Dog Bladder Crystals – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
What are dog bladder crystals?
At the risk of stating the obvious, I must say that they are nothing more than stones in your dog’s bladder. They are also known as uroliths.
What causes a crystal to form in a dog’s bladder?
There are a number of causes. The presence of a urinary bladder infection could significantly increase the risk of bladder stones, as the infection makes it difficult for crystals, the building blocks of stones, to pass out of the body. If your dog eats a diet rich in minerals and drinks too little water, he could develop bladder stones. Genetic predisposition is also one of the common causes. Certain breeds such as Bulldogs, Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, Irish Terriers, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Cocker Spaniels are genetically predisposed to bladder crystals.
Is it a serious problem?
If caught early, it can be easily treated. Therefore, it is not a serious problem. However, if left untreated for a long time, a crystal in a dog’s bladder could lead to serious problems, including urinary tract obstruction and kidney failure, and could be fatal. Therefore, it is very important to diagnose and treat this problem at the right time.
What are the symptoms of crystals in the dog’s bladder?
If your dog finds it difficult to urinate or if he feels pain when urinating, it could be a sign of bladder stones. The presence of blood in the urine and stool is also a sign of a urinary problem. Apart from this, there are other symptoms like loss of appetite, vomiting and physical exhaustion.
I read somewhere that a dog bladder crystal needs to be surgically removed. My dog is so small and cute. How can you cope with surgery?
Your veterinarian will be the best judge of how well a dog can tolerate stone removal surgery. It is a fairly common procedure. Depending on the type of stone, there may be other options, such as diet modification and urohydropropulsion, which is a procedure that removes stones from the body.
Can crystals in the dog’s bladder be prevented?
Yes. Pet health experts say that a combination of a good diet, exercise and natural remedies can significantly reduce the risk of bladder stones in dogs.
What type of food is best for my dog?
The key to the diet is to provide the correct balance of more than 40 nutrients or food components while maintaining a normal urinary PH. Your veterinarian may recommend a prescription diet that is specifically formulated to prevent the formation of the two most common types of stones, oxalate and struvite.
My dog does not drink enough water. What I can do?
Your dog may not like the smell and taste of chlorinated tap water. Therefore, the first thing you should do is avoid tap water and give your dog filtered water to drink. You can also add a few drops of cranberry juice or lemon juice to the water. This helps your dog in two ways. One: improves the smell and taste of the water. So, your dog will drink a lot of water. Two: Blueberries and lemons are rich in vitamin C, which prevents bacteria from multiplying in your dog’s bladder. Therefore, this significantly reduces the risk of crystals in the dog’s bladder.
What are the best natural remedies for my dog?
Look for homeopathic remedies that contain substances like cantharis, staphysagris, and berberis vulg. These remedies can treat and prevent bacterial infections, soothe your dog’s urinary bladder, strengthen your dog’s urogenital system, relieve symptoms of urinary problems, and control urinary incontinence. They also strengthen your dog’s immune system and reduce the risk of various urinary problems, including dog bladder crystal.
Is there anything else I can do to keep my dog healthy?
As I already mentioned, a combination of a healthy diet, clean water, regular physical exercise, and a regular dose of natural remedies is what your dog needs to prevent urinary problems like crystals in the dog’s bladder. Above all, your love and care is what your dog needs to stay healthy and happy for a long time.