How to treat struvite in dogs. About the dangers of improper feeding. Methods of therapy for KSD

Urolithiasis in dogs (veterinarians call it urolithiasis) is quite common today. This is a serious disease, during the development and progression of which stones are formed in the kidneys and bladder. The size and mineral composition of the texture of uroliths can be very diverse and directly depend on individual features pet food and diet.

Definition and types of stones

Urolithiasis in dogs develops against the background of displacement chemical composition pet urine to the alkaline or acid side. As practice shows, the crystallization of urine salts occurs in lower section and in the bladder. Stones are rarely formed directly in the kidneys.

Veterinarians identify several different types stones that occur with ICD:

cystine. Stones of this type are most often found in representatives of such breeds as dachshund, bulldog and Newfoundland. Interestingly, the disease is also hereditary. As for the rest of the rocks, this type of stones is quite rare (less than 5% of all cases).
Oxalates. According to veterinarians, these are the most harmful of all types of stones, as they have the hardest structure. Stones of this type usually grow very quickly, dissolve poorly when using special medicines. Also, formations of this type have sharp uneven edges, which are additional reason discomfort and pain pet.
Phosphate stones. These formations increase in size very quickly. However, they can be dissolved under the condition strict observance special diet prescribed by a veterinarian for a dog. In most cases, the primary cause of the formation of stones of this type are various bacterial infections.
Stones of a mixed type or stones of several types at once. Treatment urolithiasis in dogs in this case is complicated by the fact that different formations react differently to treatment. To achieve positive result therapy, the owner of the dog must strictly follow all the recommendations of the veterinarian regarding the daily routine and nutrition of the pet (change food), even if some of them at first glance seem insignificant.

Causes and symptoms of the disease

Symptoms of urolithiasis in dogs manifest themselves in different ways and directly depend on the individual characteristics of the animal (gender, stage of development of the disease, localization of the stone formation process).

Different stages of the ICD characterize different symptoms by which the veterinarian determines the stage of the disease. But there are a number of "universal" signs, the manifestation of which indicates that stones have formed in the kidneys (more often in the bladder) of the dog. If your pet shows any of the following symptoms, you should immediately take him to the veterinarian:

The dog often pees, while in places that are not typical for her.
Blood streaks appear in the animal's urine, and late stages disease, the animal sometimes pees with blood clots.
If the stones block the urinary tract, then urine can be constantly excreted in small droplets. Most often, these signs of ICD are observed in males.
During a trip to the toilet, the dog noticeably tenses up.
Complete lack of appetite. Even the favorite food is not of interest.
Sometimes urolithiasis in dogs is accompanied by vomiting with signs of pain.

Interestingly, the symptoms, like urolithiasis itself, manifest themselves in adulthood(3-5 years).

Owners of dogs of such breeds as dachshund, poodle, Yorkshire Terrier you should be especially attentive to your pets, as they have genetic predisposition to this disease.

The reasons for the development of this disease in all cases are different, but veterinarians still identify several main factors that provoke the formation of stones in the kidneys and bladder of animals:

bacteria. They are able to very quickly change the acidity of urine, resulting in a precipitate. In addition to the formation of stones, bacteria provoke the development of inflammatory processes in the lower urinary tract and the dog often gets sick.
The animal does not drink much. For this reason, the concentration of mineral salts in his urine increases, which then crystallize.
Features of nutrition. It's believed that protein diet is optimal diet food for dogs. However, if you constantly feed your pet products with high content protein, then such a diet will bring more harm than health benefits. Food must be chosen very carefully.
The main causes of KSD also include infrequent walking of a pet.

Features of the diagnosis of the disease

KSD can be diagnosed only when examined by a veterinarian. If the stones in a dog have already reached an impressive size, then they can be detected even by the most ordinary examination.

State urinary tract checked in most cases when using a catheter.

To get a more detailed picture of the course of the disease, especially if traces of blood were found in the urine, additional studies are prescribed:

ultrasound abdominal cavity.
Analysis of urine.
X-ray examination. By the way, this type of diagnosis allows veterinarians to determine the type of stones in order to determine how to treat the disease.

Treatments for Urolithiasis in Dogs

Today, the treatment of urolithiasis in dogs is carried out by several methods. The choice of treatment method directly depends on the degree of development of the disease and on the age of the animal:

Magnetotherapy. It is one of the most popular and modern species treatment of KSD in dogs, which does not involve surgery. At the core this method treatment is physiotherapy, which can not only dissolve stones, but also neutralize unpleasant symptoms illness.
Homeopathy. homeopathic medicines serve more as a measure to prevent the formation of new stones than to treat KSD.
Hirudotherapy. Can be used in the early stages of the disease. This type of treatment is often used by doctors as one of the methods of disease prevention, as well as in rehabilitation period after surgery.
Urethrotomy. This method of treatment is forced during blockage of stones in the urinary tract.
Urethrostomy. This method of treatment involves the creation of a new opening for urination. However, when using a urethrostomy, castration of the dog is inevitable.
Surgical intervention. it last resort treatment of KSD, which is used if the dog's life is at risk.

Prevention methods

Competent prevention of the disease is always better than treatment, even for initial stage. Prevention of urolithiasis requires an integrated approach from the pet owner.

First of all, the owner must feed his four-legged friend balanced healthy diet.

For these purposes, you can use special ready-made medicinal feed recommended by the veterinarian. In addition, it is necessary to monitor the weight of the pet, often a special balanced diet. The most the best prevention urolithiasis in dogs is the control of fluid intake by the animal.

Feed, especially synthetic, contains phosphates in its composition, increased concentration in the urine of which is the cause of the formation of stones, as well as the appearance of traces of blood in the urine.

More fresh air, as well as increased physical activity- here is the most good prevention not only ICD, but also most other animal diseases.

Types of food for dogs with ICD

Proper balanced nutrition is the main guarantee of health. If the dog food is chosen incorrectly, this can cause not only the KSD, but also other more serious illnesses. For dogs with urolithiasis, there is a special food for sale with a reduced phosphorus content. A diet high in protein will help reduce the load on the liver.

Feed a sick dog is worth only fresh products. And one more thing - the food should not contain a large number of calcium. After all, this element oxidizes urine and provokes the formation of stones.

Lifestyle of a dog suffering from urolithiasis

To prevent the formation of new stones, the owner must monitor not only the diet, but also the lifestyle of the dog. To do this, follow the following recommendations:

First of all, there should be a balanced diet that provides only fresh food. The dog should eat high-calorie foods to avoid high food intake. It should be borne in mind that the food recommended by the doctor can be very different from the usual food for the dog. It is worth completely eliminating meat, liver and calcium supplements from the diet.
You can feed a sick dog only according to the schedule that the attending physician develops, depending on the individual characteristics of the dog.
A pet should always have fresh water in sufficient quantity.
The dog must not be overloaded physical activity, you can simply increase hiking outdoors.

Urolithiasis in dogs – develops primarily in the bladder rather than the kidneys, the mechanism of stone formation in dogs is significantly different from how they form in cats. At the same time, different breeds uroliths of various types may be present, that is, there is a natural predisposition to the development of a certain type of urolithiasis.Urolithiasis is usually associated only with cats, in which it occurs quite often, but dogs are also susceptible to this. unpleasant disease, although there are many times fewer cases of "urolithiasis" in them.

Urolithiasis - education urinary stones in the urinary tract or kidneys (nephroliths). In dogs, stones form mainly in the lower urinary tract - the bladder and urethra.

In dogs with KSD, struvites (triple phosphates) are often found and the cause of their appearance is inflammatory processes in the bladder, as a result of which the acidity of the environment changes to the alkaline side. The environment promotes the formation and growth of crystals. The formation of stones is observed mainly in dogs of middle and advanced age.

Crystallization and formation of urolithic stones are promoted by external and internal factors. Improper feeding, water saturation mineral salts- exogenous factors. Internal diseases animal, for example, hyperparathyroidism, shunts in the liver, inflammatory processes in the genitourinary system and abnormalities in the metabolic process can cause urolithiasis.

Why stones form

Reliable factors that contribute to the formation of urolithiasis are:

Supersaturation of urine with minerals and its certain acidity (pH);

Deficiency of factors that are responsible for stabilizing the composition of urine;

Stagnation of urine in the bladder and a long interval between emptying it;

An increase in the number of crystalloids due to exposure to bacteria that are able to break down urea, which contributes to the alkalinization of urine.

Clinical signs

Urolithiasis in dogs symptoms.Struvite urolithiasis develops in dogs at any age. Mainly due to a violation of the protection mechanisms in urinary tract(especially in miniature schnauzers). The risk group for struvite deposits also includes: dachshund, beagle, poodle, Pekingese and Scotch terrier. Females are most prone to the formation of struvite stones, which is also accompanied by infection in the genitourinary system.

Oxalate urolithiasis is common in dogs at the age of 7-8 years, but sometimes occurs at any age. Oxalates are found mainly in male Yorkshires, miniature schnauzers, Shih Tzu. Oxalates are formed only in acidic environment and they are radiopaque. Bacterial microflora influences their formation insignificantly.

Urate urolithiasis is common in Dalmatians and is caused by their formation genetic disorders purine metabolism in animals. Individuals are ill at the age of 3-5 years, but sometimes urate stones are found in dogs at a younger age. Also, urate urolithiasis develops as a consequence of congenital porto-systemic shunts in breeds that are most predisposed to this disease. Males are most susceptible to the formation of urate stones with neutral and acid urine. The radiopacity is not stable.

Cystine urolithiasis is almost always associated with cystinuria, which is caused by impaired reabsorption of cystine in renal tubules. But stones may not form with this disease. The formation of cystine stones was noted mainly in males 3-5 years of age, although with genetic abnormalities, the process can begin much earlier. Females rarely get sick. Uroliths form in an acidic environment and are radiopaque.

The clinic depends on the location, size and number of stones. General symptoms for all types of urolithiasis - frequent urination(pollakiuria), difficulty and painful urination(dysuria), hematuria (blood in the urine). Stones that have moved into the urethra may for a long time to be there and not cause any symptoms, and in the future the disease will turn into chronic form(provided there is no obstruction of the ureter).

KSD is diagnosed in dogs using x-rays and abdominal ultrasound. Sometimes double-contrast cystography or excretory urography. Be sure to conduct a general and biochemical analysis blood, urinalysis and urine culture tank, but only these studies do not give accurate diagnosis. Crystalluria may be absent in the presence of stones, and its presence does not indicate the presence of stones in the dog's urinary tract. The final diagnosis is made after the extraction of stones and their study.

Therapy

Treatment of urolithiasis in dogs.All medical measures depend on the presence or absence of obstruction of the ureter or urethra, as well as the general condition of the dog.

Obstruction is eliminated with the help of retrograde urohydropropulsion (stones are pushed from the urethra into the bladder), catheterization Bladder, urethrotomy (urethrostomy). Subsequently, the stones are removed using cystotomy.

Conservative therapy can be given to dogs with struvite, cystine, and urate stones, but the main disadvantage of such treatment is duration. In urolithiasis in dogs, a diet is prescribed to dissolve struvite, and include foods that are limited in calcium, protein, magnesium, phosphorus, and substances that maintain urine pH at the desired level. Antibiotic therapy is needed to eliminate the infection in urinary tract dogs.

With porto-caval shunts, they are ligated. Oxalate stones do not dissolve and need to be removed only surgically.

A therapeutic diet is prescribed to dogs for life, both after surgery and after conservative methods treatment.

Frequently Asked Doctor Questions.

How can the disease be detected in the early stages?

KSD in dogs manifests itself in different ways, it all depends on the sex of the animal, age and stage of the disease. The onset of the disease is almost asymptomatic, and can only be detected by examining the urine.

When to use surgical methods treatment?

When the urethra is blocked with urinary stones, when urination is impossible, which threatens the dog with great complications - rupture of the bladder and death.

What is the difference between urethrotomy and urethrostomy?

Despite the similar names, both surgical interventions are completely different. With urethrotomy, the urethra is dissected in the area of its blockage with stones, and with urethrostomy, a new urethra is created.

Veterinary center "DobroVet"

Urolithiasis in dogs - occurs in every 15 pets out of a hundred. This problem is quite common and consists in the fact that stones are found in the dog's bladder. different sizes and forms. They block the path of the urinary tract, and the dog experiences a very severe pain when the dog will relieve 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, urinary system sand can accumulate, which is usually carried out, causing discomfort, but at the same time the condition of the dog remains satisfactory. This sand usually appears when pH value 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 an unpleasant sight 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. Treat folk remedies urolithiasis can only be in the early stages to remove the sand from the body. The best thing to do is to contact your veterinarian. Since it dangerous disease which 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. Special attention should be addressed 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 combine with ordinary food– this can lead to salt deposits 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 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 examination reduce the chance of your pet 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.

Pet urine may emit bad smell, and its volume decreases. But even with these problems sharp pains pet can suffer for years. Therefore, at the slightest sign you should contact your veterinarian for a diagnosis.

Diagnosis of the disease

The study of the disease takes place in several stages.

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.
Urinalysis is performed to determine the concentration of acidity and alkalinity. Since the change chemical processes can cause stone formation.
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 evaluate general state pet. Exist additional methods diagnosis of 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;
dye contrast during examination x-rays allows you to find stones that the device could not detect;
analysis mineral composition 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 stones, do not conduct surgical intervention. In addition, this approach allows not only to remove inflammatory processes, but also to reduce pain threshold.

As additional funds treatment, some doctors may prescribe a complex homeopathic remedies treatment. But it is impossible to rely completely on such a method, but how aid 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 rehabilitation remedy. Pets with diseased kidneys will benefit from this therapy. If urolithiasis in dogs has led to consequences (for example, organic lesions kidneys), then the method of peritoneal dialysis is used. This approach does not break down the stones, but treats the consequences after severe form diseases.

Surgical intervention is performed only when the disease is very advanced and the dog suffers for a long time from unbearable pain. If the urethra is completely blocked, then even magnetotherapy may not help. And in this case, if it is not carried out surgery The dog's bladder may rupture.

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 and rinse the cavity. 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 in the composition of water there is increased content salts - this can cause blockage 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.

The diet for kidney stones is balanced diet. Each breed has its own diet. Specialized stores have prepared feed 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 wild nature he must eat whatever he has killed before a stronger predator arrives. 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. The internet has information about daily rate 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. exercise it does not follow. Long, but leisurely walks are better suited for sick animals. The run must be even. In this case, you need to ensure that the dog does not sudden movements, did not jump and did not 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 diseases are treated exclusively surgical methods and sometimes this leads to castration of males. Therefore, fulfill preventive measures to prevent disease and relapse is much easier than to treat an animal.

Approximately one sixth of domestic dogs are faced with the diagnosis of "urolithiasis". The danger of the disease is that it quickly worsens the health of the pet, so you need to respond to its symptoms immediately. Timely appeal to the veterinarian will save the life of the pet and save him from suffering.

Urolithiasis in a dog

Stones or sand that form in the organs of the urinary system occur due to a violation of the chemical composition of urine. The shift can occur in the acid or alkaline side, so the stones will differ in composition.

Most often, the problem occurs in the urethra or in the bladder. The composition of the stones in dogs are as follows:

Oxalates are the most dangerous stones.

Soft tissue injury

The appearance of stones, their movement along the urinary tract leads to injury to the soft tissues. That's why bloody issues when urinating should alert the owner of the dog. Sometimes large stone deposits overlap the ureter.

When urinating, bloody discharge appears.

If the animal does not receive quick help, it may die due to general intoxication organism. If an obstruction is suspected, a visit to the veterinarian should be urgent!

Causes of stones

A dog drinking water from a puddle can get urolithiasis.

Of the main factors that lead to the appearance of sand and stones, there are several of the most common:

Infectious diseases . These can be diseases not only of the urinary system, but also other infections that change the picture of the blood.
Water very often becomes the cause of the appearance of stones in the dog's body. Very important for an animal drinking regimen and water quality. It is recommended that the pet be given purified water, and the water container should be placed in an accessible place.
rare walks on the street lead to stagnation of urine, and this causes the deposition and crystallization of salts. If the animal lives in an apartment, it is necessary to go out with him for a walk more often.
Obesity and sedentary image pet life - a direct path to swelling and stagnation of urine.
Improper feeding . Many pet owners make the mistake of purchasing dry food and adding it to their diet from natural products. Nutrition should be either completely natural or consisting of dry food and canned food for animals. Mixing various kinds food is not allowed. It is also impossible to feed only fish and meat. Protein food oxidizes urine and kidneys. Some cereals in the diet are also unacceptable. Carbohydrates lead to alkalization of urine.
Bad heredity , some congenital pathologies.

The risk of getting sick with KSD increases many times if there are several adverse factors from the above list.

Symptoms

Obvious symptoms of the disease are noticed by almost all dog owners who carefully observe the life of a pet. With urolithiasis characteristic features are:

Frequent urge to urinate . If the dog is not allowed outside, it begins to urinate in small portions and where necessary indoors.
The color of urine should definitely alert . Urine may become cloudy, change color to pale pink. Drops of blood can be observed on the floor or ground.
Males during urination change habitual behavior : start to sit down and stop raising the paw. Bitches sit down repeatedly, but at the same time, urine either does not flow out, or its discharge is very scarce. An animal during a bowel movement may look tense, frightened, sometimes whines and.
If a stone or sand interferes with a normal bowel movement or has completely blocked the ureter, this is can be seen in a tight stomach which the animal does not allow to feel. The pet refuses to eat, but drinks more than usual, a temperature appears. Contacting a veterinary clinic should be immediate!

Frequent urination is the main symptom of the disease.

Almost none of the owners notice the early symptoms of KSD. Dogs cannot tell about the discomfort that occurs. The disease develops long time Therefore, it is so important to visit the veterinarian periodically and take tests. This will help to notice the problem in time and begin its treatment.

Necessary diagnostics

A blood test is essential for diagnosis.

Additionally, to clarify the condition of the kidneys and all organs of the urinary system, as well as the size of the stones, you will have to undergo an ultrasound scan. Some types of stones cannot be diagnosed with ultrasound. In this case, an x-ray is prescribed.

To identify a bacterial infection, a swab is done on the flora. tell the veterinarian about the general condition of the four-legged patient.

Treatment at home

Therapeutic measures can be carried out only after receiving an accurate diagnosis.

Having learned accurate diagnosis should start treatment.

dissolving stones

Some types of stones (struvites, urates and cystines) are amenable to dissolution.

Struvite stones can be dissolved if the animal will be transferred to a special diet food.
For example, Purina and Hills foods cause urine acidification, and struvite calculi dissolve. Sodium is specially added to these feeds, which helps to improve urination. This leads to flushing of the ureters and bladder and salts are excreted more quickly.
If not bacterial infection, then the transfer to such a diet after 5 days gives a visible effect.
It is very important to strictly follow the diet and do not feed your pet with various goodies from your table! In the presence of a bacterial infection, antibiotic therapy is additionally prescribed.
Complete dissolution of stones is a long process, taking about 3-4 months.

Purina's food helps to improve urination.

To control the recovery process, it will be necessary to take a urine test of the animal and make a WG for the presence of stones in the urinary tract. If the diagnostic results are good, then urine control is carried out 1 time in 3 months.

Operation

If your dog's urine flow has completely stopped, see your veterinarian immediately!

If an operation is scheduled, it should not be abandoned.

He will be able to remove the obstructing stone and help the animal to empty itself. For certain types stones the only way out - surgical intervention. Therefore, if a specialist prescribes an operation, it does not need to be abandoned. This is the only way to save your pet's life. Some stones can be pushed back into the urinary tract, but the risk of re-blockage remains quite high.

Prevention and dietary nutrition

The dog should always have access to clean water.

To warn repeated relapses disease, the following guidelines should be followed:

Constant access of the dog to drinking purified water.
Frequent walking of the animal so that the urinary bladder is emptied in a timely manner.
Loads should not be excessive, but the animal should not lie constantly. A recumbent lifestyle causes even greater stagnation, which leads to the progression of the disease. Sick dogs are recommended long quiet walks or running on level ground. It is best not to force the dog to jump, otherwise the stones may be disturbed and cause them to move.
Proper selection of feed, depending on the type of stones and the acidity of the urine.
Animal weight control. The pet must not be overfed. Even if you use food recommended by a specialist, excess daily allowance unacceptable. In order for the dog to eat in small portions, you should purchase high-calorie food. It is easily digested and saturates the body with all essential minerals and micronutrients. Usually these are super-premium and premium feeds. When using a low-calorie diet for feeding, the pet needs large portion, and with it he will receive an excess of minerals that lead to the ICD.
If you decide to feed regular food, then it is necessary that the diet be prescribed by an experienced veterinary nutritionist. The menu should not contain: sweets, smoked and salty dishes, sausages. Meat, cereals and dairy products should not be in excess. Fish meals- only boiled and a maximum of 1 time per week.

conclusions

Periodically, urine should be taken for analysis.

The success of kidney stones treatment depends on early detection Problems, correct diagnosis, treatment and full compliance with all recommendations of the veterinarian. The disease is prone to relapse, so periodic monitoring of urine is required.

Video about urolithiasis in dogs

If a well-bred dog suddenly described the sofa, do not rush to scold him: urolithiasis in dogs is often manifested by blatant uncleanliness. ICD - intractable dangerous disease, which quickly undermines the health of pets. Unfortunately, about 15% of dogs suffer from this disease. But a pet can live long and happy life if you contact the veterinarian in time.

With KSD, stones or sand (uroliths, calculi) are formed in the bladder, urinary tract, kidneys or urethra. This is due to a shift in the chemical balance of urine to the alkaline or acid side. In most cases, in dogs, salt crystallization occurs in the lower part - the urethra and / or bladder. Calculi are formed from various trace elements contained in the urine. The following types of stones are most commonly found in dogs:

cystines. The disease is often hereditary, there is a breed predisposition (corgis, bulldogs, Newfoundlands, dachshunds). Among genetically healthy pets, this type of KSD is quite rare (no more than 5% of all cases);

oxalates. The most "harmful" stones are hard, grow quickly and are poorly soluble by drugs, branched, with sharp edges.

phosphate stones also grow rapidly, but they can be dissolved by following the diet prescribed by the doctor. Formed in alkaline urine;

in dogs in 90% of cases are delayed due to various bacterial infections. As a rule, they consist of ammonium phosphate, magnesium and calcium carbonate.

There are mixed types stones and even several types of bladder and kidney stones in one dog. Stones of different composition do not respond equally to treatment. Therefore, the owner must strictly comply with all the prescriptions of the veterinarian, even if something seems like a trifle.

uroliths are annoying soft tissues which leads to inflammation and microtrauma. Washed out with urine, solid sharp fractions cause severe pain and bleeding. And if sand or a large stone blocks the urinary tract (obstruction), the dog may die - the urine literally rots and poisons the entire body, which quickly leads to general intoxication. Therefore, treatment with folk remedies or on the advice of friends is unacceptable: at the first suspicion, you should immediately contact the veterinarian without wasting a day. And in the case of obstruction, every hour counts! ICD - extremely serious illness requiring a qualified approach to treatment.

Causes of ICD

This disease has been closely studied for a long time, but so far much remains incomprehensible. However, some predisposing factors have been identified that clearly affect the alkalinization or oxidation of urine, and hence the formation of uroliths.

The main causes of KSD in dogs are:

infections, especially of the genital and urinary tract. But theoretically any infection that affects the blood picture (for example, banal staphylococcus aureus) can theoretically lead to the development of KSD;

unbalanced diet. First of all, this is mixed feeding, when the dog eats both natural and prepared (industrial feed) food. Canned food and drying must not be mixed in any way with natural food(neither morning-evening, nor every other day - either straight, or drying plus canned food). Excess protein (solid meat and fish in the diet) oxidizes the urine and generally puts an exorbitant burden on the kidneys and liver. An excess of carbohydrates (solid cereals) alkalizes urine;

sand in the bladder and kidney stones in a dog may appear due to the pet drinking uncleaned tap water. Or due to insufficient drinking (the dog does not have free access to water or the bowl often remains empty, which is especially detrimental in the heat and / or when feeding with drying);

insufficient walking. When the dog is patient, the urine crystallizes - this is the direct and most short cut to the ICD;

insufficient loads lead to obesity, edema, stagnation of urine and, as a result, to the formation of uroliths;

genetic predisposition and congenital pathologies. These can be pathologies of the kidneys, liver, genitourinary system, vessels, metabolic dysfunction - the list is almost endless.

Often we are talking about several reasons: the dog does not eat properly, drinks tap water walks 1-2 times a day for 20 minutes. If a pet genetically predisposed to KSD is kept in this way, the formation of calculi is inevitable. But even if the dog is genetically "pure" and does not suffer from hidden infections, such a lifestyle increases the risk of KSD tenfold.

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Symptoms of KSD

In 80% of cases, owners notice that something is wrong with their pet when signs of illness become apparent. Dog:

pisses frequently and in small portions;

urine changes color, becomes cloudy or turns pink. After urination, droplets of blood remain on the loop of the bitch or the tip of the penis of the male. Sometimes drops of urine can be seen on the ground;

experiencing pain while emptying the bladder (the pet whines, trembles, looks tense and frightened, pisses in a strange position). Males sit down, but do not lift their paw. Girls sit down very often, but urine either does not flow at all or there is very little of it.

With blockage (obstruction) of the ducts, the signs of urolithiasis in dogs are the same, but more pronounced. It is clearly painful for the pet to empty the bladder, the stomach becomes tight and painful (the dog does not open up to feel the peritoneum), thirst appears against the background poor appetite, the temperature may rise. it emergency You need to contact your veterinarian immediately!

Early symptoms are difficult to notice: some decrease in the amount of urine, cloudy urine with a heavy odor, unpleasant sensations drawing pains- dogs have a high pain threshold, and they cannot talk about discomfort). It seems to the owner that the pet falls ill suddenly, but in fact, sand and stones have been formed for a long time (often we are talking about years of chronic malaise). Therefore, it is important to pass once a year preventive examination and donate blood and urine for tests - this is how ICD will be found on early stage, which will allow the veterinarian to begin treatment before the disease seriously undermines the health of the genitourinary system.

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Diagnostics

First of all, it is necessary to pass urine tests - clinic and biochemistry. Sometimes this is enough to determine the absence / presence of calculi and the type of stones. But in any case, the veterinarian should perform an ultrasound scan - this is necessary to confirm the diagnosis and assess the condition of the kidneys, bladder and urinary tract. Sometimes stones in the dog’s bladder cannot be detected by ultrasound, so it’s better to take an x-ray right away. These three studies - urinalysis, ultrasound and X-ray - are the main diagnostic methods, without which it is impossible to prescribe proper treatment(Unless you're lucky "at random").

In addition, it is important to make sure that there is no bacterial infection - a smear on the flora, urine bacteriology. It is important to assess the general condition of the dog - clinical and biochemical blood tests. You can’t trust a veterinarian who prescribes a bunch of pills without making sure that the diagnosis is accurate - the type of treatment largely depends on the type of KSD (an incorrectly chosen drug can significantly worsen the situation).

Therapeutic measures

For obstruction, the veterinarian will remove the rotting urine with a catheter inserted into the urethra. Then the doctor will prescribe drugs that eliminate the consequences of blockage of the ducts - relieving spasm, hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, painkillers. Rapidly relieves symptoms with a course of furagin (human medicine) in combination with cantaren ( veterinary homeopathy). However, the treatment should only be prescribed by a veterinarian, and the owner must follow the recommendations exactly!

When acute condition overcome, the doctor will prescribe long-term therapy. The choice of drugs depends on the type of stones. The goal is to dissolve the stones and gently remove them without allowing new stones (or sand) to form. The doctor will definitely tell you what to feed the dog: if the environment is alkaline, it needs to be slightly acidified, and vice versa. Usually, veterinarians recommend switching to medicated feeds that are strictly balanced for a certain type of ICD. Such rations are available from Eukanuba, Royal canin, Hills, Purina. In addition, at first you will have to take urine for tests once a month, and with a significant improvement - once every six months. This is necessary in order to stop the complication in time: ICD - chronic illness, and the only attack suggests that it is necessary to support the dog throughout life (read on).