Stones in my pet’s belly?

Terminology… Urolithiasis is the condition where urinary stones are formed or located anywhere in the urinary system. The term ‘nephrolithiasis’ refers to stones that are in the kidney. And ‘cystolithiasis’ refers to stones which form or have passed into the urinary bladder. ‘Ureterolithiasis’ refers to stones that are in the ureter. Urolithiasis is the main cause of obstruction in the lower urinary tract.

Symptoms
l Some pets may show initial signs of haematuria and urinate frequently, but pass urine only drop by drop at times.
l Pyuria is also one of the symptoms. Pyelitic urine is always alkaline and contains albumin, pus cells, blood cells renal casts, etc. l Many pets try to urinate but fail to pass urine after they take the posture or lift their legs. l At home, pet parents will witness their pets licking their genital area more than normal. l Some dogs with bladder or renal stones may show no signs at all.
Diagnosis…
l Diagnosis is made out of symptoms which are not always characterised. l The initial step would be to send your pet’s urine for a routine urinalysis and urine culture l In today’s practice an ultrasonography of the lower abdomen is of much help in the evaluation of the urinary tract calculi with images of kidney, urinary bladder, uretovesicular junctions, etc. Ultrasound provides the tremendous value of imaging follow-up as well. l The diagnosis of bladder stones in pets is also confirmed with abdominal X-rays. Most stones are radiopaque, meaning they show up on the radiographic film as obvious white circles or shapes. A few are radiolucent, where the X-ray beams pass right through and therefore, they do not show up on the finished film.

Treatment
Your vet will take the call, whether to treat the issue medically or surgically. Options vary according to the size, type and location of the stone.

— By Dr Munmun De, veterinary surgeon