Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How well does medicine dissolve bladder stones in dogs
By Wingert, Allie M et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2021·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Efficacy of medical dissolution for suspected struvite cystoliths in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 50 dogs with suspected struvite bladder stones were treated with a special diet and some received antibiotics to help dissolve the stones. About 58% of the dogs had their stones completely dissolve within an average of 35 days. The dogs that received antibiotics were more likely to see success in dissolving their stones. However, some dogs experienced complications, including urethral obstructions, which were often present before treatment began. If a dog doesn't show improvement in stone size after a month, it may need a different treatment approach.
People also search for: dog struvite bladder stones treatment · dog urinary obstruction symptoms · dog diet for bladder stones
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Medical dissolution of struvite uroliths in dogs is commonly recommended, but data on success rates and complications are limited. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of medical dissolution for suspected struvite cystoliths in dogs. ANIMALS: Fifty client-owned dogs fed a therapeutic dissolution diet, with or without administration of antimicrobials, for treatment of suspected struvite cystoliths. METHODS: Single institution, retrospective case series. Medical records were reviewed for dogs with at least 1 follow-up visit. Dissolution success, complications, and possible predictors of success were evaluated. RESULTS: Full dissolution of cystoliths was achieved in 58% (29/50) of dogs within a median of 35 days (range, 13-167). Of 21 dogs without success, 7 each had partial dissolution, no dissolution, or undetermined outcome. Uroliths containing >10% nonstruvite mineral were common in the nonsuccess group (11/16 analyzed). Maximum urolith diameter, number of uroliths, and baseline urine pH did not differ significantly between dogs with and without success. Dissolution was more likely in dogs receiving antimicrobial therapy (OR = 16.3, 95% confidence interval 1.9-787.4, P = .002). Adverse events occurred in 9 dogs (18%); urethral obstructions were the most common, but 3 of 4 dogs with this complication were obstructed on presentation, before trial initiation. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Results support a medical dissolution trial for dogs with suspected struvite cystoliths. If no reduction in urolith size or number occurs by 1 month, a nonstruvite composition is likely, and alternative interventions should be considered. Dogs presenting with urethral obstructions should not be considered candidates for medical dissolution.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34469023/