Bladder stone (animal)

Reasons for treatment of bladder stones include recurring symptoms and risk of urinary tract obstruction. Some stones, including struvite and urate stones, can be dissolved using dietary modifications and/or medications. Calcium oxalate stones are insoluble and must be surgically removed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2017/07/dietary-treatment-of-bladder-stones/|title=Dietary treatment of bladder stones|last=Team|first=Clinical Nutrition|date=2017-07-26|website=Clinical Nutrition Service at Cummings School|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-20}}</ref> Small stones in female dogs may possibly be removed by [[urohydropropulsion]], a nonsurgical procedure. Urohydropropulsion is performed under sedation by filling the bladder with saline through a catheter, holding the dog vertically, and squeezing the bladder to expel the stones through the urethra. Bladder stones can be removed surgically by a [[cystotomy]], which is a small incision into the bladder to scoop out the stones. Stones lodged in the urethra can often be flushed into the bladder and removed, but sometimes a [[urethrotomy]] is necessary. In male dogs with recurrent urinary tract obstruction a [[scrotal urethrostomy]] creates a permanent opening in the urethra proximal to the area where most stones lodge, behind the [[os penis]]. In male cats, stones lodge where the urethra narrows in the penis. Recurrent cases can be treated surgically with a [[perineal urethrostomy]], which removes the penis and creates a new opening for the urethra.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/struvite-bladder-stones-in-dogs|title=Struvite Bladder Stones in Dogs|website=vca_corporate|language=en|access-date=2019-12-20}}</ref>

Reasons for treatment of bladder stones include recurring symptoms and risk of urinary tract obstruction. Some stones, including struvite and urate stones, can be dissolved using dietary modifications and/or medications. Calcium oxalate stones are insoluble and must be surgically removed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2017/07/dietary-treatment-of-bladder-stones/|title=Dietary treatment of bladder stones|last=Team|first=Clinical Nutrition|date=2017-07-26|website=Clinical Nutrition Service at Cummings School|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-20}}</ref> Small stones in female dogs may possibly be removed by [[urohydropropulsion]], a nonsurgical procedure. Urohydropropulsion is performed under sedation by filling the bladder with saline through a catheter, holding the dog vertically, and squeezing the bladder to expel the stones through the urethra. Bladder stones can be removed surgically by a [[cystotomy]], which is a small incision into the bladder to scoop out the stones. Stones lodged in the urethra can often be flushed into the bladder and removed, but sometimes a [[urethrotomy]] is necessary. In male dogs with recurrent urinary tract obstruction a [[scrotal urethrostomy]] creates a permanent opening in the urethra proximal to the area where most stones lodge, behind the [[os penis]]. In male cats, stones lodge where the urethra narrows in the penis. Recurrent cases can be treated surgically with a [[perineal urethrostomy]], which removes the penis and creates a new opening for the urethra.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/struvite-bladder-stones-in-dogs|title=Struvite Bladder Stones in Dogs|website=vca_corporate|language=en|access-date=2019-12-20}}</ref>

To prevent recurrence of stones, special diets can be used for each type of stone. Increasing water consumption by the animal dilutes the urine, which prevents oversaturation of the urine with crystals.{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}

To prevent recurrence of stones, special diets can be used for each type of stone. Increasing water consumption by the animal dilutes the urine, which prevents oversaturation of the urine with crystals.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Smith |first=Brigitte H. E. |last2=Stevenson |first2=Abigail E. |last3=Markwell |first3=Peter J. |date=1998-12-01 |title=Urinary Relative Supersaturations of Calcium Oxalate and Struvite in Cats Are Influenced by Diet1 |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022316623023106 |journal=The Journal of Nutrition |volume=128 |issue=12 |pages=S2763–S2764 |doi=10.1093/jn/128.12.2763S |issn=0022-3166}}</ref>

==References==

==References==