{"id":4415,"date":"2024-04-18T09:06:37","date_gmt":"2024-04-18T13:06:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ovrs.com\/blog\/?p=4415"},"modified":"2024-04-18T09:06:38","modified_gmt":"2024-04-18T13:06:38","slug":"bladder-stones-in-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ovrs.com\/blog\/bladder-stones-in-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"Bladder Stones in Dogs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Bladder stones in dogs<\/em><\/strong> are fairly common and can make urination difficult or painful<\/a>. Don\u2019t take bladder stones lightly, though. If left untreated, they can create significant discomfort and lead to serious complications. Keep reading to learn more about how to spot this condition and what you can do to lower your dog\u2019s risk of developing bladder stones.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Are Bladder Stones?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes excess minerals in the body crystallize and clump together, creating solid masses. These masses can occur in various body areas, but bladder stones only develop in and affect the bladder. There are different types of bladder stones. Struvite stones tend to form when a urinary tract infection (UTI) is present or when bacteria produce urease in the bladder. Either of these can change the pH of the urine to become alkaline, which creates the ideal environment for the mineral structures to grow and clump together. Once the stones grow larger, they might trap bacteria in between, which can lead to further infection.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs of Bladder Stones in Dogs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although struvite stones<\/a> tend to be more common in young female dogs of the smaller breeds, any dog could develop them. Symptoms vary depending on the size, number, and location of the stones. In milder cases, dogs might not display any symptoms. Common signs of bladder stones in dogs<\/em><\/strong> include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n