How to Prevent Bladder Stones in Dogs

By Deborah Cummings

Instructions

Step 1:
Take your dog to the veterinarian even if he does not appear sick. Make an appointment for a regular check-up every three or four months especially if your dog has had bladder stones in the past. Ask your veterinarian how often he should be checked for the presence of bladder stones.
Step 2:
Alter the diet you feed your dog. Feed your dog a diet that is known to dissolve stones available through your vet. Feeding him a food that is lower in struvite is also helpful. Choose a dog food with lower proteins and higher levels of sodium chloride (table salt) to encourage water intake.
Step 3:
Ask your vet to test the pH balance of your dog's urine to determine the amount of acid present. Ask for the vet's recommendations regarding adding or subtracting acid from your dog's diet.
Step 4:
Treat urinary infections immediately if you suspect your dog has one. Have a culture and sensitivity test done to determine which type of medication is needed. Take the dog to be treated for the urinary infection before it escalates into bladder stones.
Step 5:
Counter the unease, an enzyme produced by bacteria. Your vet can determine if the use of acetohydroxamic acid is necessary to stop urease from changing the urea into molecules of carbon dioxide and ammonium.

Tips & Warnings

Struvite is a phosphate mineral that is present in high protein dog food. Lowering your dog's intake of this mineral decreases the risks of formation of crystals, which form into bladder stones.
Do not give your dog a urinary acidifier while feeding dog food that is designed to acidify urine. Once a dog has bladder stones, he is more apt to get them again, therefore treating problems such as urinary infections is paramount.

Resources

Symptoms of Bladder Stones

Photo/Video Credit

www.petherbs.co.uk/ bladderstones.html, bladderstonesindogs.com, whimsies-online.com

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