Urolithiasis in dogs: symptoms, treatment, therapeutic diet, medications. Common urolithiasis in dogs: why it appears, how to rid your shaggy friend of the pathology High-quality dog ​​food for urolithiasis

Urolithiasis is a treatable disease if it is properly diagnosed and treated. It is worth understanding that if you do not feed your dog properly when it has urolithiasis, no medications will help. A properly selected diet is an integral part of treatment.

The dog will become healthy much faster if its diet helps dissolve stones (uroliths). Proper feeding is the most important part of therapy, even if the dog had to undergo surgery, since a weakened body can lead to a relapse of the disease.

Rocks and sand never just form, and as you can imagine, they won't magically dissolve. The diet is designed in such a way as to create a deficiency of certain mineral compounds that the body will take from the stones.

Simply put, the urine should not contain enough of the substance that makes up sand or stones. If there are errors in choosing a diet and the urine is oversaturated with components, the stones will grow and the disease will progress.

In addition to diet, the composition of urine is changed using drug therapy. Dissolution of the stone will not occur if measures are applied temporarily, the diet is disrupted or treatment is interrupted. According to the experience of doctors, stones in the bladder are eliminated faster because they are constantly in a deficient environment. Kidney stones and sand can also be dissolved if the kidneys are functioning at a normal pace, but it will take longer.

With proper treatment and strict adherence to the diet, bladder stones dissolve in 2–6 months.

In addition to the natural dissolution of urates, struvites, oxalates and sand, there are medical techniques that include a wide range of techniques. Before starting treatment, a urine test is required, because if the doctor does not know which element is the basis of stones or sand, he will not be able to select an adequate treatment.

Experience shows that random treatment wastes valuable time., and sometimes to an increase in stones. By the way, the stone does not necessarily consist of only one main trace element, that is, the diet is selected to create a deficiency of several minerals.

During treatment, the dog is regularly examined to track the dynamics. If the stones do not decrease within 2 months, another attempt is made to correct the diet. The third attempt was not given and the quadruped was operated on. In acute conditions, when the dog is unable to urinate or is in serious condition, surgery is performed immediately.

Every 1–3 weeks or as determined by the attending physician, the dog must visit the clinic for the following procedures:

• General blood test with biochemistry.
• General analysis and urine culture.
• If available at the clinic, an x-ray or ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity.

It is worth understanding that methods for the treatment and prevention of urolithiasis are strictly individual for each dog. If there is a need for surgery, the doctor must take into account the animal's age, gender, body type, size and location of the bladder, type of urolithiasis and severity of the condition. Since pathology affects the kidneys, that is, the filtering organ, drugs for anesthesia are selected after preliminary tests for sensitivity.

If a dog has been diagnosed and treated for urolithiasis, there is always a risk of relapse if prevention is not carried out.

Diet for struvite

Struvite stones are almost always accompanied by infectious inflammation of the bladder, ureters or urethra. The infection is eliminated with antimicrobial and broad-spectrum drugs. The best option for selecting medications is urine culture to identify the type of pathogen.

Treatment and prevention are similar: eliminate the infection and make sure it really isn't there. The tests are repeated until the picture becomes clear, since symptomatic treatment can lead to relief and incomplete elimination of the infection. After the stones have dissolved, active treatment continues for 7–10 days, during which urine alkalinity is monitored several times a day.

Struvite can be sterile, meaning the disease is not accompanied by infection. In this case, treatment is carried out only on the basis of diet. By the way, sterile struvite dissolves faster.

Recurrence of the formation of struvite stones, the treatment of which was not complicated by infection, is very difficult to predict, since there will be no obvious symptoms. In this case, the emphasis is on diet. For prevention purposes, the dog is fed products with the effect of oxidizing urine or used special veterinary supplements(with natural feeding).

The diet for illness is selected to increase the deficiency of phosphates, magnesium and ammonium. If you buy dry food, it should be a good quality product, marked S/D and with a reduced protein content. Some medicinal foods deliberately increase the salt content and special attention should be paid to this. The option is acceptable because the dog drinks more, and the urine becomes less concentrated, that is, stones dissolve in it faster. On the other side, For urolithiasis, most dogs are prescribed a strictly salt-free diet.

Important! If a dog has kidney ailments, except for urolithiasis, the therapeutic diet is introduced step by step, by substitution, and over a period of 1.5–2 weeks.

With a natural diet, the dog's food is hydrated as much as possible. It is advisable not to give tap water, but to use purified, bottled water. The diet is designed with an emphasis on increasing calcium and phosphorus deficiency. It is important not to lead the animal’s body to a deficiency of microelements and, at the same time, to provoke the dissolution of stones. To make the task easier, special mineral supplements and urine oxidizers are used. When treating urolithiasis on a natural diet, strictly prevent overeating. Meals should be small meals, without additional snacks.

Diet for urates

Urates dissolve in urine with an increased alkalinity. This is one of the most difficult variants of the disease, both for diagnosis and treatment. If therapy is successful, the stones dissolve or are significantly reduced within 4 months. Treatment is continued for another 30–35 days after complete dissolution, since urates are least visible during ultrasound examination.

Food for dogs with this type of urolithiasis contains a low dosage of protein and is divided into two types:

• Feed marked S/D(we talked about it above) – minus: leads to oxidation of urine; plus: contains salt (is an advantage if a salt-free diet is not indicated).
• Feed marked U/D– plus: it alkalinizes urine faster; minus: does not contain salt.

A universal industrial diet to combat urate specifically has not yet been developed, since almost every case is individual.

A dog that has been diagnosed with urate is prescribed a lifelong therapeutic diet and regular examinations. A urine test is used as an indicator, which must be taken at least once every 3 months.

Diet for cystine stones

One of the cases in which medicated treading is more important than medicinal food. The diet is selected to alkalize urine and increase its volume. Simply put, the dog needs to drink more, this will lead to the active production of less concentrated urine, in which the stones will dissolve. It is recommended to limit the diet of a dog with this type of urolithiasis to U/D type food.

Cystine– this is a substance that cannot be globally influenced by diet. Moreover, practically nothing can affect cystine in terms of natural dissolution. For treatment, cystine is replaced with disulfide, a substance more susceptible to dissolution. Treatment should only be carried out under the supervision of a physician, since all targeted medications have an extensive list of side effects. As an enhancer of the effect, drugs for alkalizing urine are used in treatment.

Prevention of cystine urolithiasis is similar to therapy when urates are detected.

Diet for calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stones

The problem with the treatment and prevention of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stones is that scientists cannot give unambiguous explanations of why stones of these types are formed. Veterinarians have no alternatives but to treat this type of urolithiasis, by analogy with human medicine or at random (intuitively). As a preventive measure, the first most important thing is diet, that is, the most balanced diet, or better yet, medicinal food. Diuretics are used as additional therapy (if necessary).

It is believed that one of the reasons for the formation of stones is excess calcium in the body. In this case, it is important to determine and eliminate the cause of excessive intake of microelements into the body. The difficulty is that excess calcium can only be a trigger, that is, after eliminating hypercalcemia, the problem with stones remains.

The therapeutic diet consists of reducing the mass fraction of protein without reference to microelements (except calcium). When choosing food, the choice should be made on medicinal products that do not lead to urine oxidation. Typically, such foods do not contain salt and are labeled with the abbreviations K/D and U/D.

When treating calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stones, the dog is prescribed a salt-free diet. Additionally, using salt to increase your water intake is strongly discouraged.

Natural diet for urolithiasis

If you do not have the opportunity to buy expensive food or you decide to feed your dog with ICD natural food for another reason, there are a number of recommendations that you need to keep in mind.

The first of these is the quality of food. An incorrectly selected diet contributes to the formation of stones and sand. The second is the frequency of feeding. Few people know, but after eating, the alkali level in the urine increases slightly, and then returns to normal. If a bowl of food is constantly available to your pet, and he snacks at every opportunity, this leads to severe alkalization of urine. Urolithiasis is just one of the consequences of improper feeding. An overeating dog has a sharply increased risk of developing pyelonephritis and other kidney pathologies.

Calcium deficiency, no matter how strange it may sound, leads to the formation of stones, since the metabolism of microelements in the body is disrupted. Excess calcium also provokes sand formation. The conclusion is simple - it is not the presence or absence of calcium that is important, but the balance.

The next important recommendation is maintaining a balance in the energy value of the diet. The longer a dog eats a large amount of cereal, the worse the mucous membranes (including the bladder) work. How is it possible, you say, medicinal food contains a reduced amount of protein, porridge (that is, carbohydrates) is also not allowed, so what should you feed the dog? Oddly enough, with urolithiasis, you need to think not about what to feed, but how not to violate the common truths - that is maintain a balance of protein, carbohydrates and fats. Don’t forget about fiber (plant foods), which should make up at least 30% of a healthy dog’s total diet.

Water plays an important role in the treatment and prevention of urolithiasis. When choosing a therapeutic diet, you strictly calculate the amount of salts, but by giving your dog tap water, you throw all the calculations down the drain. Tap water is saturated and oversaturated with salts and, to put it mildly, unnecessary elements (especially hard water). If your pet is prone to or has been diagnosed with urolithiasis, recommended purchase purified water or install a filter at home.

Lifestyle is an important aspect of prevention, which does not depend on the type of diet. The less a dog moves, the more its metabolism slows down. By the way, high-quality nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle are also the causes of obesity.

If you do not feed your dog special food, and it has a tendency to urolithiasis, you should know about one more nuance. There is an opinion that it is enough for a four-legged dog to walk 2 times a day, but it does not take into account the fact that stagnation of urine (while the dog endures it) provokes the development of urolithiasis. Small dogs are trained to use a litter tray; this is convenient for owners and serves as a preventative measure. Large dogs should be walked as often as possible or switched to medicated food.

Some dog breeds are genetically prone to urolithiasis.

If you decide to purchase a pet of a high-risk breed, visit the veterinarian at least once every six months and be prepared at any time to switch your pet from preventative to therapeutic food.

Myths about urolithiasis

Owners often blame themselves for the fact that their pet is sick, and this happens after a friend or veterinarian voices common myths about the disease. The first and most common misconception sounds different, but has the same meaning - a sterilized pet needs to be fed only medicated food, otherwise he/she will develop urolithiasis.

The only factor that can support this statement is the natural decrease in the animal’s mobility. If you devote time to your pet, feed it properly and play with it, castration or sterilization is not a risk factor or cause of the development of urolithiasis.

Fish is a healthy, but not entirely unnatural, food for dogs. Recently, a diet containing fish has been considered the cause of urolithiasis, which is not very correct. The risk increases if you feed the animal only fish, and urolithiasis is not the only consequence. If the pet receives a balanced diet with fish, there is no threat.

We offer to buy medicinal food for dogs with urolithiasis. Veterinary nutrition is designed to solve animal problems during treatment, as well as for prevention. For each dog with its own individual characteristics, you can choose the ideal diet.

Use of dog food for urolithiasis

Manufacturers produce canned and dry food for dogs with urolithiasis. The animal becomes capricious and picky during the period of illness, taking this into account, manufacturers have created many different flavors and forms of release - wet food and dry croquettes.

Special diets for urolithiasis are designed to solve problems in dogs or provide supportive therapy for:

• bacterial cystitis;
• dissolution of struvite;
• prevention of relapses of urolithiasis, which can be caused by both struvite and calcium oxalates.

The unique formulation of dog food for the prevention of urolithiasis promotes the dissolution of struvite stones and creates an acidic urine environment, which also has a beneficial effect on your pet’s body.

Contraindications to medicinal feeds for urolithiasis

Before using such nutrition, you should consult a doctor, because it has a number of contraindications, including:

• period of pregnancy and lactation;
• chronic renal failure;
• pancreatitis (including previously suffered);
• heart problems;

Also, dry food for dogs with urolithiasis cannot be combined with medications that cause acidification of urine. The course of treatment is 1.5-4 months; prevention of such a disease can last up to six months.

Buy dog ​​food for urolithiasis

In our online store “12 Monkeys” you will find a wide selection of medicinal foods:

• Appetizing-looking pieces of meat and excellent taste. Thus, the pet will happily eat medicinal food for dogs with urolithiasis and receive the necessary treatment;
• safe ingredients when followed correctly. All ingredients are carefully selected, so that such food will not contain food additives, dyes and suspicious sources of protein, thereby significantly reducing the risk of allergic reactions;
• nutritious diets. In addition to its therapeutic effects, the food contains protein, fats and carbohydrates necessary for a pet.

From us you can purchase dry food for dogs with ICD, as well as special canned food. Among our products there are special nutrition lines from brands such as Royal Canin, Purina, Hill's, Farmina and others. You can purchase in packages from 200 g to 12 kg.

Farmina (Farmina) Vet Life Struvite Management- Dietary food for dogs with relapses of urolithiasis, treatment and prevention of struvite urolithiasis and idiopathic cystitis.

Calcium sulfate ensures the maintenance of optimal urine pH, at which the formation of uroliths is inhibited. Low magnesium and phosphorus content promotes the dissolution of struvite and reduces the risk of their re-formation. Low calcium content reduces the risk of calcium oxalate formation. Natural antioxidants protect cells from the negative effects of free radicals. The high biological value of protein ensures an optimal ratio of essential amino acids. Glucosaminoglycans protect the bladder mucosa from the effects of microorganisms and toxins, have an anti-inflammatory effect and reduce irritation of sensitive pain receptors.

INGREDIENTS

Rice, dehydrated chicken meat, animal fats, potatoes, oats, hydrolyzed animal proteins, dehydrated whole eggs, fish oil, flaxseed, potassium chloride, calcium sulfate, calcium carbonate, vegetable oil, sodium chloride, glucosamine, calcium sulfate (5g/ kg).

NUTRIENTS

Moisture 9.00%, crude protein 19.50%, crude fats and oils 19.00%, crude fiber 1.30%, crude ash 5.40%, calcium 0.80%, phosphorus 0.50%, sodium 0 .25%, potassium 0.60%, magnesium 0.06%, chlorides 0.60%, sulfur 0.55%; Omega-3 0.35%; Omega-6 2.70%, EPA 0.10%, DHA 0.15%. Energy value: 3,900 kcal/kg - 16.3 MJ/kg.

Nutritional supplements per 1 kg: Vitamin A 15000 IU, Vitamin D3 600 IU, Vitamin E (alpha tocopherol 91%) 600 mg, Vitamin C 150 mg, Vitamin PP 38 mg, D-pantothenic acid 15 mg, Vitamin B2 7.5 mg, Vitamin B6 6 mg, Vitamin B1 4.5 mg, Vitamin K3 (MSB 53%) 1.5 mg, Vitamin H 0.4 mg, folic acid 0.45 mg, Vitamin B12 0.06 mg, choline chloride 2000 mg, beta-carotene 1.5 mg, zinc oxide 145 mg, zinc sulfate monohydrate 160 mg, manganese sulfate monohydrate 188 mg; iron sulfate monohydrate 44 mg, iron carbonate 60 mg, copper sulfate pentahydrate 32 mg, anhydrous calcium iodate 2.0 mg, sodium selenite 15 mg, taurine 1000 mg, DL-methionine 3300 mg, L-carnitine 250 mg. Technological additives: microcrystalline cellulose, antioxidants, calcium sulfate dihydrate 5g.

Use as directed by a veterinarian. Recommended course of treatment: from 5 to 12 weeks to dissolve struvite and up to 6 months to prevent relapses. The recommended daily amount of feed is indicated in the table approximately; if necessary, feeding rates can be changed depending on the breed, living conditions, physical activity, and the stage and degree of the disease. The daily norm can be divided into 2 or more feedings. When using food, the dog must have constant access to fresh drinking water.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Vet Life Urinary Struvite food is contraindicated in puppies, pregnant and lactating dogs, with other types of urolithiasis, and when used in therapy with urine acidifiers.

STORAGE CONDITIONS

Store in closed containers in a cool, dry place. Shelf life - 12 months.

Urolithiasis in dogs (UCD) occurs when sand or stones appear in the kidneys and bladder, blocking the urinary tract. The crystallization process leads to impaired diuresis, the animal suffers pain every time it tries to defecate. Excessive accumulation of urine leads to intoxication of the animal's body.

What is this?

If a dog owner notices that his pupil is making puddles on the sofa or carpet, it is necessary to immediately contact a veterinary clinic. Timely diagnosis and proper treatment with drugs can eliminate the disease and prolong the life of the animal.

According to statistics, 15% dogs people of all ages suffer from urolithiasis, including:

• 10% of young individuals under 3 years of age;
• 20% of animals up to 6 years old inclusive;
• the remaining 70% are older pets (over 6 years old).

Causes

Deposits in the organs of the urinary system of animals are formed against the background of changes in the chemical composition of urine. The liquid can become alkalized or oxidized, which affects the composition of the stones. More on the factors contributing to the formation of stones.

• Infections caused by bacteria or viruses.

Bitches most often develop stones due to urinary tract infection. Incorrect treatment or lack thereof leads to the accumulation of bacteria and deterioration of urination due to inflammation.

Bacterial infection is accompanied by the formation of struvite, consisting of ammonium phosphate, calcium carbonate and magnesium.

• Rarely walk your pet.

Short and infrequent walks outside lead to the dog emptying its bladder less often. Low physical activity of the animal contributes to the development of physical inactivity, which causes deterioration of blood circulation in the organs. Stagnant processes provoke the formation of stones in the bladder.

• Violation feeding.

An incorrectly formulated diet with a high percentage of protein and mineral salts contributes to the development of KSD. Bran, soy products and fiber also increase the risk of stone formation in dogs.

Dry food and natural nutrition it is unacceptable to combine. A mixed diet contributes to the appearance of stones. Additionally, we recommend reading about

• Limit water consumption.

Some dog and cat owners do not leave water available to their pets. Animals get used to drinking rarely, but at the same time their urine becomes more concentrated. This is quite dangerous for the dog's health, as stones begin to form in the bladder or ducts.

• Genetic predisposition.

Some dog breeds are much more likely than others to see a veterinarian for difficulty urinating. For example, cystines are diagnosed in bulldogs and dachshunds. It is believed that the disease is inherited among them.

Small breeds of dogs are also more likely to experience urolithiasis. Their small bladder requires frequent emptying, but time-poor owners do not give them proper exercise.

• Features of the structure of the urinary tract.

There are significant differences in the structure of the urethra in females and males. The long urinary canal in males means that stones from the bladder that get into it cannot fall out on their own. Their advancement is accompanied by injury to the mucous membranes and an inflammatory process. Males more often than females suffer from complete blockage of the ureter.

IMPORTANT!The risk of developing urolithiasis in a pet increases if several items from the above list are present at once.

Symptoms

What signs should alert a dog owner? Symptoms of ICD vary and depend on the stage of the process.

ATTENTION! Anuria (lack of discharge) can lead to rupture of the animal’s bladder, which can also be fatal.

The owner, noticing the symptoms , must ensure timely treatment for your dog. To do this, you should contact a veterinarian and undergo the necessary examinations.

Diagnostics

When the first symptoms appear, you should show your pet to a doctor. In addition to visual inspection and palpation, additional procedures will be required.

• X-ray or ultrasound dogs are needed to identify the location of the stone, its shape and dimensions.
• Analysis of urine helps determine the type of stones and the presence of infectious processes in the animal. You should not collect urine for testing in advance. Adequate results are obtained by analyzing fresh urine.
• Blood analysis will show the general condition of the dog’s body.
• Cystoscopy prescribed in emergency cases. The intervention is performed under general anesthesia. First, the bladder is emptied using a catheter, washed, and then a cystoscope is inserted into the urethra. The device transmits an image of the internal surface to the monitor. The operation is more often performed on female dogs. The anatomical features of male dogs make intervention difficult. The cystoscope must be inserted through a puncture in the wall of the bladder.

Treatment

If stones are present, a comprehensive approach to therapy will be required. Only a specialist knows how to treat an animal. He will determine the severity of the pathology and choose the necessary tactics.

Drugs

1. If the dog is in critical condition, means are needed to maintain the functioning of the heart (Cordiamin, Sulphocamphocaine).
2. To relieve spasms, antispasmodics are prescribed (Atropine, No-shpa, Papaverine hydrochloride).
3. Analgesics (Baralgin, Pentalgin, Analgin) will help reduce pain. In the clinic, for renal colic, a novocaine blockade can be performed.
4. To stop bleeding in animals, Etamzilat is used.
5. The addition of an infection requires the prescription of antibiotics (Furagin, Furadonin). If there is pus - "Neopen".
6. Special drugs for the treatment of inflammation: “Stop-cystitis”, “Urotropin”, “Urodan”, “Kantaren”, “Urolex”.
7. To support the dog's body, infusion therapy (Nelit, Ringer-Lock and glucose) is prescribed.
8. Probiotics (“Vetavit”) will help support the animal’s immunity.

Operation

Complete blockage of the canal requires surgical intervention. There are several types of surgeries performed on dogs:

• Urethrostomy, when stones are removed through an opening in the urethra.
• Cystotomy - removal of stones is performed after opening the bladder.
• Urohydropropulsion is the pushing of stones from the urethra into the bladder.

Nutrition correction

When creating a menu, you should take into account the type of stones identified.

• For struvite stones it is necessary to reduce the amount of magnesium in the diet. Phosphorus content must comply with NRC standard. When acidification of urine occurs, struvite dissolves; the diet should lead to an increase in pH. Meat products and cereals can increase acidity, which will help eliminate stones. You cannot overfeed so as not to increase the phosphorus content.

The use of an acidifying diet should not be long-term. When the stones are completely dissolved, the diet is adjusted. Excessive acidification is dangerous due to the formation of another type of stones - oxalate. But alkalization is also dangerous: when returning to the original diet, a relapse is possible.

IMPORTANT! Prolonged acidification is dangerous due to demineralization of the dog’s bones.

• For urate stones it is necessary to reduce the amount of purines and protein in the diet. You can include dairy products, eggs, vegetables and grains in your diet. By-products, lean meats, fish, legumes, and asparagus are excluded from the diet. Be sure to adjust water consumption.
• When identifying cystine stones dairy products are removed from the diet. Eggs should also be excluded from the menu.
• There are cases when a dog is diagnosed mixed stones. In this situation, it is necessary to individually develop a diet by a specialist nutritionist. Medicinal food is produced only to correct the diet for common types of uroliths. With a mixed type of stones, it is difficult to choose ready-made food. Therefore, you cannot do without consulting a nutritionist.

Possible complications

The absence of urination for more than a day in an animal threatens death from a ruptured bladder and peritonitis that develops as a result. If the animal does not defecate, acute renal failure may develop. In this case, the body suffers from poisoning by decay products. Prolonged accumulation of urine leads to irreversible processes in the body and increases the likelihood of death.

Prevention

To prevent the risk of relapse and for prevention in dogs at risk, it is necessary to observe the following recommendations.

1. Give your dog plenty of clean distilled or filtered water.
2. Provide your pet living in an apartment with good physical activity by taking him for walks more often.

What to feed?

Depending on the type of stones identified, the doctor will recommend dietary nutrition for the animal. If store-bought food is prescribed, the dog should not also be fed treats from your table. Do not mix natural food and industrial canned food or dry food.

Some animals are reluctant to change their diet. Perseverance and patience are required. During the first days, you can feed your pet by hand. If the dog does not want canned food, they need to be slightly heated; if he refuses dry food, the balls should be slightly soaked in warm water.

REFERENCE! If the dog does not drink enough, add a few drops of milk, kefir or meat broth to the water.

How to choose medicinal food for prevention

When choosing ready-made food for an animal, you should adhere to the following principles.

1. The feed is of high quality. The animal should eat small portions. Easily digestible, high-calorie premium or super-premium food is suitable for this. If the food is low in calories, the pet will need a large portion to be satisfied, and this threatens an overabundance of minerals and contributes to the development of urolithiasis.
2. When purchasing dog food, you should pay attention to phosphorus content. Its reduced content reduces the risk of stone formation.
3. Calcium is necessary for young puppies, and for adult animals its high content in food is fraught with severe acidification of urine.
4. Protein must be of high quality, but contained in the feed in small quantities. This will reduce the load on the animal's liver.

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