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Science Diet's breakthrough nutrition supports ultimate digestive well-being & healthy microbiome
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Urolithiasis is a urinary tract disease in which crystals or stones form within the urinary tract and cause irritation, pain and possibly blockage.
Urinary bladder stones (also known as uroliths) are collections of mineral crystals that combine together to form a stone in the urinary bladder. Less often, stones may form in the kidneys. The pH of your dog’s urine affects the development of the crystals that lead to urinary bladder stones. The most common type of stone/crystal is struvite, and these tend to form in alkaline urine. Other types develop in more acidic urine.
Though there is no single cause of urolithiasis, or urinary tract disease, veterinarians recognize there are components that may contribute to the prevalence of the disease. Factors, that increase your dog’s likelihood of developing a problem include:
Age: Dogs between the ages of 2 and 10 are most susceptible.
Gender: Both males and females get the disease with equal frequency, but males have a greater risk of life-threatening urethral obstruction from the crystals or stones
Infection: Bacterial infection of the bladder, causing alkaline urine, is the main cause of struvite crystal formation.
Food: You already know the food you feed your dog is extremely important in keeping him healthy. But feeding him the wrong kind of food can cause urolithiasis. High levels of certain minerals in dog food can increase the chance of crystal formation in urine. Magnesium and phosphate are mineral components of the most common crystal type struvite. Don’t feed a dog food with excessive amounts of these minerals. The dog food your dog eats also influences urine acidity (pH). This may encourage certain stones to form, so it’s important to feed a dog food that supports bladder health.
Low water intake: Not taking in enough water leads to more concentrated urine, which may increase the likelihood of stones forming.
Breed Predisposition: Small breed dogs are more susceptible than large breed dogs. Also, certain dog breeds, such as miniature schnauzers, Dalmatians, Yorkshire terriers and bulldogs, are more prone to develop urinary bladder stones.
Other contributing factors can be lack of exercise, inability to urinate frequently (typical in a confined indoor dog), or reduced water intake.
If your dog has urinary problems, he may be very uncomfortable. It’s important to contact your veterinarian immediately for a complete examination if you notice any of the following common signs below.
IMPORTANT: If your dog is not urinating freely, a urinary blockage may be the cause. Consult your veterinarian immediately as this condition could be life threatening.
The dog food your dog eats plays an, important role in his overall health and well-being. Balanced nutrition is an essential part of an active, healthy lifestyle. When your dog has urinary bladder stones, it is even more important to feed the right dog food. Foods high in magnesium, phosphorus, protein and calcium have been linked to stone formation. Veterinarians believe feeding your dog a food with restricted amounts of these minerals can assist in the dissolution of some types of stones that have formed in his urinary tract. For accurate diagnosis and treatment options, always consult your veterinarian and ask them to recommend the best food for your dog’s urinary tract health.
And remember, any dog that has been treated for urinary tract disease runs the risk of contracting it again. Therefore, it's important to continue with the nutritional management of the disease and watch closely for the recurring symptoms.
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