Pet of the week! Chino, Apple and their stones.

By John Morgan | Dated June 20, 2018

It’s been a busy couple of weeks at Gordon Vet with many wonderful animals visiting the hospital, but two patients in particular stood out. Two small dogs, both with bladder stones so large, they needed to be surgically removed.

X Ray of Chino’s bladder stones

Apple, a 5 year old Australian terrier had two stones about 1.5cm in diameter, these were removed surgically by Dr John.

Chino the 9 year old jack Russell on the other hand had two stones that measured almost 5cm at the widest part! The stones that were removed from Chino’s bladder by Dr Imogen are the biggest seen by anyone currently working at Gordon Vet!

Both dogs initially presented with stranguria, a condition where urination is slow and painful. Other signs of bladder stones can include Urinary accidents, frequent attempts to urinate without producing much urine, Straining to urinate, discoloured urine and licking around the urinary opening

The stones are a build-up of a collection of minerals and other materials. Most bladder stones in dogs are made from struvite, calcium oxalate, urate, or cystine crystals. The causes vary from genetics, to diet and even insufficient water intake.

Comparison of Chino’s stones (left) and Apple’s stones (right)

There can be multiple factors involved in the formation of bladed stones in dogs. High levels of minerals in the urine which allow crystals to form and, over time, stick together and slowly increase in size. Bacterial infections in the bladder that increase the pH of the urine and encourage crystal formation. Genetics and diet can even play a large part.