Bladder Stones In Dogs And Cats

Bladder stones, also known as uroliths, are rock-like mineral deposits that form inside the bladder of the dog or cat. The most common symptoms of bladder stones are blood in the urine, a frequent need to toilet yet passing only small amounts of urine, straining when urinating, and increased licking of the genitalia.

Bladder stones may develop due to untreated bacterial infections of the urinary tract, but may also form if the pet is fed an unsuitable diet or insufficient amounts of water. Some medical conditions such as portosystemic shunts and hyperadrenocorticism can also increase the risk of forming uroliths.

The diagnosis of bladder stones is commonly made with radiography (X-ray) and urine analysis. At times, an ultrasound scan may also be required as some rare types of bladder stones do not show up well on radiographs.

The treatment of bladder stones will depend on the mineral content and the size of the uroliths. Bladder stones that contain struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate) may be amenable to dissolution with an appropriate urine acidifying diet. However, bladder stones that contain calcium oxalate or urate cannot be dissolved and will usually require surgical removal or retrieval via cystoscopy.