# Kidney Stones in Dogs: What Every Dog Lover Needs to Know - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/kidney-stones-in-dogs-what-every-dog-lover-needs-to-know/ - Published: 2024-03-18 - Author: Savanna Read - Categories: [Dog](https://33rdsquare.com/category/dog/) --- As a dog lover, you‘d do anything to keep your furry family member healthy and comfortable. So when you notice Fido straining to pee, passing blood-tinged urine, or whimpering when you touch his belly, your heart sinks with worry. Could it be a urinary tract infection? Bladder stones? Or perhaps the lesser-known but equally painful culprit: kidney stones. While bladder stones occur more commonly in dogs, kidney stones are likely underdiagnosed. Recent research suggests kidney stones in dogs are more prevalent than previously thought, with one study finding evidence of nephroliths in nearly 1% of dogs undergoing abdominal imaging.(1) As a veterinarian passionate about dogs, I believe it‘s crucial for owners to understand this hidden threat to their pup‘s urinary health. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know about kidney stones in dogs – from risk factors and clinical signs to the latest in diagnosis and treatment. My goal is to empower you with knowledge so you can be proactive in keeping your dog‘s kidneys stone-free. Let‘s get started! ## What are Kidney Stones in Dogs? Kidney stones, medically termed nephroliths, are solid mineral deposits that form within the kidney. Though more common in cats, dogs can develop several different types of kidney stones: - **Calcium Oxalate**: Most common type in dogs, especially in smaller breeds like miniature schnauzers, shih tzus, and lhasa apsos. Form in acidic urine. - **Struvite**: Composed of magnesium, ammonium, and phosphate. More common in dogs with urinary tract infections. Form in alkaline urine. - **Urate**: Made of uric acid. Seen most frequently in Dalmatians and English bulldogs due to a genetic predisposition. - **Cystine**: Rare type composed of the amino acid cystine. Seen in dogs with an inherited metabolic disorder affecting kidney tubular transport. - **Calcium Phosphate**: Uncommon type that forms in neutral to alkaline urine. - **Mixed**: Some stones contain layers of different minerals. Small kidney stones, especially those under 2-3mm in diameter, may not cause any symptoms. Nicknamed "silent stones," they‘re often discovered incidentally when imaging the belly for another issue. However, larger stones can wreak havoc on a dog‘s urinary system, leading to potentially life-threatening obstructions. ### Kidney Stone Prevalence in Dogs Curious how common kidney stones truly are in dogs? One retrospective study analyzing abdominal radiographs and ultrasounds of over 4,000 dogs found evidence of kidney stones in 0.9% of cases. Calcium oxalate was the most frequently identified stone type. Interestingly, kidney stones were nearly twice as prevalent in male dogs (1.2%) compared to females (0.6%).(1) When it comes to breed predisposition, small breed dogs are over-represented, accounting for 58% of dogs with kidney stones in one study.(2) Miniature schnauzers, in particular, seem extra susceptible to calcium oxalate stones. One study found 8 out of 40 (20%) of miniature schnauzers had kidney stones on autopsy.(2) While kidney stones can occur at any age, most dogs diagnosed are middle-aged to older. In one study, dogs with calcium oxalate and compound stones had a median age of 8 and 10 years old, respectively.(2) | Breed | Percent with Kidney Stones | | --- | --- | | Miniature Schnauzer | 20% | | Yorkshire Terrier | 5% | | Shih Tzu | 4% | | Lhasa Apso | 4% | | Pomeranian | 3% | _Table 1. Breeds with highest incidence of kidney stones based on one study.(2)_ ## Signs of Kidney Stones in Dogs Worried your dog may be suffering from kidney stones? Look out for these clinical signs: - Straining to urinate - Frequent small urinations - Blood in urine - Urinary accidents in the house - Excessive genital licking - Abdominal pain/hunched posture - Lack of appetite - Lethargy - Vomiting It‘s crucial to see your veterinarian right away if you notice any of these red flags. Urinary symptoms often overlap with other conditions like bladder infections or prostate disease, so an exam and testing are needed to determine the underlying cause. For Martha, a 10-year-old female schnauzer, the first sign something was amiss was blood spots on her bedding. She began straining to pee, producing only small squirts of urine each time. Concerned, her owner brought her to the vet, where an ultrasound revealed a 6mm stone lodged at the junction of her right kidney and ureter. Poor Martha was in agony until emergency surgery freed the obstruction. Her story highlights the importance of proactive screening, especially in high-risk breeds. ## Diagnosing Kidney Stones in Dogs If your vet suspects kidney stones based on your dog‘s clinical signs and physical exam, they‘ll likely recommend some combination of the following tests: - **Urinalysis**: Checks for blood, crystals, protein, and signs of infection in urine. May reveal telltale crystals if recently passed in urine. - **Urine culture**: Looks for bacterial growth to rule out a concurrent urinary tract infection and guide antibiotic choice if needed. - **Blood work**: Complete blood count and chemistry screen to assess kidney function, electrolytes, and calcium levels. May show kidney values trending up if an obstruction is present. - **Abdominal radiographs**: X-rays visualize the location and size of mineral dense stones. About 3mm is the lower limit for detection on a radiograph. - **Abdominal ultrasound**: More sensitive than X-rays for finding small stones. Allows assessment of kidney swelling from an obstruction. Doesn‘t always differentiate stones from kidney mineralization. The gold standard for knowing the stone type present requires sending a passed stone or surgically-removed fragment for mineral analysis. This guides long-term dietary and medical treatment aimed at dissolving existing stones and preventing new ones. Exciting new research in human medicine shows promise for applying dual-energy CT scans and machine learning algorithms to non-invasively determine kidney stone composition. Hopefully these cutting-edge techniques will translate to our veterinary patients soon!(3) ## Treating Kidney Stones in Dogs Treatment for kidney stones depends on their size, location, and mineral makeup. Small, non-obstructive stones may be managed with close monitoring, dietary modification, and medications. However, bigger stones causing a blockage or unrelenting pain require surgical intervention. ### Medical Dissolution Therapy Struvite and sometimes urate stones may dissolve with special veterinary diets that manipulate urine pH and restrict calculogenic minerals. A prescription canned food like Hill‘s Prescription Diet s/d or Royal Canin Urinary S/O combined with potassium citrate is typically used for struvites, while Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary U/C or Hill‘s Prescription Diet u/d combined with potassium citrate targets urate stones. Dietary treatment requires careful monitoring with regular urine tests and imaging to track stone dissolution. For large stones, it may take several months of strict feeding before they fully resolve. And unfortunately, calcium oxalate and cystine stones won‘t budge with diet changes alone. ### Surgical Removal For obstructive, persistent, or massive kidney stones, surgical removal is typically necessary. In the traditional open approach, the vet makes an abdominal incision and cuts into the kidney to pluck out the offending stones. For stones that migrate into the ureter, accessing them may require moving the intestines aside or even cutting the ureter itself. Less invasive options utilize a fiberoptic camera threaded up the urinary tract via the urethra to laser-blast stones under direct visualization. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) delivers focused ultrasound waves to fragment stones from outside the body. Both these advanced techniques spare the pain and recovery time of open surgery but require specialized equipment only available at select referral hospitals. ### Preventing Future Stones Frustratingly, having kidney stones once boosts the odds of recurrence, with up to 50% or more reforming within a few years.(2) Partnering with your vet on a comprehensive prevention plan is key to outwitting these stubborn stones. Strategies include: - **Feeding a stone-specific therapeutic diet** that makes urine less hospitable for that crystal type - **Encouraging ample water intake** by offering fresh water bowls, pet fountains, or low-sodium broth - **Allowing frequent potty breaks** so urine doesn‘t have time to concentrate in the bladder - **Urinary supplements** like potassium citrate or sodium bisphosphate to alter urine pH - **Regular urine tests and imaging** to catch any new stones early while they‘re still small For high-risk breeds like Dalmatians or schnauzers, starting preventive protocols early – ideally before any stones develop – offers the best shot at a stone-free future. ## Kidney Stones‘ Impact on Quality of Life Undetected or undertreated, kidney stones can seriously dampen your dog‘s quality of life. The pain from an obstructive stone can be excruciating, leading some dogs to whine, shake, hide, or even snap if touched. Frequent urges to go combined with difficulty urinating can cause frustrating accidents and interrupted sleep. In severe cases, the kidney may suffer irreversible damage, even necessitating removal if infection or scarring sets in. On the flip side, dogs who receive prompt treatment and stick to a prevention plan often bounce back to their happy-go-lucky selves. After recovering from surgery to remove a 12mm calcium oxalate stone, Jake the 6-year-old schnauzer mix is now cruising stone-free on a special diet and anti-inflammatory herbs. His relieved owner reports, "It‘s like he‘s a puppy again – racing around the backyard and snoozing soundly through the night." ## The Bottom Line As a devoted dog lover, arming yourself with knowledge about kidney stones can help you be proactive in protecting your pup‘s urinary health. While not as common as bladder stones, kidney stones are likely an underestimated threat, especially for high-risk breeds like miniature schnauzers and Dalmatians. Knowing the signs of urinary trouble, keeping up with annual vet exams, and feeding a thoughtful diet go a long way in preventing painful stones from forming. If your furry friend does develop kidney stones, take heart that treatment options have come a long way in veterinary medicine. From targeted diets that dissolve stones to minimally-invasive procedures for removing them, there‘s almost always a solution to get your pup back to stone-free bliss. The key is working closely with your vet to create an individualized treatment and prevention plan. By staying informed and proactive, you can help your loyal companion live their best life – full of tail wags, belly rubs, and blissfully boring bathroom breaks. That‘s the ultimate reward for us dog lovers! ## References 1. Braz PH, Filho DMC, Barros GS, et al. Prevalence of nephro and ureterolithiasis in dogs using ultrasound and radiography. J Small Anim Pract. 2020;61(1):53-58. 2. Ulrich LK, Osborne CA, Cokley A, Lulich JP. Changing paradigms in the frequency and management of canine compound uroliths. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2009;39(1):41-53. 3. Zhang Y, Zheng Y, Tang K. Artificial intelligence in determining kidney stone composition: Evaluation and application of deep learning approaches. Urology. 2022 Jan;159:88-94. --- Source: [Kidney Stones in Dogs: What Every Dog Lover Needs to Know](https://33rdsquare.com/kidney-stones-in-dogs-what-every-dog-lover-needs-to-know/)