🧪 Vet Guide 2025: Bladder Stones in Dogs and Cats – Types, Signs, Treatments & Prevention 🐾💧

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

💡 What Are Bladder Stones?

Bladder stones, or uroliths, are solid mineral deposits that form in the urinary bladder. They begin as crystals in the urine and gradually grow in size due to factors like:

• 🔁 Abnormal urine pH
• 💧 Low water intake (concentrated urine)
• 🧪 Mineral imbalances

Stones can range from small, sand-like grains to large stones over two inches in diameter. Dogs and cats can form just a few or hundreds of stones. Though often confused with kidney stones (which are rare in pets), bladder stones are much more common. 🐶🐱

🔬 Types of Bladder Stones

The two most common types are:

1. Struvite Stones

• 🧫 Often caused by bacterial bladder infections (especially Staph and Proteus)
• 💥 Form in alkaline urine
• 🍽️ Can be dissolved by special diets and antibiotics

In cats, struvite stones may form without infection and are often tied to stress or idiopathic cystitis.

2. Calcium Oxalate Stones

• 🧬 Typically not caused by infection
• 🍋 Form in acidic urine
• 🔩 Cannot be dissolved—require removal

Other rare types include urate, cystine, xanthine, silica, and calcium phosphate stones.

🔍 Signs of Bladder Stones

Common clinical signs include:

• 🚽 Straining to urinate
• 💦 Frequent urination in small amounts
• 🩸 Blood in the urine
• 🗣️ Vocalizing or pain during urination
• 🧼 Licking the vulva or penis frequently
• 💧 Urinary accidents or unusual places

📸 Diagnosis

Diagnosis involves:

• 🩺 Physical examination (large stones may be palpable)
• 🔬 Urinalysis (pH, crystals, bacteria)
• 🩻 Radiographs (X-rays)
• 🧪 Ultrasound (for radiolucent stones)

Stone analysis in a laboratory is the gold standard for identifying the exact type. This determines the appropriate treatment and prevention plan.

🛠️ Treatment Options

1. Antibiotics (if infection is present)

Infection must be addressed early, especially with struvite stones. If infection persists, recurrence is likely.

2. Dietary Dissolution (for struvite stones)

• 🍽️ Prescription diets dissolve stones by acidifying urine and reducing minerals
• 💊 Antibiotics are continued during dissolution
• 📸 Radiographs taken every 4–6 weeks

Dissolution is safe and effective, though male dogs risk urethral obstruction as stones shrink and pass. These cases may require emergency surgery.

3. Cystotomy Surgery

Surgical removal is common for calcium oxalate stones or large/multiple stones. It provides fast resolution and sample recovery for analysis.

4. Voiding Urohydropropulsion

This technique is used for small stones and involves flushing the bladder with sterile saline under anesthesia. It can be repeated and is ideal for sampling stones.

5. Cystoscopy & Laser Lithotripsy

Stones can be fragmented by laser and removed non-surgically with a scope. This advanced procedure is limited to specialty centers.

🚨 When Stones Block the Urethra

If a stone gets stuck in the urethra, especially in male dogs, this is a life-threatening emergency. Retropulsion is attempted to push the stone back into the bladder, where it can be removed surgically. If left untreated, complete urinary blockage leads to uremic poisoning and death.

🧪 Post-Treatment Monitoring

• 🔄 Follow-up urinalysis and urine cultures
• 🩻 Radiographs every 6–12 months
• 📋 Long-term dietary changes (for certain stone types)

🥣 Prevention

Once a pet has had bladder stones, therapeutic diets are often required to prevent recurrence. Tips include:

• 🚫 Avoid treats, flavored chews, bones not approved by your vet
• 💧 Increase water intake (add water to food, use canned food)
• 📅 Stick to your vet's monitoring schedule

Even small dietary changes can alter urine chemistry enough to allow crystals—and eventually stones—to return.

🩺 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

Bladder stones are painful, often recurrent, and sometimes life-threatening. Fortunately, with early detection, tailored treatment, and consistent prevention, most pets live happy, stone-free lives.

Stay diligent with monitoring, dietary compliance, and veterinary follow-ups. The better you manage your pet’s urinary health, the less likely you’ll face another emergency. 🐾💧

📲 Concerned About Bladder Stones? Ask A Vet Today

From dietary strategies to symptom checks, get fast expert help from the comfort of your home. Download the Ask A Vet app to chat with Dr Duncan Houston and licensed vets anytime. 🐶🐱💬