Non-Surgical Treatment for Dog Urinary Stones: Can They

Section 1: Is Surgery Necessary for Dog Urinary Stones?

It's not always a necessity to undergo surgery for a dog's urinary stones. The best course of action is to consult with a veterinarian at a pet hospital, as they can provide professional advice tailored to your pet's specific situation.

The treatment for canine urinary stones typically includes the following methods:

1. Dietary Therapy: If the dog's urethra is not blocked, it's recommended to increase their water intake to encourage urination. Additionally, supplementing with vitamin A and highprotein foods, while avoiding sugar, reducing oil, and salt, can be beneficial. Regular exercise, such as walks and jumps, is also encouraged, especially for larger breeds.

2. Medication: Depending on the veterinarian's recommendation, medications like litholytic drugs and diuretics can help expel crystals and prevent stone formation. Commonly used medications include urinary stonerelieving Chinese medicine, diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide tablets, and antiinflammatory drugs like amoxicillin.

3. Surgery: This is primarily for large urinary stones with a risk of urethral obstruction, especially those located in the narrowed area of the penis. These stones need to be surgically removed. However, surgery does not guarantee a permanent cure for urinary or bladder stones in dogs. Without continued medication and dietary adjustments postsurgery, there's a high chance of recurrence. Therefore, pet owners must adhere to the veterinarian's instructions and continue treating their pets with medication to eliminate any small stone fragments or crystals that may not have been completely removed during surgery.

Section 2: When Can Surgery Be Avoided?

Canine urinary stones often do not require surgery if detected early and the crystals are small and few in number. In such cases, medication combined with dietary adjustments can be sufficient.

At this stage, the dog's primary symptoms might include frequent urination, prolonged urination time, incomplete voiding, and pain during urination.

When a dog shows symptoms like reduced urine volume, frequent blood in urine, dribbling, and a full bladder, it indicates a more advanced stage of urethral obstruction, which may necessitate surgical intervention.

For more information on surgical options and other treatments for canine urinary stones, you can learn more through "Pet Urinary System Diseases" or directly consult with an online veterinary doctor.