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Kidney Stones in Dogs
Kidney stones in dogs can be a painful condition especially if the
stone has become so large that it ends up passing through the system
and out through the urine.
On this page we have provided a guide for you and your canine so you
know the types of symptoms and its cause.
Read on to discover how to prevent kidney stones from forming, their
treatment including
alterations to the diet, conventional treatments and a home remedy that
some dog owners have chosen to use, with the advice of their vet of
course.
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The
Cause of Kidney Stones in Dogs...
Kidney
stones in dogs occurs when crystals start to form in the urinary tract
and kidneys. If you have ever been unlucky enough to have kidney stones
yourself you will understand quite how painful they are - and it is
exactly the same for your dog.
The
small crystal like stone will will start to get bigger over time as
more and more minerals passing through your dog's body attach
themselves to the crystal - this will of course make the crystal bigger
and bigger.
The kidney stones make their way out of your dog's body via the urinary
system. However, if the stones have become so large that they get stuck
in the urethra opening causing hydronephrosis - this condition causes a
back log of urine as the urine is blocked from passing through. This
will cause the kidney to swell and can cause severe damage and if not
treated fast it can be fatal.
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Kidney Stones in Dogs - Symptoms
The symptoms of kidney
stones in dogs include...
- Depression
- Appetite loss
- Vomiting
- Your previous house
trained dog may start having accidents around the House especially in
strange places.
- Your dog may also find
it difficult to urinate.
- You may notice blood
in the urine
- Your dog may also
dribble urine.
- If your dog is left
untreated he may not be able to urinate at all.
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How to Prevent Kidney Stones in Dogs
Advice on Diet, Exercise & Home Remedy Treatments
- Avoid feeding your dog
food that is high in purines as they cause citric acid to be released
into your dog's blood stream which damages the kidneys.
- Natural dog food is
the best dog food to feed your dog as processed food that is high in
chemicals and artificial additives can cause kidney stones.
- Avoid feeding your dog
high fat dog food.
- Avoid feeding your dog
game, shell fish, red organs, mushrooms, peas, legumes, cauliflower and
spinach.
- Avoid food that is
high in 'fillers' and also high in salt.
- If your dog has
developed kidney stones (ask your vet first), try changing his diet by
making your own dog food recipes including recipes that have poultry,
fruits, nuts, eggs, butter, milk, whole grains, cheese etc - basically
food that is high in carbohydrates but lower in protein.
- Make sure that your
dog has access to lots of fresh water as this will keep your dog's
urine neutral and helps to stop uric acid from building up.
- Regular exercise also
helps to clear out any toxins - this extra exercise will also encourage
your dog to drink more.
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Treatment for this Condition
- The first step is to
take your dog to the vet if you have any concerns that he is showing
any symptoms of the problem.
- The vet will normally
do a physical examination and will then undertake an abdominal X-Ray or
ultrasound - this will help determine where the stones are, how many
are present and how big they are.
- The vet may also empty
your dog's bladder if it is blocked.
- Your vet may prescribe
something to help dissolve the stones - this causes a chemical reaction
so that the stones break up and can then be passed through normal
urination.
- It's worth asking the
vet for advice about extracorporeal shock wave
lithotripsy - this procedure crushes
the kidney stones enabling them to be passed in the urine.
- The vet will
inevitably ask you to increase the urine intake - if however your dog
has become very dehydrated the fluid may need to be given via an IV or
intravenous drip.
- Infections are very
common with this condition (urinary tract infection) so antibiotics may
need to be prescribed by the vet.
- If the kidney stones
have caused too much damage then the kidney may need to be removed.
- The best home remedy
to prevent the condition is using some of the tips provided earlier,
exercise, lots of fresh water, a diet low in purines, natural dog food
- low in salt, dog food high in carbohydrates and lower in protein.
- Remember to take your
dog for regular health check ups so that health problems can be spotted
before they become too serious.
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