpation, the bladder is greatly distended.
• Polydipsia/polyuria in case of secondary renal failure
• General depression and anorexia

4. Symptoms that threaten the life of the animal:

• Anuria (lack of urination)
• Weakness/collapse
• Dehydration
• On palpation, the bladder may not be found if it is burst or anuric (otherwise it feels like a dense mass)
• Uremic halitosis may be detected
• Vomit
• convulsions

To prescribe adequate treatment, the veterinarian must be able to assess the degree of development of urolithiasis.

Diagnosis of urolithiasis

Urolithiasis is confirmed:

• Clinical symptoms
• Palpation of uroliths in the bladder in dogs (in cats they are difficult to palpate)
• Radiopaque uroliths are seen on plain x-rays.
• Contrast radiographs for radiolucent and small (less than 2 mm in diameter) uroliths
• Isolation of uroliths during urination (they can be collected in a grid)

Radiography is necessary to determine the radioopacity, the site of deposition, the number and size of uroliths. Usually, stones are present in several places at once, so examination of all urinary tracts is necessary.

Rice. 1. Calcium oxalate crystals in urine

In cats, urolithiasis usually resolves with the formation of struvite (triple phosphate), but recently there have been more cases of calcium oxalates in the urine of cats and, even worse, mixed type urolithiasis, when both struvite and oxalates are present in the urine at a neutral pH level in the urine. Many veterinarians neglect laboratory diagnosis, relying on the prevalence of struvite in cats. I consider this approach to be wrong.

In dogs, urolithiasis can proceed with the formation of all known uroliths., therefore laboratory visual determination of the type of stones for dogs is very important for the appointment of treatment. The sediment of a 10 ml fresh urine sample should be microscoped immediately after collection at body temperature because time, cooling, or evaporation of the urine may precipitate crystals and give false positive or paradoxical results. Most of the common crystals in the urine have a typical appearance, and with a large number of them, one can judge the composition of the urolith, or at least its outer layer.

Rice. 2. Struvites

Rice. 3. Struvite and erythrocytes in the urine

Treatment of urolithiasis

Choosing the right treatment depends on the location(s) of the uroliths:

kidneys- nephroliths are very difficult to remove surgically, unless they are concentrated in one kidney. Then a nephrectomy (removal of the kidney) is possible. With nephroliths, the development of postrenal renal failure is possible. Dissolution of struvite uroliths is possible by prescribing a special diet.

Ureters- uroliths in the ureters are successfully removed surgically, but one should be aware of the possibility of developing postrenal renal failure.

Bladder- treatment depends on the type of uroliths. Struvites, urates, and sometimes cystines can be dissolved, and calcium oxalates and other uroliths containing calcium and silicon dioxide are surgically removed by conventional cystotomy (opening the bladder and removing stones).

Urethra- depending on how uroliths lie, several types of treatment are used:

1) manipulation - manual massage(often used for cats with sand plugs) or catheterization a small polyurethane catheter (for example, a special Jackson catheter for cats or a medical subclavian catheter with a diameter of 0.6 - 0.8 mm).

Although catheterization is often used to dislodge or break up uroliths in cats and some dog breeds, this treatment is the most dangerous for the following reasons:

• it injures tissues, leading to fibrosis and scarring, followed by narrowing of the urethra;
• introduces infection into the urinary tract.

2) Retrograde urethral lavage followed by dissolution (struvites, urates and cystines) or cystotomy (calcium oxalates, other calcium and silica containing uroliths) is the only treatment for urethral urolithiasis.

Method of retrograde washing out of urethral calculi

The animal is given general anesthesia or strong sedatives. Then the following steps are performed:

• Empty the bladder by cystocentesis (puncture of the bladder through the abdominal wall)
• Through the rectum, fingers squeeze the urethra opposite the pubis, below the urolith (this requires an assistant)
• A sterile catheter is inserted into the distal urethra.
• Secure the penile part of the urethra around the catheter
• Sterile saline is injected into the catheter through a syringe.
• When the intraluminal pressure reaches the desired point, the assistant removes the fingers and releases the urethra
• Under the pressure of saline solution, the urolith is pushed back into the bladder
• You can repeat the procedure several times

After retrograde lavage, recurrences of obstruction are very rare. In cats, this method is usually not used; in males, this low-impact method is often recommended for use.

3) urethrostomy used for males when manipulation or retrograde flushing has failed. A urethrostomy creates a permanent opening in the urethra. This method is used for recurrent obstruction of the penile urethra in cats and sometimes in males. Although this is the only treatment for animals with permanent urethral obstruction, it must be used with caution because some reports indicate that 17% of feline urethrostomies result in postoperative urinary tract infections. In 10% of cats, urethrostomy and dietary changes also lead to postoperative infection, while none of the diet-treated cats has a urinary tract infection.

Dissolution

Can dissolve struvite, urate and cystine stones. This is the only non-life threatening method of removing stones in animals with urolithiasis. Dissolution is used for kidney or bladder stones. If a urinary tract infection is present, antibiotics are given as part of the treatment based on the results of the urine culture and sensitivity test. The details of the treatment are discussed below.

Struvites (Magnesium Ammonium Phosphate, Tripel Phosphates). To dissolve struvite stones, it is enough to strictly adhere to special veterinary diets. They are quite widely represented on the Russian market, any veterinary clinic in Moscow and large cities of Russia can offer a veterinary diet for your pet. We successfully use Purina (UR) and Hills (s/d, c/d) feeds.

These foods contribute to acidification of the urine, causing the struvite to dissolve. In addition, the high sodium content in these diets stimulates diuresis (urination), which helps flush the bladder and remove accumulated salts as soon as possible. With urolithiasis not complicated by bacterial infections, treatment with special diets brings positive results as early as 4-5 days after the start of treatment. It should be noted that the earliest possible visit to the veterinarian and early diagnosis of urolithiasis contributes to the speedy recovery of the animal and minimizes possible relapses of the disease. Of great importance is the owner's compliance with the feeding regimen of the animal. NOTHING, except for a special diet, the animal can not be given more!!!

Quality control of treatment is carried out by laboratory tests of urine and x-ray diagnostics of the presence of stones in the bladder. In the absence of stones in the urine and on the pictures, the treatment is recognized as effective and the owner's task in the future is a MANDATORY urine test at least once every six months. In our opinion, the optimal time for the control delivery of tests is 3 months.

The laboratory evaluates the pH of urine, as well as the presence and analysis of urine sediment, determining the type and number of urinary crystals.

Treatment of insoluble uroliths

-Calcium oxalates
Calcium oxalate uroliths are more common in certain breeds of dogs (Yorkshire Terriers and Miniature Schnauzers), and in recent years they have become noticeably more common, especially in cats.
Unfortunately, this type of crystal is completely insoluble, and the treatment of this type of urolithiasis is carried out exclusively by surgical removal of stones from the bladder. Sometimes 3-4 operations per year are required if the intensity of oxalate formation is very high.
To prevent relapse, it is necessary to reduce the concentration of calcium and oxalates in the urine. Prevention is possible with special diets (Hills x/d, Eucanuba Oxalat Urinary Formula, etc.). I repeat. PREVENTION. But not the dissolution of oxalate stones!

-Calcium phosphates
Phosphate-calcium crystalluria manifests itself in various forms: both in amorphous (calcium phosphates) and in the form of calcium hydrophosphates (brushite). These minerals are often present in mixed uroliths along with struvite, urate, or calcium oxalate. Most calcium phosphate crystals (with the exception of brushite) are pH sensitive and form in alkaline urine.
A medical protocol for dissolving these uroliths has not yet been developed, so surgical removal and prevention of hypercalciuria (as in the case of calcium oxalatocalcium urolithiasis), but not alkalinization of the urine, is recommended.

- Silicon dioxide (silicates)
Silicate uroliths are rare in dogs. They are called "Jack stones". The etiopathogenesis of these uroliths is not completely clear, however, it is believed that the risk of formation of these stones increases if the dog eats soil or soil-contaminated types of vegetables (rutabaga, beets). Personally, I have never encountered this type of urolithiasis.
With clinical symptoms, the only treatment is surgical removal of stones, and as a preventive measure, it is recommended that the dog does not eat soil or vegetation contaminated by it.

Urolithiasis in dogs occurs in fifteen cases out of a hundred, is a common problem in many breeds. The essence of the disease is simple: the dog's bladder is filled with stones of different sizes, which block the urinary tract, causing monstrous pain. Symptoms of KSD begin with difficulty urinating, then progressing. The treatment is positive, brings significant relief to the condition. Most importantly, do not start the disease so much that the dog painfully tries to survive.

Useful information

With urolithiasis, stones can form in any part of the excretory system: kidneys, bladder, canals. Stones are formed as a result of the accumulation of certain substances, subsequent hardening, crystallization. Normal urine is about neutral. The disease shifts the pH to the acidic, alkaline side. Slight chemical displacement results in the formation of fine sand, which is usually carried out on its own. Discomfort is sometimes noted during the passage of solid particles, but in general the condition of the dog remains satisfactory.

The formation of the following types of stones is possible:

• Cystins: Passed down through generations of certain breeds. Dachshunds, bulldogs, corgis usually suffer. Other breeds of dogs rarely develop this type of urolithiasis.
• Oxalates are the nastiest stones, they grow quickly, have a variety of shapes, and are difficult to treat.
• Phosphate pebbles are also characterized by intensive growth, they are successfully eliminated by strict adherence to the dosage regimen proposed by the doctor.
• Struvites are the result of exposure to various bacterial diseases.

One animal may have several types of stones. Therapeutic procedures are complicated by the selection of different treatment regimens for the elimination of each type of urolith. urolith- urinary stone. The danger of finding stones inside the organ cavity is as follows. Stones, passing through the urinary canals, scratch the walls of blood vessels, the animal feels severe pain. Especially large stones can get stuck, clog the channel lumen. Then urine will accumulate in the dog's body, poisoning the body with toxins. Blockage may result in rupture of the walls of the canal, the outflow of fluid into the abdominal cavity. It is unrealistic to remove the formed stones with folk remedies on your own. It is acceptable to use non-drugs in the early stages, for the speedy removal of sand. But the stones pose too serious a threat to the health of the dog to joke, to self-medicate.

Causes of urolithiasis

A serious disease requires a serious approach, many veterinarians have been studying the causes and factors leading to KSD for years. It was possible to establish the following regularities:

• Various infections, especially those that change the structure of the blood, can cause a change in the composition of urine. The balance of the content of certain urinary elements determines the neutrality of the fluid reaction. Any excess, decrease in concentration inevitably leads to excessive hardening of the components. Particularly dangerous are diseases of the genital area, the excretory system. Pancreatitis can cause a complication of this kind.
• Improper feeding leads to the development of the disease. The combination of ordinary (natural) food with canned, dry food puts a lot of pressure on the digestive organs. The body of the dog is forced to adapt for years, to work for wear and tear. An excess amount of protein puts a strain on the liver, kidneys, shifts PH to the acid side. The opposite effect has an excess of the proportion of carbohydrates in the diet. In feeding the dog, you need to adhere to a certain regimen, then the risk factor will go away.
• Often sand is formed due to the use of poor quality water. Giving water directly from the tap is possible if the exact salt content is known. Otherwise, it is recommended to pre-purify the liquid. Using commonplace filters is great to help deal with the situation. Also, irregular access to clean drinking water can cause the accumulation of sparingly soluble substances.
• Lack of regular regular exercise. Walking the dog twice a day, the owners unwittingly cause stagnation of urine. Prolonged fluid retention provokes absorption. The components of the urine crystallize to hold the animal's natural urge. Older dogs cannot endure for a long time, so urolithiasis is often diagnosed at a similar age.
• The next factor follows from the previous point - insufficient physical activity causes obesity. Problematic weight is a threat to the heart of the animal, to all body systems. Increased body weight needs a lot of work of the excretory system, which simply cannot cope, stagnation occurs, urine deteriorates.
• The genetic characteristics of a particular dog have a great influence. Also, congenital changes significantly complicate the life of the animal. Degenerative changes in blood vessels and excretory canals can lead to urolithiasis. Improper functioning of the liver, kidneys due to abnormal structure, metabolic disorders.

Usually a combination of several causes leads to urolithiasis. Such a combined effect is especially dangerous in predisposed individuals. Although other breeds also have certain problems, the risk of the disease increases dramatically if there are problems in keeping, walking the dog. Minor trifles, shoals of owners inevitably lead to the development of various ailments. Most of these diseases lie in wait for pets at the end of their lives.

Symptoms of urolithiasis in dogs

The initial change in urine structure usually goes unnoticed. The dog changes when the formation of stones has already occurred. It is possible to prevent the dangerous development of the disease if the owners regularly undergo preventive examinations at the veterinary clinic. An ultrasound scan will help to identify the beginnings of a future problem in a timely manner. Do not neglect a visit to the doctor if the dog is at risk!

The following irrefutable evidence of stone formation is observed:

• The dog often goes to the toilet. The animal is simply unable to keep the urge, watering carpets, shoes, corners.
• The amount of urine varies, often the volume is too small.
• The color of the liquid becomes darker, blood impurities are possible.
• The animal experiences pain, trembles, can take strange, unusual, uncharacteristic poses.
• If there is a blockage of the urinary tract with a stone, the dog experiences severe pain. The abdomen becomes painful, tight, the animal avoids touching. The body temperature rises rapidly, there is a strong thirst, the dog refuses to eat.

Channel blockage poses a threat to the life of the dog, so the observation of such symptoms is a signal to the owner that urgent action is needed. The primary changes in the urine should alert the attentive owner: the liquid begins to smell unpleasant, there is a periodic decrease in the volume of urine excreted. In general, urolithiasis is characterized by a long course. Animals live for years, experiencing temporary difficulties in the excretory sphere, the manifestation of symptoms is secretive.

Diagnosis

It is based on carrying out three consecutive steps: a urine test for biochemistry, an ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity, and radiography. Then, according to the available laboratory data, the type of urolithiasis is determined. It is important to establish the nature of the stones in order to prescribe effective treatment. The thoughtless use of drugs will cause significant damage to the health of the dog. Therefore, always try to get, see the full picture of the ongoing processes.

It is also mandatory to conduct a comprehensive examination to exclude the presence of bacterial infections, assess the condition of the dog.

Treatment of urolithiasis

The urgent condition of blockage of the urinary canal is eliminated by the introduction of a catheter, the removal of urine. Then the veterinarian uses anti-spasm drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs. If the x-ray shows too much stone filling of the lumen of the bladder, channels, surgical removal of accumulated stones may be required.

The goal of therapy is to dissolve formations, remove crystals in a natural way.

The first months of treatment regularly testing of urine for concentration of substances is required. Such an action will allow you to notice the deterioration in time, to avoid possible complications. If the classic treatment does not work, the method of removing part of the dog's excretory tract is used. Permanent obstruction of the channels is cured by dilating part of the urinary tubules.

It is important to follow the treatment regimen prescribed by the doctor. Believe me, a short-term improvement in the condition will return a hundredfold if you follow these recommendations. Preventive medicines should be used if there is a risk of urolithiasis. It is also important to follow the general rules for keeping dogs in order to avoid even a possible hint of the development of the disease.

Prevention of ICD

Includes following the simple rules of a healthy dog:

• Water your dog with clean, filtered water.
• You should feed either natural food, or adhere to a dry regime, periodically diluting with canned food. It is not recommended to mix different types of feeding.
• Walks should be long, at least half an hour, preferably three times a day.
• Ensuring regular adequate physical activity.
• Periodic preventive urinalysis. Especially important for predisposed individuals.

Following these rules will keep your dog healthy for years to come. Health to your pets!

Lower urinary tract infections are not uncommon in dogs. Approximately 15 individuals out of 100 suffer from urolithiasis (urolithiasis or ICD abbreviation). It is enough for pet owners to remember the main signs of this disease and what to do in the first place to help them 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 of representatives of predominantly small breeds: Yorkies, Schnauzers, Dalmatians, Shih Tsu, Pekingese, Miniature Poodles, English Bulldogs, 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 of the urogenital area, including the 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, cheap dry food and mixing ready-made industrial food with natural food are to blame. All this gives an increased load on the work of the gastrointestinal tract, which is constantly in a state of adjustment to a certain food, literally working for wear and tear.
3. Bad water or general lack of drinking. Often the tap water that is most often given to pets contains a high salt content. 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 the cardiovascular system and excretory develops. 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 neglect 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 the lumbar region to relieve pain from renal colic (performed only 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: a daily dose of 5-10 mg of the 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. Surgical treatment of urolithiasis is also indicated 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 of urinary stones that 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 the general condition of the 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 the same food set for a long time.
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 drunk with the 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 boiled fish and meat are left), sausages, offal. Increase the amount of vegetables, dairy products, eggs and cereals.
6. In dogs, a lack of calcium in the diet with natural feeding will stimulate the formation of phosphate stones, so 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 with the correct selection of special food, nothing else can be given to a pet - even as a reward or a treat, otherwise the effect of the diet will be reduced to zero. An appropriate note 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, it is recommended:

• 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 - dissection of the urethra and removal of 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;
• choose the right diet (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 food 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)

It is permissible to use traditional medicine recipes, but strictly according to the testimony of a 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, chamomile flowers, 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.