Reoccurring Bladder stones
 

My 8 year old boy has had an issue with Calcium Oxalate bladder stones, he has had the stones removed 3 times in the past 5 years the last 2 surgeries were 1 year apart his last surgery being October of 2008. We went to his veterinarian on Wednesday and I was told that he has already formed another 4 stones - his diet consist of Hills U/D, I make his treats out of his dry dog food and we also added Potassium Citrate 2 times daily because his PH was very low; he has been on the U/D for 3 years and the potassium since the last surgery I switched vets in October because his original vet just didn't seem to care that the stones kept reoccurring he had no suggestions or solutions it was a good thing I did because that is when I found out Simon needed a 3rd surgery. I am very happy with our new Vet we have been working very closely monitoring Simon throughout the past 6 months we do monthly urinalysis and I check his PH 2 times daily and I keep a daily log and report to my vet atleast every 2 weeks. His last Urinalysis which was 1.5 weeks ago came back perfect except I noticed that Simon had a dribble I felt very uncomfortable with that and brought him in for an x-ray which showed that he was forming stones again they are small, but present. I am heartbroken and very frustrated and feel like I am running out of options.

As of late yesterday my team of Vets were contemplating trying to flush them, but are worried that if the stonesare larger than theyappear then one could lodge in his urethra and he will need emergency surgery (which would be a more extensive surgery then the Cystectomy), but if it works then NO SURGERY will be needed, but it is a 50/50 chance and it doesn't appear that the odds are ever with Simon! we are also looking into Laser surgery which is less invasive (but not done too much around us) - either way the stones need to be removed, but my biggest concern is how to stop them from forming I can not keep putting him through these surgeries nor can I afford them.

I was hoping that if someone else has had this issue that they could share with me a possible suggestion or solution to help my boy. i am told that it could be just his genetics, but there has to be some way to help him.

There is a surgery they can perform on his penis which would allow him to pass the stones naturally.

Have you ever been given a reason he continuelly develops these? He's a bit old, but liver shunt can result in stones or crystals.

You said that your pup was on Hills U/D dry. Have you thought about changing to wet? A wet diet is preferable to the dry as it will increase the water consumption. The more water in his system, the more diluted the urine will be; thus elliminating stone formation. I would not make anymore dry snacks for him, but would try to keep him on as wet a diet as possible.
Genetics play a big part in this particular disease as well.
I have included a link that has a lot of info about food suggestions as well as meds.

LINK

Best wishes for your little one.
Please keep me updated.

LINK


Sorry hopefully this one will work!

I have no problem switching to wet food for his daily diet, when I make his treats I add water I actually blend his dry food then add water make like a brownie then bake them for 40 minutes (it does not smell very good) then I cut them into squares they are very moist. Simon loves treats and this is a safe way to give them to him. I am anxiously awaiting a call from his vet to find out what our next step is....keeping our fingers crossed!

Please keep us updated as to what the vet has planned.