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miabellaamoure · 01-18-2009, 06:18 PM

Canine Oxalate Bladder Stones

OXALATE BLADDER STONES IN THE DOG

* 73% of Calcium Oxalate patients are male. This stone type is unusual in females.

* Breeds at especially high risk include: miniature schnauzers, lhasa apsos, Yorkshire terriers, miniature poodles, shih tzus, and bichon frises.

* Most cases occur in dogs between ages 5 and 12 years of age.

HOW DO WE KNOW THESE ARE CALCIUM OXALATE STONES?

Although a urinalysis can provide a clue, the only way to know for sure that a dog’s bladder stone is an oxalate stone is to retrieve a stone and have a laboratory analyze it. If the stones are very small, flushing the urinary bladder and forcefully expressing it may produce a stone sample for testing. The only other way to obtain a sample is to surgically open the bladder and remove the stones. The surgical method is invasive but provides the most rapid resolution of the bladder stone issue. Calcium oxalate stones cannot be made to dissolve over time by changing to a special diet (as can be done with struvite or uric acid bladder stones).

WHY WOULD MY DOG FORM CALCIUM OXALATE STONES?

It should not be too surprising that there is a strong hereditary component to the formation of oxalate bladder stones. This is also true in humans. There is a substance (called “nephrocalcin”) in urine which naturally inhibits the formation of calcium oxalate stones. This substance is defective in both humans and dogs who form calcium oxalate bladder stones. The production of defective nephrocalcin may be a genetic problem.

In humans, the genetic predisposition for stone formation is coupled with dietary issues (problem foods include: spinach, peanuts, chocolate, dairy products, calcium supplements, vitamin C supplements, and tea). Dogs are more likely to eat simply a commercial brand of dog food without nearly the dietary variety that humans experience. This means that diet can be used to manage the problem in the dog but, unless the dog is receiving an unusual treat supply, probably the diet is not a cause.

There are some metabolic diseases that might predispose a dog to creating a calcium oxalate stone. For example, a dog with Cushing''s disease will be over-producing cortisol (commonly known as "cortisone"). This hormone increases calcium excretion in urine. The extra calcium present in the urine will promote a stone. Some animals may have an elevated blood calcium level ("hypercalcemia") for any number of reasons and this could lead to excess calcium in the urine as the body attempts to restore calcium balance. Again, extra calcium in the urine promotes a stone. Screening for such medical conditions is important and is generally part of the medical work up once stones are detected on a radiograph. If any such metabolic problems are uncovered, they will need to be treated separately and as these problems are resolved, no further stone prevention measures should be needed.

WHY CAN’T THE STONES STAY WHERE THEY ARE?

The most immediate concern for the dog with bladder stones is that the urinary opening may obstruct as the dog attempts to pass the stones. This is largely a male dog problem but the results can be life-threatening uremic poisoning. In such cases, the veterinarian will try to dislodge the stone, flushing it back into the bladder to restore the patency of the urinary opening. If the stone cannot be dislodged, a new urinary opening may have to be surgically created. The urethra (the narrow tube connecting the urinary bladder to the outside world) is a difficult place to perform surgery so it is preferrable to move the stone back into the bladder for removal rather than attempting removal from the urethra.

Bladder stones are irritating to the bladder simply by rubbing on the tender bladder lining. Bleeding typically results and, of course, the chance of developing chronic bladder infections is markedly increased with the presence of bladder stones.

BECAUSE CALCIUM OXALATE STONES
CANNOT BE DISSOLVED BY DIET CHANGE,
SURGICAL REMOVAL OF THE STONES
IS USUALLY NECESSARY.

STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT 50% OF DOGS
THAT HAVE UNDERGONE SUCH SURGERY
WILL DEVELOP NEW CALCIUM OXALATE STONES
WITHIN THREE YEARS.

THE FOLLOWING THERAPEUTIC PLAN HAS BEEN DEVISED TO MINIMIZE THE CHANCE OF RECURRENCE:

STEP ONE: DIET

While special diets cannot dissolve existing stones, they do help prevent the development of new stones. Prevention centers on creating a urinary environment with minimal calcium and minimal oxalate as well as creating a urine pH that is not conducive to calcium oxalate formation.

The usual diets recommended include:

* Hills K/D diet

* Hills U/D diet

* Royal Canin Modified diet

* Royal Canin L/P diet

* NF from Purina

For each of the above diets, the canned form is preferable to dry so as to increase water consumption and thus help dilute the urine. It is especially important to avoid table scraps when caring for an oxalate stone forming dog. Still, no one wants their dog to live life without treats. The following treats are acceptable for oxalate stone forming dogs:

* plain cooked chicken

* plain cooked turkey

* eggs

* rice

* peas

* pasta

* white potatoes

* cabbage

* cauliflower

* bananas

* melon

Many pet owners ask if any non-prescription diets are appropriate for this condition. None are, however, it may be possible to have a veterinary nutritionist provide a recipe for an appropriate home cooked diet. Please visit Welcome to the Balance IT® Web Site or Welcome to Pet Diets for details.

CON'T...SEE PART #2

01-18-2009, 06:18 PM	#2
miabellaamoure ♥YORKIERESCUE.com♥ Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 8,708	Look what I found on the web...Part #1 (snack list included, too)! Canine Oxalate Bladder Stones OXALATE BLADDER STONES IN THE DOG * 73% of Calcium Oxalate patients are male. This stone type is unusual in females. * Breeds at especially high risk include: miniature schnauzers, lhasa apsos, Yorkshire terriers, miniature poodles, shih tzus, and bichon frises. * Most cases occur in dogs between ages 5 and 12 years of age. HOW DO WE KNOW THESE ARE CALCIUM OXALATE STONES? Although a urinalysis can provide a clue, the only way to know for sure that a dog’s bladder stone is an oxalate stone is to retrieve a stone and have a laboratory analyze it. If the stones are very small, flushing the urinary bladder and forcefully expressing it may produce a stone sample for testing. The only other way to obtain a sample is to surgically open the bladder and remove the stones. The surgical method is invasive but provides the most rapid resolution of the bladder stone issue. Calcium oxalate stones cannot be made to dissolve over time by changing to a special diet (as can be done with struvite or uric acid bladder stones). WHY WOULD MY DOG FORM CALCIUM OXALATE STONES? It should not be too surprising that there is a strong hereditary component to the formation of oxalate bladder stones. This is also true in humans. There is a substance (called “nephrocalcin”) in urine which naturally inhibits the formation of calcium oxalate stones. This substance is defective in both humans and dogs who form calcium oxalate bladder stones. The production of defective nephrocalcin may be a genetic problem. In humans, the genetic predisposition for stone formation is coupled with dietary issues (problem foods include: spinach, peanuts, chocolate, dairy products, calcium supplements, vitamin C supplements, and tea). Dogs are more likely to eat simply a commercial brand of dog food without nearly the dietary variety that humans experience. This means that diet can be used to manage the problem in the dog but, unless the dog is receiving an unusual treat supply, probably the diet is not a cause. There are some metabolic diseases that might predispose a dog to creating a calcium oxalate stone. For example, a dog with Cushing''s disease will be over-producing cortisol (commonly known as "cortisone"). This hormone increases calcium excretion in urine. The extra calcium present in the urine will promote a stone. Some animals may have an elevated blood calcium level ("hypercalcemia") for any number of reasons and this could lead to excess calcium in the urine as the body attempts to restore calcium balance. Again, extra calcium in the urine promotes a stone. Screening for such medical conditions is important and is generally part of the medical work up once stones are detected on a radiograph. If any such metabolic problems are uncovered, they will need to be treated separately and as these problems are resolved, no further stone prevention measures should be needed. WHY CAN’T THE STONES STAY WHERE THEY ARE? The most immediate concern for the dog with bladder stones is that the urinary opening may obstruct as the dog attempts to pass the stones. This is largely a male dog problem but the results can be life-threatening uremic poisoning. In such cases, the veterinarian will try to dislodge the stone, flushing it back into the bladder to restore the patency of the urinary opening. If the stone cannot be dislodged, a new urinary opening may have to be surgically created. The urethra (the narrow tube connecting the urinary bladder to the outside world) is a difficult place to perform surgery so it is preferrable to move the stone back into the bladder for removal rather than attempting removal from the urethra. Bladder stones are irritating to the bladder simply by rubbing on the tender bladder lining. Bleeding typically results and, of course, the chance of developing chronic bladder infections is markedly increased with the presence of bladder stones. BECAUSE CALCIUM OXALATE STONES CANNOT BE DISSOLVED BY DIET CHANGE, SURGICAL REMOVAL OF THE STONES IS USUALLY NECESSARY. STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT 50% OF DOGS THAT HAVE UNDERGONE SUCH SURGERY WILL DEVELOP NEW CALCIUM OXALATE STONES WITHIN THREE YEARS. THE FOLLOWING THERAPEUTIC PLAN HAS BEEN DEVISED TO MINIMIZE THE CHANCE OF RECURRENCE: STEP ONE: DIET While special diets cannot dissolve existing stones, they do help prevent the development of new stones. Prevention centers on creating a urinary environment with minimal calcium and minimal oxalate as well as creating a urine pH that is not conducive to calcium oxalate formation. The usual diets recommended include: * Hills K/D diet * Hills U/D diet * Royal Canin Modified diet * Royal Canin L/P diet * NF from Purina For each of the above diets, the canned form is preferable to dry so as to increase water consumption and thus help dilute the urine. It is especially important to avoid table scraps when caring for an oxalate stone forming dog. Still, no one wants their dog to live life without treats. The following treats are acceptable for oxalate stone forming dogs: * plain cooked chicken * plain cooked turkey * eggs * rice * peas * pasta * white potatoes * cabbage * cauliflower * bananas * melon Many pet owners ask if any non-prescription diets are appropriate for this condition. None are, however, it may be possible to have a veterinary nutritionist provide a recipe for an appropriate home cooked diet. Please visit Welcome to the Balance IT® Web Site or Welcome to Pet Diets for details. CON'T...SEE PART #2 __________________ Jo Ann Abby, Bella , Phoebe & Violette.... Last edited by miabellaamoure; 01-18-2009 at 06:21 PM.