Proven Strategies for Dissolving Urate Bladder Stones in Dogs

Ammonium urate stones are the most common type of urolith/bladder stone in dogs. Risk factors for their formation include internal and external factors.

Foods-those high in purines contribute to the formation of these stones because purines are a precursor to uric acid. Any type of meat is higher in purines than vegetarian sources, with organ meats and yeast having the highest amount of purines. Dry kibble is more likely to contribute to stone formation than canned food. Higher amount of protein also increase the formation of stones. Puppy foods are higher in protein than adult foods, and the incidence of urate bladder stones in dogs with liver shunts is common in dogs less than one year of age.

Risk factors increase in male dogs of certain breeds, eg. dalmatians, English bulldogs, miniature schnauzers, yorkshire terriers and shih tzus. Liver disease, especially when bile acid results are elevated, increases the likelihood that a dog will form urate stones. For example, dogs with portosystemic shunts or hepatic microvascular dysplasia are at increased risk for forming urate bladder stones. When fed a meat-based protein, levels of uric acid increase and subsequently ammonia also increases and urinary pH becomes more acidic.

I've had many dogs with severe liver problems whose bladder stones have been dissolved. Augie is an 18 month old, four pound yorkie with a presumed liver shunt that was surrendered to our rescue. Previously, he had multiple seizures and bladder stone surgery when he was 13 months old. His owners did not provide any type of prescription food or liver support supplements, and at the time of his surrender, he already had a conglomeration of bladder stones that measured about 2.5 mm to 5 mm.

His post bile acids were around 250 and he was placed on prescription food, (low protein/vegetarian) with water added, multiple small meals and given PediaSure Vanille with fiber mixed with water to increase hydration. Within about 6 weeks, his bladder stone had dissolved completely. Liver support supplements and probiotics were an important component to his bladder stone dissolution. Azodyl, a probiotic for kidney failure, also decreases ammonia and normalizes the urea cycle. Another probiotic that decreases ammonia is VSL3. Zinc is also important in stone dissolution. One vet had also recommended the use of Actigall, a prescription liver antioxidant usually used in dogs with gall bladder problems. The low purine food that he is on, combined with supplements, should prevent the formation of further urate stones by controlling the amount of urice acid in his system.

Another foster dog, a 5 month old maltese puppy, already had a 3mm bladder stone. Within 3 weeks, when he had his liver shunt surgery, this stone had dissolved (verified with ultrasound). He had been on similar prescription food and supplements.

I've been taking care of dogs with liver disease for about 5 years and had success managing symptoms of liver disease and dissolving bladder stones. I'm not a veterinarian or nutritionist but have lots of hands-on experience and have researched liver disease. The prescription food and medications have to be obtained from your veterinarian, and any suggestions checked with them.

Choosing the Right Diet For Dogs With Bladder Stones - Some Helpful Tips

If your dog has bladder-stones, if it is recovering from bladder-stones, or if it is genetically predisposed to bladder stones, you should be very careful about its diet. Eating certain types of food can increase the risk of canine bladderstones considerably. So, in this article, we are going to take a look at the right diet for dogs with bladder -stones.

First of all, you need to know if your dog has a genetic predisposition to bladder stones or not. Certain breeds like Cocker Spaniels, Dalmatians, English Bulldogs, Miniature Poodles, Yorkshire Terriers, Dachshunds, Irish and Scottish Terriers, and Miniature Schnauzers are genetically predisposed to bladder stones. So, knowing the right diet for dogs with bladder-stones becomes even more important if you happen to own any of the breeds mentioned above.

One thing that a lot of pet care experts say about canine bladder-stones is that a mineral rich diet usually increases the risk of bladder-stones in dogs to a great extent. It is a good idea to avoid a diet that is rich in calcium, magnesium, and other minerals. A low mineral, high fiber diet is usually considered the right diet after bladder-stones in dogs have been removed. Water plays an important role in avoiding your dog's urine from becoming too concentrated. So, you should make sure your dog drinks plenty of water.

Whether or not your dog has bladder-stones, it is not a good idea to give processed pet food. Commercial dog food contains a number of chemicals and other substances which can affect your dog's health adversely. It also alters your dog's urine pH and makes it alkaline. This significantly increases the risk of bacterial infections, bladder-stones, and other such urinary problems. So, if you are looking to formulate the right diet after bladder-stones in dogs, avoid kibble and go for organic kibble and raw, unprocessed meat and vegetables.

A lot of people these days have started giving natural homeopathic remedies to their dogs as a health supplement. These remedies strengthen the urogenital system of dogs and lower the risks of bladder stones and urinary infections. So, you can make these supplements a part of the diet for dogs with bladder stones to get better results. A combination of healthy food, clean water, natural health supplements, and lots of love and care is what your dog needs to stay healthy and happy for a long time.