What problems do dog bladder stones cause?
The two most common signs of bladder stones are hematuria (blood in the urine) and dysuria (straining to urinate). Hematuria occurs because the stones irritate the bladder wall causing bleeding. Dysuria occurs when stones obstruct the flow of urine out of the bladder. Large stones may cause a partial obstruction at the point where the urine leaves the bladder and enters the urethra; small stones may flow with the urine into the urethra and cause an obstruction there. When an obstruction occurs, the bladder cannot be emptied and this is very painful. Your dog may cry in pain, especially if pressure is applied to the abdominal wall. Hematuria and dysuria are the most common signs seen in dogs with bladder stones but with obstruction there is also pain. We know this because when bladder stones are removed surgically, many owners tell us how much better and more active their dog feels. Why do dog bladder stones form? There are several theories of dog bladder stone formation. The most commo
