What are bladder stones

Bladder stones, also known as urinary stones or uroliths, are abnormal accumulations of minerals and other substances in the bladder. Canine urine contains many substances that normally remain dissolved. When urine is too concentrated, these dissolved substances can crystallize. Common urinary crystals in dogs are struvite, calcium oxalate, urate, calcium phosphate, silicate and cystine. Over time, the crystals can combine with bacteria and other substances to form bladder stones.

How bladder stones form

Canine urine contains many different minerals or salts that usually remain dissolved in the liquid. When urine becomes too concentrated or "supersaturated," these dissolved salts precipitate out of the fluid and form solids in the form of crystals. These crystals can damage the lining of the urethra, cause blood in the urine (hematuria), and may predispose affected dogs to bacterial urinary tract infections. Over time, mineral crystals can coalesce with other substances (which can include bacteria) and coalesce to form stones, or stones as they are commonly called. When stones form in any part of the urinary tract, they are called uroliths.

Factors of urinary system infection

The urinary system of dogs is infected by some bacteria (such as Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus bacteria, etc.), which damages the urethra epithelium, causing epithelial cells to fall off and casts to form, resulting in The core of the stone is formed; in addition, lack of vitamin A or the use of estrogen and the stimulation of surgical threads can also cause epithelial shedding, resulting in the core of the stone; these factors are all inducements to the formation of urethral stones.

If the relative balance between salt crystals and colloids in urine is destroyed, salt crystals in urine will continue to be produced and attach to core foreign bodies to form stones.

Drinking water factors

Dogs that don’t like to drink water or don’t drink enough water will have a higher rate of developing bladder and urethral stones. Similarly, insufficient drinking water will cause the urine to concentrate, causing stone crystals in the urine. In a supersaturated state, it is easier to form crystalline precipitation, which can further increase the chance of stone formation.

Individual factors such as breed, gender, and sterilization

Generally, the clinical incidence of vesico-urethral stones in male dogs is higher than that in female dogs. This is due to the physiological structure of male dogs. The relatively long urinary tract increases the chance of stone formation, and male dogs often suffer from bladder stones and urethral stones at the same time.

In addition, the incidence of urinary stones in sterilized dogs will be higher, which may be due to the tendency of urethral obstruction after neutering.

Different breeds of dogs also have certain differences in the incidence of stones, such as Pekingese dogs and Shih Tzu dogs.The prevalence of urinary stones in dogs, pugs, etc. is also relatively high. I personally think it may be related to the low amount of exercise, because small amounts of exercise can easily cause crystals to accumulate in the urine. This is the same as for humans. As you may know, some people have urinary stones. In less serious cases, one solution is to let the patient jump. It sounds a bit ridiculous, but it is indeed useful.