Oxalate bladder stones are common pet health concerns that can develop in both dogs and cats. In the majority of cases, treatment for this condition is very simple and extremely effective. In fact, when treatment is sought promptly, your pet can recover in a matter of weeks.
How Oxalate Bladder Stones Affects Your Pet
Bladder stones develop when crystals in urine become trapped due to a blockage or inflammation caused by urinary tract infections. There are two types of stones, and they are struvite and oxalate. While struvite stones can dissolve when your pet is fed a special diet, oxalate stones will not. Since oxalate stones cannot dissolve on their own, they will continue to grow and can create some very serious pet health problems. In fact, when not treated promptly, some of them can even be life-threatening. Oxalate stones can cause blockages of the urinary tract, which can result in severe pain, infections, renal failure, septicemia or hyperkalemia.
Common Symptoms of Oxalate Bladder Stones
It is essential to note that while some animals may display several symptoms of bladder stones, others may not exhibit any at all. In this case, you may not even know your pet has a problem until it causes a secondary condition such as an infection. However, some common signs of oxalate bladder stones are as follows. Common Symptoms of Oxalate Bladder Stones in Pets: Bloody or Dark-Colored Urine, Strong-Smelling Urine, Pain While Urinating, Straining While Urinating, Frequent Need to Urinate, Urinary Tract Infections, Inability to Urinate, Accidents and Excessive Genital Licking.
Treatments for Oxalate Bladder Stones
Since oxalate stones cannot be dissolved with a special diet, your veterinarian will need to remove them surgically. However, without the proper treatments following surgery, the stones can return in just a few years. With that said, you will need to learn how to prevent this from happening. Your pet will need to be fed a special diet, which encourages a urine pH that will not allow the development of new stones. Your veterinarian can recommend a good therapeutic diet for your dog or cat. Thiazide diuretics and potassium citrate supplements can help as well. Finally, pets need to have access to plenty of water and receive regular urinalysis tests.
Breeds Affected
Most any dogs or cats can develop oxalate bladder stones under the right circumstances. However, the condition seems to occur more often in males than in females and in animals that are between five and fourteen years old. There are some breeds that are more prone to the condition as well. Animals most vulnerable to oxalate bladder stones: Bichon Frise, Shih Tzus, Miniature Schnauzers, Miniature Poodles, Yorkshire Terriers, Lhasa Apsos, Burmese and Himalayans.
Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
