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Bladder Stones and Urinary Crystals Kit

Tripsy & Milk Thistle

USD $85.90
Bladder Stones and Urinary Crystals Kit USD $85.90 Add to Cart

Vet Talks: Bladder Stones In Pets

Vet Talks 3 min read
X-ray of a dog with bladder stones and a photo of a white pit bull with a bottle of NHV Tripsy

As a veterinarian and pet owner, I had many of my patients and my pets with bladder stones. Billy, my 12-years-old dog recently had bladder stones. It was an emergency because it was lodged in his urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body). After unblocking Billy’s urethra and having all lab work done, I had to change his diet. Now, Billy is totally okay and enjoying his life with his other furry friends in Brazil. In this blog, I will share a little bit about bladder stones in dogs and cats to help pet parents going through this difficult moment.

Bladder stones are aggregations of minerals and other substances in the bladder. This is a quite common problem in dogs and cats, and unfortunately, it can in some cases lead to obstruction of the urethra and death.

Causes

Female dogs are predisposed to struvite stones.

The two most common types of bladder stones in dogs and cats are calcium oxalate stones and struvite stones (triple magnesium phosphate). Female dogs are predisposed to struvite stones. Calcium oxalate stones are more likely to develop in acid urine, whereas struvite stones are more likely to develop in alkaline urine. The complex interaction between the animal’s diet and stone formation affects the development of both types of stone. Urate stones are uncommonly encountered in cats and are usually associated with liver or vascular shunts. Other types of stone are rare in cats.

They may also develop secondary to other diseases, such as hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s disease) or hypercalcemia (high blood calcium). Urate stones occur with liver problems, such as portosystemic vascular shunts and other inherited defects of the liver.

Oxalate and Struvite stones

Clinical Signs

For cats, frequent urination or frequent trips to the litter box, voiding of small volumes of urine, blood in the urine, discomfort on the urination, and urinating outside the litter box. Bladder stones may lodge in the urethra, causing a complete urinary obstruction.

Urinary obstruction is more common in male dogs and cats. Signs of obstruction include straining to urinate without producing any urine and abdominal discomfort. Urinary obstruction is an emergency.

graphic with a blue cat

Diagnostic Tests

Routine blood and urine tests and abdominal ultrasound and x-rays.

bladder stones in dogs x-ray

Treatment and Natural Support

Urinary obstruction is an emergency clinic. If your pet is not peeing, or if you see any blood in the urine, visit the vet as soon as possible. Struvite stones can often be dissolved by feeding a special diet. For example, a homemade diet formulated by a veterinarian or a prescription commercial diet. The pet must eat this diet exclusively while going through the treatment. Calcium oxalate stones cannot be dissolved with dietary changes or medication. The only effective therapy is the physical removal of the stones. With other types of stones, medications may be useful for dissolving them.

NHV Tripsy is a veterinarian-formulated supplement that is beneficial in lowering the risk of struvite crystals, a phosphate mineral found in urinary stones in cats and dogs as well as in reducing the risk of calcium oxalate crystals.

If you have any questions about bladder stones in your pet and how you can support them, we are here to help. Click the ‘chat with us’ button below to talk to a pet expert.

Dr. Amanda Nascimento DVM, MVSc, PhD

Dr. Amanda Nascimento DVM, MVSc, PhD

Dr. Amanda completed her undergraduate degree in veterinary medicine in 2010 and graduate studies in veterinary pathology (MVSc. 2012 and PhD 2016) at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo. She completed her post-doctoral training at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine – University of Saskatchewan in 2018. Dr. Nascimento will be hosting her own blog series and sharing her knowledge with our extended NHV family.

Published: June 26, 2020

2 replies

  1. Tena Tayler says:

    I have two pugs Baylee & Bentlee.
    Baylee had an issue with being allergic to chicken it was so bad we almost lost her due to unable to breath. I started making their food (Beef,rice, veggies) now for 3 months she had been fine when all of a sudden the vet put them onto Royal Caine SO with PH. Because they have urinary crystals. Baylee had a few kibbles for two days and sure enough she is reacting to the food again. I have discontinued this food for Baylee.
    I just purchase the Milk thistle and tripsy
    I sure hope this is the answer as they is nothing worse then seeing my pug sick

    1. Team NHV says:

      Hi Tena,

      Thank you so much for reaching out to us!

      We’re so thankful that you’ve been there to support your sweethearts, Baylee and Bentlee. They’re so lucky to have you to look after them.

      We can only imagine how stressful this must have been for you and your little ones so we want you to know that we’re here for you every step of the way, you can always count on us for support!

      We think that Milk Thistle and Tripsy are great choices for your furkiddos as they can help to support healthy liver and kidney function. They can also help to reduce inflammation and can ease uncomfortable symptoms that can come from urinary crystals.

      In addition to Milk Thistle and Tripsy, we think you could also add Stimmune to Baylee’s regimen as it’s our main support for food allergies. The herbs in this blend can help to ease symptoms and promote healthy immune activity.

      Please let us know how Baylee and Bentlee do on their new regimens and don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or need any support. Our team is always here for you!

      Wishing you love and pawsitive vibes!

      Yours in wellness,
      Team NHV

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