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 toapayohvets.com
Date:   01 September, 2009
Focus: Small animals - dogs, cats, hamsters & rabbits

 
The Death Sentence for Producing Urinary Stones - How to prevent recurrences
 Dr Sing Kong Yuen, BVMS (Glasgow), MRCVS
Updated:  01 September, 2009
 
Many times, it is a death sentence when the pet dog produces urinary stones again as the average Singaporean dog owner feels that the surgical treatment, hospitalisation, nursing care and medication from around S$900 at Toa Payoh Vets to over $2,500 elsewhere are "expensive". Unfortunately, urinary stones do recur in some dogs such as the Miniature Schnauzer.

Recurring urinary stones Miniature Schnauzer Toa Payoh VetsSome tips to prevent recurrences of struvite stones are:

1. BREED. Breeds like the Miniature Schnauzer are prone to producing urinary stones. Urinary examination at least 3-monthly will be ideal. If not, during the yearly vaccination, ask your vet to do a urinary analysis.

2. DIET. No dry dog food definitely. No canned foods or treats. Special low stone prescription diet or home-cooked food.

3. URINE pH, S.G,  Red and White Blood Cells measured weekly using dipsticks in collaboration with your vet.

4. WATER INTAKE. Measure diligently and scientifically 24-hourly water drunk in collaboration with your vet. Some sedentary dogs need to be encouraged to drink by more exercise or supervision.

5. ACIDIFICATION OF THE URINE if the urine pH is 7.0 and higher in collaboration with your vet.

6. BLADDER PALPATION. If stones or a crackling gassy sound are felt, it is bad news. Consult your vet promptly.
Recurring bladder stones female miniature schnauzer. Toa Payoh Vets Recurring bladder stones female cocker spaniel. Toa Payoh Vets

2 female dogs with blood in the urine. Both had dry dog food. The Schnauzer, peeing out stones, was fed home-cooked food at the same time as another dog (Golden Retriever) was fed dry food by the maid 8 months ago after consulting me about "no surgery". She was given acidification tablets and C/D diet for 1 month and had no longer produced stones. She might have eaten some dry food and produced stones 8 months after my consultation.

The Cocker Spaniel had fish-based dry dog food for 8 years and was observed to have haematuria 2 months ago.  A vet advised medication to dissolve the stones in view of the high anaesthetic risk of operating on a senior dog. 

The objective is to prevent struvite crystal formation by ensuring that the bladder is free from bacterial infections and that the urine pH is alkaline. The dog owner has to be educated in prevention and to take good care post-surgery in collaboration with their vet keeping proper records. Unfortunately, few owners bother. A recurrence means a death sentence usually during times of recession. The guidelines apply to the prevention of struvite (triple phosphate) urinary stones only.

References:
Bladder Stone case studies
 The Vet's Best Is Not Good Enough
 

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