By Tess
Thompson
Bladder
stones are mineral deposits that form in the urinary bladder of
the animal. Some of these stones initially look like crystals
and over time turn into stone like substances that can
potentially block the urinary passage causing canine or
feline urinary incontinence
http://www.nativeremedies.com/petalive/uti-free-urinary-tract-infection-cats-dogs.html?kbid=5918
or cessation of urine. Instances where there is disturbance in
pH balance by larger absorption of calcium or intake of improper
type of calcium result in minerals forming crystals in the
urine. Stones then start to form around a central point or locus
of an infection, in this case, the urinary tract
infection. In dogs,
http://www.nativeremedies.com/petalive/uti-free-urinary-tract-infection-cats-dogs.html?kbid=5918
calcium oxalate stones are the most common.
Calcium
oxalate stones are one of the two common types of bladder stones
found in the urinary tract: the other being struvite. The other
types, urate, silicate, cystine, and calcium phosphate stones
are relatively rare. Urinalysis can indicate the prevalence of
stones and the pH balance gives a hint of the type of stone that
can be expected. However, unless the stone is extricated by
surgery or forceful expression and examined, there is no surety
of the type of stone.
Calcium
oxalate stones form in acidic to neutral urine. Calcium oxalate
stones are further divided into two types that occur naturally
in dogs -calcium oxalate monohydrate and calcium oxalate
dehydrate. Dogs with a condition called hypercalcemia, the
presence of abnormally high levels of calcium in the blood, are
more likely to develop these types of stones. Hypercalcemia is
usually the result of excessive bone re-absorption in
hyperparathyroidism or excessive bone destruction in older
dogs.
Certain
dog breeds are genetically predisposed to calcium oxalate
stones. These include Miniature Schnauzers, Lhasa Apsos,
Yorkshire Terriers, Miniature Poodles, Shih Tzus, and Bichon
Frises. The condition is more prevalent in male dogs rather than
female dogs.
Prevention of calcium oxalate stones is difficult through
dietary modifications. Usually a diet that is low in proteins
and oxalates and high in magnesium, phosphorous, and calcium is
recommended. This works in two ways:
-
Increased magnesium and phosphorous reduces the amount of
calcium in the urine.
-
Increased calcium in the diet limits the absorption of oxalates
from the intestines.
Ingesting
potassium citrate helps in preventing calcium oxalate stones
since calcium bonds citrate creating calcium citrate, a compound
that is soluble. This prevents calcium from binding with oxalate
to create calcium oxalate, a compound that forms deposits in
urine and ultimately results in bladder stones. Potassium
citrate also forms a soluble compound with oxalates reducing
acidity in the urine and is recommended as a preventive measure
and a treatment.
Diuretics, especially of the thiazide class can help in two ways
- by increasing the amount of urine and reducing the calcium
content
No matter
what you do recurrence of bladder stones is difficult to
prevent. Till the time some thing concrete road map is presented
by research, the best you can do is to try to prevent canine and
feline urinary infection
http://www.nativeremedies.com/petalive/uti-free-urinary-tract-infection-cats-dogs.html?kbid=5918
in your pet to ensure good bladder health. Monitor their
recurrence through radiography and try and flush out calcium
oxalate crystals before they become large.
References:
http://www.executec.com/urolith.htm
http://petcaretips.net/why_bladder_stones_form.html
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_canine_oxalate_bladder_stones.html
http://www.tetonnm.com/pics/MESSamplePages/1-893441-10-5.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bladder_stone_%28animal%29#Symptoms
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