Urolithiasis in dogs causes pain, urinary obstruction, and recurrent disease, with stone type determining appropriate dietary and medical management strategies.
Bladder stones cause significant discomfort - ranging from subtle discomfort during urination to severe pain from obstruction. Struvite dissolution diets offer non-surgical treatment that avoids the trauma and recovery of cystotomy, but require commitment to strict diet compliance for months. Surgical removal provides immediate relief but requires appropriate anesthesia and post-operative care. Prevention through appropriate diet and treating recurrent UTIs dramatically reduces recurrence and long-term suffering. Stone type analysis is essential - providing the wrong diet can worsen the condition.