Among the most vital requirements for our pet’s health is their meal, but it doesn’t stop there. They must maintain a healthy diet to assure a quality of life, particularly in avoiding diseases like having a stone in the bladder that makes them suffer in pain from the moment it was acquired up to a possible advanced treatment if mistreated. Their dish is one of the most effortless responsibilities we can do, yet one of the most dangerous to their health if disregarded.
What are pet bladder stones?
Pet bladder stones have the same idea as kidney stones for humans. It is highly concentrated urine where minerals turn into stones that develop in their bladder. These stones are called “uroliths.” We can already tell how this could be so discomforting for our pets, especially if we have not noticed it immediately.
Common Signs and Symptoms
One of the most evident indications is their frequent peeing. You may notice a small amount of pee from time to time as it is so concentrated, and they feel pain whenever they attempt to do so. You will most likely be bothered by how strong their pee smell is, especially when it appears discolored or, even worse, bloody. You will notice them licking their genital areas more frequently, which is their remedy for the discomfort and pain they’re feeling. As soon as you suspect something unusual as this, it would be best to schedule them as quickly as possible within the Douglasville veterinary hospital hours.
Causes
Apart from the common causes like bad diet, urinary tract infection, dehydration, too much phosphate, ammonium or magnesium in pee, congenital liver shunt, and whatnot, a dog’s bladder acquires different types of stone, which have various reasons. The urate bladder stones, xanthine bladder stones, cystine bladder stones, calcium oxalate bladder stones, and the most common is struvite stone which develops when phosphate and magnesium stick together. It isn’t bad for the health unless it gets infected and mixed into pee which raises the level of pH that leads to struvite crystals, the hazardous stones in their system.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis will include a thorough physical examination; your veterinarian will check the pet’s tummy for indications of pain around the gallbladder. Blood will be collected to check for liver changes, increased bilirubin, calcium, or cholesterol in the blood, and check for signs of inflammation or infection. Next will be x-rays to see if any stones are visible. Only about 50% of gallstones can show on x-rays.
There are three main treatment choices for bladder stones, first is surgical removal; this veterinary surgery for cats and dogs is typically the fastest way of treating bladder stones. However, it might not be the best treatment for patients with other health issues or whom general anesthesia could be risky. With this option, the stones will be removed by means of cystotomy, a procedure to access and open the bladder to take out the stones.
Many veterinarians and pets routinely perform this surgery and usually make a rapid postoperative recovery. If the stones obstruct the urethra, the pet won’t urinate anymore; in this case, emergency treatment is necessary to save the pet’s life.
The second is non-surgical removal by uro hydro propulsion, and the third is nutritional dissolution. The specific treatment recommended for your pet will depend on the type of stone present. Your vet will discuss the pros and cons of each treatment option with you in more detail, based on your pet’s situation.
Prevention
Registering your family pet in a pet wellness plan is essential to ensure that your pet wouldn’t experience this health problem; a wellness exam is a thorough examination of your pet’s health. Click here to understand how the plans can come in handy in your journey as a pet owner. But generally, it enables vets to identify and treat any possible health problems, and it guarantees the quality of life of your pet.
