Female dogs are prone to developing kidney stones due to a combination of genetic and dietary factors.
Certain breeds, such as the Miniature Schnauzer and the Shetland Sheepdog, are more susceptible to kidney stones.
A diet high in protein and calcium can increase the risk of kidney stones in female dogs.
Regular exercise can help prevent kidney stones by promoting urine production and flushing out minerals that can contribute to stone formation.
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What Are Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones are small, hard mineral deposits that form inside a dog's kidneys, causing pain and discomfort. They can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a pea.
Kidney stones are made up of minerals such as calcium, oxalate, and urate, which are found in a dog's urine.
These stones can cause a dog to show symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and blood in the urine.
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Causes and Types
Female dog kidney stones can be caused by a diet high in animal protein, which can lead to an increased concentration of minerals in the urine, making it more likely for stones to form.
Many female dogs are prone to kidney stones due to their genetic predisposition, with some breeds being more susceptible than others.
A diet rich in calcium can also contribute to the development of kidney stones in female dogs.
Female dogs with a history of urinary tract infections may be more likely to develop kidney stones.
Female dogs who are overweight or obese are at a higher risk for developing kidney stones due to their increased body mass.
Kidney stones can be classified into different types, including struvite stones, which are often caused by bacterial infections in the urinary tract.
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Diagnosis and Removal
A complete blood count, serum biochemistry panel, urinalysis with culture, and diagnostic imaging are the minimum database for patients presenting with lower urinary tract signs.
Urinalysis can help identify crystals and infection, as well as document the pH and urine specific gravity. Refrigeration and prolonged storage time can cause crystal precipitation, so it's essential to analyze urine within 1 hour of collection.
Diagnostic imaging should consist of abdominal radiography and urinary ultrasonography, as not all uroliths are radiopaque. Radiographs can help provide insight into stone type, but there's significant overlap between types of stones. Ultrasonography can identify radiolucent stones like urate, xanthine, and small cystine stones.
For struvite stones, antibiotics should be administered throughout the entire dissolution period because live bacteria will be released as the stones dissolve.
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Diagnostic Tests
Diagnostic tests are a crucial part of diagnosing urinary issues in dogs. A complete blood count, serum biochemistry panel, urinalysis with culture, and diagnostic imaging are all necessary for a proper diagnosis.
Urinalysis can help identify crystals and infection, as well as document the pH and urine specific gravity. It's essential to analyze urine within 1 hour of collection to minimize temperature- and time-dependent changes in sediment.
Refrigeration and prolonged storage time can cause crystal precipitation, so it's best to analyze fresh, room-temperature urine. However, even in fresh urine, crystalluria is clinically insignificant.
Crystalluria is not a disease and doesn't necessarily indicate the animal is at risk for urolithiasis.
To help prevent recurrence of calcium oxalate stones, increased water intake is likely the most important factor. Failure of uroliths to dissolve is common when urine targets are not met.
Diagnostic imaging should consist of abdominal radiography (to include the urethra) and urinary ultrasonography. Not all uroliths are radiopaque, so ultrasonography can help identify radiolucent stones such as urate, xanthine, and small cystine stones.
Here are some key points to keep in mind when interpreting diagnostic imaging results:
- Struvite stones are less radiopaque than calcium oxalate and tend to be larger.
- Calcium oxalate typically accumulates as many small, irregular stones.
- Ultrasonography can overestimate the size of a stone by 68%, whereas radiographs are more accurate in helping predict stone size.
Minimally Invasive Urolith Removal
Traditional cystotomy, a surgical procedure, can result in incomplete stone removal in 20% of dogs.
Minimally invasive methods for stone removal are now preferred over traditional cystotomy due to their effectiveness.
Suture within the urinary bladder may be responsible for 9% of recurrent cystoliths, making minimally invasive methods an attractive option.
Minimally invasive methods may decrease surgical pain, lower the rate of incomplete stone removal, and decrease risk of suture nidus.
Treating and Preventing Calcium Oxalate Stones
Calcium oxalate stones are the most common type of kidney stone in female dogs, making up about 85% of all cases.
If your dog has developed a calcium oxalate stone, your veterinarian may recommend a treatment plan that includes increasing her fluid intake, as dehydration can exacerbate the problem.
To prevent calcium oxalate stones, it's essential to monitor your dog's urine pH levels, as a high pH can increase the risk of stone formation.
A diet rich in animal protein and low in calcium can help reduce the risk of calcium oxalate stones.
Increasing your dog's intake of certain nutrients, such as citrate, magnesium, and potassium, can also help prevent stone formation.
Some foods, like spinach and beets, are high in oxalates and can increase the risk of calcium oxalate stones.
Regular veterinary check-ups can help detect any potential issues before they become major problems.
General Information
Female dogs are more prone to kidney stones than their male counterparts, with a higher incidence rate in certain breeds such as the Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso.
Kidney stones in female dogs are often caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, including a diet high in protein and a lack of sufficient water intake.
Female dogs are more likely to develop kidney stones due to their anatomy, as their ureters are shorter and more prone to blockages.
Kidney stones can be painful and even life-threatening if left untreated, so it's essential to seek veterinary attention if you suspect your female dog is suffering from this condition.
Some symptoms of kidney stones in female dogs include frequent urination, straining while urinating, and blood in the urine.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do female dogs get kidney stones?
Female dogs can develop kidney stones due to high blood calcium levels, liver disease, or nutrient imbalances, but not typically due to infection. Understanding the underlying causes is crucial for effective prevention and treatment.
How do you treat bladder stones in female dogs?
Treatment for bladder stones in female dogs typically involves antibiotics and special diets to dissolve the stones, or in some cases, surgical removal. Preventing UTIs and dietary changes can also help reduce the risk of stone recurrence.
How do I know if my dog passes a kidney stone?
Your veterinarian can diagnose kidney stones through an abdominal x-ray or ultrasound, and a urinalysis can detect blood, pH imbalances, and crystals in your dog's urine
What is the treatment for kidney stones in dogs?
Treatment for kidney stones in dogs typically involves skilled surgery or specialized techniques to break stones into smaller pieces that can pass out in the urine. Veterinary urologists can provide expert care to help your dog recover from kidney stone surgery or treatment.
Sources
- Managing Urolithiasis in Dogs (todaysveterinarypractice.com)
- Novel Procedure Relieves Dog of Kidney Stones (ucdavis.edu)
- Kidney Stones in Dogs: What You Need to Know (pethealthnetwork.com)
- kidney (petmd.com)
- Preventing Bladder and Kidney Stones in Dogs (whole-dog-journal.com)
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