Symptoms & Treatment of Dog Urinary Stones: Essential G

Clinical Symptoms:

When urinary stones do not obstruct the urethra or cause damage to the urinary tract, there are typically no noticeable clinical symptoms.

In cases where the urethra is only partially blocked, dogs may experience difficulty urinating, with urine flowing in drops or a thin stream. Sometimes, hematuria (blood in urine) may also be observed.

When the urethra is completely blocked, dogs will exhibit symptoms of urinary retention. This includes whining or painful cries during urination, with no urine being expelled. The bladder becomes distended, leading to an increase in abdominal circumference.

While standing, the dog may arch its back, contract its abdominal wall, and gather its limbs beneath its belly. The urine appears yellowish and cloudy. Urinalysis may reveal a pH range of 5.0 to 6.5 and positive for urinary occult blood.

In Western veterinary medicine, the treatment involves administering large volumes of intravenous fluids to facilitate urine excretion. During the infusion, antibiotics like ampicillin and corticosteroids such as dexamethasone are added to control infection, alleviate pain, and prevent shock.

In Traditional Chinese veterinary medicine, the treatment principle focuses on clearing heat, promoting diuresis, and facilitating the passage of stones.

Surgical Treatment:

The retrograde urethral irrigation method is used. First, the affected dog is anesthetized. A probe modified from a needle is inserted through the urethral opening.

Upon detecting a stone, the operator secures the probe, and the assistant uses a syringe filled with saline to flush the stone. Once the stone enters the bladder, the urethra is flushed, and the bladder is then compressed to expel the stone with the fluid. After the stone is removed, the area is flushed an additional 2 to 3 times.