Kidney Stones in Dogs

The buildup and hardening of certain mineral salts in the urine is what causes kidney stones to form in dogs, a disorder that can seriously harm our furry friends' health if not treated in time.

These urinary stones in the kidney, the organ where urine is produced, can come in different shapes and sizes. In fact, some breeds are more prone than others to developing certain types of stones.

The best way to avoid them is to understand what factors cause them to form, which is why at SoyUnPerro we want to walk you through their symptoms, treatment, and how to prevent them.

Origin of Kidney Stones in Dogs

Kidney stones, also known as nephroliths, form due to a disruption in the normal balance of minerals and other substances expelled during urination. This imbalance can be caused by various risk factors. The most common are:

• High concentration of salts in the urine.
• Retention of these salts for a certain period of time in the urinary tract.
• Urine acidity (pH), which favors the crystallization of these salts.
• Reduced levels of certain natural substances (natural inhibitors), which prevent these crystals from forming.

All of these factors are closely related. For example, if your dog has a diet high in protein and minerals and low in fiber, this could lead to a higher concentration of salts in the urine, making it more acidic and encouraging kidney stones to form.

It also often happens that we take our dog out for a rushed walk, and it doesn't get around to peeing, so urine ends up staying in the bladder longer, which can also encourage kidney stones or "stones" to form.

Both in our bodies and in our furry friends', there are natural inhibitors — substances that prevent these stones from forming. However, factors like age, breed, urinary infections, or other metabolic disturbances can keep these inhibitors from doing their job, allowing stones to form.

Different Types of Kidney Stones

There are different types of stones depending on what caused them, but beyond their chemical makeup or shape, it's worth knowing where in our dog's urinary system they form.

Stones form inside the kidneys and can also settle or form in the bladder, which is more common. The most serious problems occur when the normal flow of urine gets blocked, usually in males, which can cause infections or kidney failure.

When a stone blocks the urethra, the duct through which urine stored in the bladder is expelled, the dog can't pee. In that case, if it doesn't urinate within 12 to 24 hours, you should take it to the vet right away, since this is a medical emergency.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Kidney Stones in Dogs

A dog with a kidney stone may show no symptoms at all, and it may only be found during a medical test done for another reason. Other times, though, there are clues that can make us suspect the dog has kidney stones. The most common signs are:

• Blood in the urine (hematuria).
• Pain in the kidney or stomach area.
• Loss of appetite and weight loss.
• Vomiting.
• Increased thirst and more frequent, smaller urination (polyuria).
• Difficulty urinating (dysuria).
• Fatigue or lack of energy.

If your dog shows any of these symptoms, you should take it to a specialist right away to confirm the diagnosis. This often requires an X-ray or abdominal ultrasound.

In addition, urine tests will show whether there's any infection in the urinary tract, which can help identify the type of stone. This is important to know, since it will determine the treatment to follow.

Treatment for Canine Kidney Stones

The type of stone and the problems it's causing the dog will affect the treatment. If there's a blockage, emergency surgery will most likely be needed.

Other stones can be dissolved with a special diet that helps break them down and change the pH of the urine. Some stones (nephroliths), such as oxalates, can't be treated this way and must be removed through surgery, laser, sound waves, or medication.

Once removed, the dog may still need a special diet or medication for life. To avoid reaching that point, we can take some precautions to help prevent kidney stones in dogs.

How to Prevent Kidney Stones in Dogs

Some good practices that help prevent kidney stones from forming in dogs are as follows:

1. Change the water in its bowl daily. It's important for it to have constant access to fresh, clean water, since this helps dilute the urine and flush out the minerals that form stones. If the dog is especially energetic or it's hot out, it will need more water. If it doesn't drink enough on its own, try adding a bit of warm water to the kibble or giving it more wet food.
2. Watch its diet. Using high-quality dog food also helps. Your vet can recommend a suitable diet to prevent kidney stones from forming. Ideally, it shouldn't be too rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and protein (meat or organ meat). There are also nutritional supplements that support urinary tract health.
3. Regular exercise. Walks will help keep the dog in shape. A daily walk, with time to relieve itself, will help its kidneys function better.

These three aspects are key to preventing kidney stones from forming and keeping our furry friend from developing kidney problems. It's important to always keep them in mind, especially for breeds more prone to developing this type of disorder.

Finally, regular check-ups and staying alert to any warning sign will let you catch any potential kidney stone as early as possible.