Canine Bladder Stones — Explained

Key Takeaways

Bladder stones are mineral formations in the urinary bladder that can range from sand-like grains to large stones

Common symptoms include blood in urine, straining to urinate, frequent urination attempts, and urinary accidents

Treatment options include surgical removal, dietary dissolution, urohydropropulsion, and laser lithotripsy depending on stone type and size

Struvite stones can often be dissolved with special diets, while calcium oxalate stones typically require surgical removal

Prevention focuses on proper hydration, balanced diet, regular veterinary checkups, and stone-specific dietary management

Discovering blood in your dog’s urine or watching them strain to urinate can be alarming for any pet owner. These symptoms may indicate bladder stones, a condition affecting up to 20% of dogs presenting with lower urinary tract signs in some veterinary practices. Understanding canine bladder stones—from recognition to treatment—empowers you to seek timely care and prevent serious complications.

Bladder stones form when minerals crystallize and cluster in your dog’s urinary bladder, potentially causing pain, infection, and life-threatening blockages. While some stones dissolve with specialized diets, others require surgical intervention. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about diagnosing bladder stones, treating bladder stones, and preventing their recurrence.

The process starts when urine becomes supersaturated with specific minerals under certain conditions. Factors like urine pH changes, bacterial infections, and dietary imbalances create an environment where struvite crystals form or calcium oxalate crystals accumulate. These crystals serve as building blocks for larger stone development.

Your dog’s urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra. Most bladder stones develop specifically in the bladder itself, though stones can occasionally form in other parts of the urinary tract. Kidney stones, on the other hand, form in the kidneys and are a different condition from bladder stones, often requiring different management and prevention strategies.

The bladder’s environment—influenced by urine concentration, pH levels, and the presence of bacteria—determines whether conditions favor stone formation.

Stones may exist as single large formations or multiple stones present simultaneously. Small stones can sometimes pass through the urethra naturally, while large bladder stones typically require medical intervention. The size and number of stones present directly impact the severity of symptoms and treatment options available.

Types of Bladder Stones in Dogs

Understanding the different types of urinary stones helps predict treatment success and prevention strategies. Each stone type forms under specific conditions and affects certain breeds more commonly than others.

Cystine stones are a less common type of bladder stone. They are formed from cystine crystals, which develop due to a genetic defect affecting amino acid metabolism.

Struvite Stones (Magnesium Ammonium Phosphate)

Struvite bladder stones represent the most common type, accounting for 40-50% of all canine bladder stones. These stones typically develop in alkaline urine, often in conjunction with urinary tract infections caused by urease-producing bacteria like Staphylococcus or Proteus. The bacteria increase ammonia levels and raise urine pH, creating ideal conditions for struvite crystals form.

Female dogs develop struvite stones more frequently than males due to their higher susceptibility to urinary tract infections. Breeds commonly affected include Shih Tzus, Cocker Spaniels, and Bichon Frises. Fortunately, struvite stones can often be dissolved through dietary dissolution using therapeutic diets.

Calcium Oxalate Stones

Calcium oxalate bladder stones show a strong hereditary component and typically affect middle-aged to older male dogs. These stones form in acidic urine and are not associated with bacterial infections. High urine acidity (urine pH less than 6.5) increases the risk of calcium oxalate stone formation in dogs. Once formed, calcium oxalate stones cannot be dissolved with diet and require surgical removal.

Breeds at increased risk include Miniature Schnauzers, Lhasa Apsos, Yorkshire Terriers, and Shih Tzus. Golden and Labrador Retrievers also show predisposition to calcium oxalate stone formation. These stones have high recurrence rates—up to 50% within three years without proper preventive management.

Urate Stones

Urate stones primarily affect Dalmatians due to a genetic defect causing excessive uric acid excretion in urine. Dogs with liver disease may also develop urate stones regardless of breed. These stones appear radiolucent on X-rays, making diagnosis more challenging.

Treatment involves surgical removal combined with dietary management using low-purine diets and medications to alkalize urine. Early intervention prevents complications and reduces recurrence risk in predisposed breeds.

Cystine Stones

Cystine stones result from a rare genetic defect affecting amino acid metabolism, primarily in male dogs. Breeds commonly affected include English Bulldogs, Dachshunds, and Mastiffs. These stones require surgical removal since dietary dissolution is not effective.

Silicate Stones

Silicate stones relate to dietary factors and primarily affect German Shepherds and other large breeds. These stones often contain plant-based silicates and may be associated with specific dietary ingredients or environmental factors.

Stone Type	Common Breeds	Formation Conditions	Treatment Options
Struvite	Shih Tzu, Cocker Spaniel	Alkaline urine, UTI	Dietary dissolution
Calcium Oxalate	Miniature Schnauzer, Yorkshire Terrier	Acidic urine, genetic	Surgical removal
Urate	Dalmatian	Genetic defect, liver disease	Surgery + diet
Cystine	English Bulldog, Dachshund	Genetic defect	Surgical removal
Silicate	German Shepherd	Dietary factors	Surgical removal

Stone Type

Common Breeds

Formation Conditions

Treatment Options

Struvite

Shih Tzu, Cocker Spaniel

Alkaline urine, UTI

Dietary dissolution

Calcium Oxalate

Miniature Schnauzer, Yorkshire Terrier

Acidic urine, genetic

Surgical removal

Urate

Dalmatian

Genetic defect, liver disease

Surgery + diet

Cystine

English Bulldog, Dachshund

Genetic defect

Surgical removal

Silicate

German Shepherd

Dietary factors

Surgical removal

Primary Symptoms

The most common signs include bloody urine (hematuria), which may appear pink, red, or dark-colored. Many owners first notice this during walks or when cleaning up accidents indoors. Urine straining represents another key indicator—dogs may squat repeatedly while producing only small amounts of urine or none at all.

Frequent urination attempts, even in house-trained dogs, signal bladder irritation. Your dog may ask to go outside more often than usual or have urinary accidents despite normal toilet habits. These accidents often occur because inflamed bladder tissue triggers the urge to urinate when the bladder isn’t full.

Pain Indicators

Dogs with bladder stones often show signs of abdominal pain or discomfort. This may manifest as restlessness, reluctance to lie down, or vocalization during urination attempts. Some dogs develop a hunched posture or show sensitivity when their abdomen is touched during a physical exam.

Changes in urination posture may also indicate pain. Male dogs might lift their legs differently or female dogs may squat for extended periods without producing urine.

Emergency Signs

Immediate emergency treatment becomes necessary when dogs cannot urinate at all. This condition, called urinary obstruction, occurs when stones lodged in the urethra completely block urine flow. Male dogs face higher risk due to their narrower urethra.

Warning signs of urinary tract obstruction include:

Inability to produce any urine despite straining

Distended, painful abdomen

Vomiting and lethargy

Collapse or disorientation

This condition is potentially life threatening and requires emergency treatment within hours to prevent bladder rupture or kidney damage.

Asymptomatic Cases

Some dogs with small bladder stones show no obvious symptoms, particularly if stones remain small and don’t cause significant irritation. These cases are often discovered during routine veterinary examinations or diagnostic imaging for other conditions. Regular veterinary checkups help identify these silent cases before complications develop.

Causes and Risk Factors

Multiple factors contribute to stone formation, often working together to create conditions favoring crystal development and growth. Understanding these causes helps target prevention strategies effectively.

Primary Causes

Urinary tract infections play a crucial role in struvite stone development. Bacteria producing urease enzyme break down urea in urine, creating ammonia and raising urine pH to alkaline levels. This environment promotes struvite crystal formation and subsequent stone growth.

Dietary imbalances significantly influence stone formation. Diets high in certain minerals—particularly magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus—can increase stone risk. Excessive protein intake may also contribute by altering urine chemistry and increasing mineral excretion.

Genetic predisposition affects many breeds’ susceptibility to specific stone types. These inherited factors influence how dogs metabolize certain compounds, excrete minerals, or maintain normal urine chemistry.

Metabolic Factors

Underlying health conditions can predispose dogs to bladder stones. Diabetes mellitus increases infection risk and alters urine composition. Cushing’s disease affects metabolism and immune function, potentially increasing stone formation risk.

Liver disease, particularly portosystemic shunts, can lead to urate stone development by impairing the liver’s ability to process purines into more soluble compounds.

Environmental Factors

Inadequate water intake concentrates urine, increasing mineral saturation and stone formation risk. Dogs with limited access to fresh water or those preferring dry food may develop highly concentrated urine that favors crystal development.

Infrequent urination opportunities allow urine to remain in the bladder longer, providing more time for crystal formation and growth. Dogs left alone for extended periods without bathroom breaks face increased risk.

Breed and Individual Factors

Certain breeds show genetic predisposition to specific stone types:

Dalmatians : Urate stones due to inherited metabolic defects

Miniature Schnauzers : Calcium oxalate stones

English Bulldogs : Multiple stone types including calcium oxalate and cystine stones

Yorkshire Terriers : Calcium oxalate stones

Age influences stone type prevalence. Calcium oxalate stones typically affect middle-aged to older dogs, while struvite stones can develop at any age but often occur in younger female dogs due to higher UTI rates.

How Quickly Can Bladder Stones Form?

Stone formation timeline varies dramatically based on multiple factors, making prediction challenging for individual cases. Understanding formation speed helps determine monitoring frequency and intervention timing.

Rapid formation can occur within 2-4 weeks under ideal conditions. This typically happens when strong predisposing factors align—such as severe urinary tract infections with high bacterial loads, highly concentrated urine, and favorable pH conditions. Struvite stones often form more quickly than other types due to their association with bacterial infections.

More commonly, stones develop over several months. Small stones may remain asymptomatic for extended periods, gradually growing larger until they cause noticeable symptoms. This slower progression allows time for prevention strategies if risk factors are identified early.

Factors accelerating formation include:

Active bacterial infections producing large amounts of urease

Highly concentrated urine from inadequate water intake

Diets extremely high in stone-forming minerals

Underlying metabolic disorders affecting mineral excretion

Conversely, adequate hydration, balanced nutrition, and prompt treatment of urinary tract infections can significantly slow or prevent stone development even in predisposed dogs.

Physical Examination

Your veterinarian begins with a thorough physical exam, carefully palpating your dog’s abdomen to feel bladder stones if they’re large enough. This hands-on assessment can sometimes detect larger stones directly, though small stones may not be palpable.

Observation of urination posture and behavior provides additional diagnostic clues. Your veterinarian may ask you to demonstrate or describe changes you’ve noticed in your dog’s elimination habits.

Laboratory Testing

Urinalysis forms the cornerstone of bladder stone diagnosis. This test evaluates urine pH, concentration, crystal types present, and evidence of infection or inflammation. Urine cultures help identify bacterial infections requiring treatment alongside stone management.

Typical urinalysis costs range from $65-$175, making it an accessible first-line diagnostic tool. Results guide further testing and help predict stone composition before imaging.

Complete blood count and chemistry panels assess overall health and identify underlying conditions like diabetes or kidney disease that might contribute to stone formation.

Diagnostic Imaging

X-rays (radiographs) reveal most bladder stones since they appear radiopaque on imaging. This cost-effective method (typically $50 and up) can show stone number, size, and location. However, urate stones and some other types appear radiolucent and won’t show on standard X-rays.

Ultrasound examination detects all stone types regardless of composition, making it more comprehensive than X-rays alone. Ultrasound also evaluates bladder wall thickness and identifies other abnormalities. Costs typically range around $250 or more.

Advanced Imaging

When standard imaging doesn’t provide clear answers, contrast radiography using special dyes can outline the urinary tract and reveal radiolucent stones. This technique helps visualize stones that don’t appear on regular X-rays.

Differential Diagnosis

Veterinarians must distinguish bladder stones from other conditions causing similar symptoms, including:

Simple urinary tract infections without stones

Bladder tumors or polyps

Urethral strictures or masses

Behavioral urination problems

Comprehensive testing ensures accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment selection.

Treatment Options

When considering dogs treatment for bladder stones, selection depends on stone type, size, location, your dog’s overall health, and your preferences regarding invasive procedures. Each approach offers distinct advantages and limitations that your veterinarian will discuss based on your specific situation.

Modern veterinary medicine provides four main treatment approaches: surgical removal, dietary dissolution, non-surgical removal techniques, and supportive care. Surgery is often necessary to remove bladder stones that are too large to pass naturally, and cystotomy is a common procedure used to treat bladder stones quickly and effectively. In some cases, special diets can be used to dissolve bladder stones, particularly certain types like struvite stones, though this process may take weeks or months and is not suitable for all cases. Veterinarians use a combination of these methods to treat bladder stones depending on the stone type and patient needs. The choice between these options requires careful consideration of multiple factors.

Factors Influencing Treatment Choice

Stone composition represents the most critical factor since only certain types respond to dietary dissolution. Struvite stones can often be dissolved, while calcium oxalate stones require surgical removal or other mechanical removal methods.

Stone size and location affect treatment feasibility. Small stones may pass naturally or respond to non-surgical techniques, while large stones often require surgical intervention. Stones present in the urethra pose immediate obstruction risk requiring emergency treatment.

Your dog’s age, health status, and anesthesia risk influence treatment selection. Older dogs or those with heart, kidney, or liver disease may benefit from less invasive approaches when possible.

Surgical Removal (Cystotomy)

Surgical removal through cystotomy remains the gold standard for immediate, definitive stone removal. This procedure involves making an abdominal incision to access the bladder directly, allowing complete stone removal and thorough bladder examination.

Procedure Details

The surgery begins with general anesthesia and sterile preparation of the surgical site. Your veterinarian makes an incision through the abdominal wall, then carefully opens the bladder to remove all visible stones. The bladder is thoroughly flushed and examined for additional small stones or abnormalities before closure.

This approach allows complete visualization of the bladder interior and removal of stones that might be missed with other methods. The procedure typically takes 1-2 hours depending on complexity.

Benefits and Risks

Surgical removal provides immediate relief and allows stone analysis to guide future prevention strategies. The procedure offers high success rates and low recurrence when combined with appropriate preventive measures.

Risks include anesthesia complications, surgical site infection, and prolonged recovery time. Most dogs recover well with appropriate post-operative care and activity restrictions.

Cost and Recovery

Surgical costs range from $700-$4,000 depending on case complexity, geographic location, and whether complications arise. This wide range reflects factors like emergency surgery requirements, overnight hospitalization needs, and regional cost variations.

Recovery typically takes 2-3 weeks with activity restrictions to allow proper healing. Your dog will need cone collar use to prevent surgical site interference and gradual return to normal activity levels.

Dietary Dissolution

Dietary dissolution offers a non-invasive treatment option for specific stone types, primarily struvite stones and some urate stones. This approach uses specially formulated therapeutic diets to alter urine chemistry and dissolve existing stones.

Mechanism of Action

Therapeutic diets work by modifying urine pH, reducing mineral content, and increasing urine volume to create conditions unfavorable for stone persistence. These diets also help treat underlying urinary tract infections that often accompany struvite stones.

Royal Canin Urinary and Hill’s Prescription Diet represent leading therapeutic diets proven effective for stone dissolution. These formulations undergo rigorous testing to ensure safety and efficacy.

Timeline and Monitoring

Struvite stone dissolution typically occurs within 2-5 weeks for smaller stones, though larger stones may require up to 3 months. Regular monitoring through urinalysis and imaging tracks progress and ensures treatment effectiveness.

Your veterinarian will schedule follow-up appointments every 2-4 weeks during dissolution therapy to monitor progress and adjust treatment as needed.

Limitations

Dietary dissolution only works for struvite stones and some urate stones. Calcium oxalate, cystine, and silicate stones cannot be dissolved through diet alone and require surgical or mechanical removal.

Additionally, underlying urinary tract infections must be treated simultaneously with antibiotics for successful struvite stone dissolution.

Non-Surgical Removal Methods

Advanced veterinary practices increasingly offer minimally invasive alternatives to traditional surgery for appropriate candidates. These techniques reduce recovery time and anesthesia exposure while effectively removing stones.

Urohydropropulsion

This technique uses catheter-delivered saline to flush small stones through the urethra. The procedure works best for small stones in female dogs due to their shorter, wider urethras. Costs typically range from $1,000-$2,000.

Success depends on stone size and patient anatomy. Multiple attempts may be necessary, and backup surgical plans should be available if the technique fails.

Laser Lithotripsy

Laser lithotripsy uses an endoscope and laser fiber to break stones into smaller fragments that can pass naturally or be removed through the scope. This technique requires specialized equipment and training but offers excellent results for appropriate candidates.

The procedure involves inserting a cystoscope through the urethra to visualize stones directly. Laser energy fragments the stones into pieces small enough for natural passage or mechanical removal.

Cystoscopic Removal

Direct visualization through cystoscopy allows targeted stone removal using specialized instruments. This approach works well for moderately sized stones and provides excellent visualization of the entire bladder.

Costs for minimally invasive procedures typically range from $1,000-$4,200 depending on the specific technique and case complexity.

Recovery and Post-Treatment Care

Successful treatment extends beyond the initial intervention to include comprehensive recovery support and long-term monitoring. Proper post-treatment care significantly impacts outcome success and recurrence prevention.

Immediate Post-Surgical Care

Pain management forms a crucial component of recovery, with veterinarians prescribing appropriate medications to ensure comfort during healing. Activity restriction prevents surgical site complications—typically involving leash walks only and no running, jumping, or rough play for 2-3 weeks.

Cone collar use prevents surgical site interference while the incision heals. Many dogs adapt quickly to cone collars with patience and positive reinforcement.

Dietary Management

Transitioning to preventive diets helps prevent recurrence based on the removed stone composition. This transition should occur gradually over 5-7 days to prevent digestive upset, similar to any dietary change.

Feeding schedules should remain consistent, with fresh water available at all times to promote adequate hydration and frequent urination.

Monitoring Schedule

Follow-up urinalysis at 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months helps detect early signs of recurrence or complications. Regular monitoring allows intervention before problems become serious.

Your veterinarian may recommend more frequent monitoring for dogs at high recurrence risk or those with underlying predisposing conditions.

Recognizing Complications

Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice difficulty urinating, blood in urine, loss of appetite, or signs of pain. These symptoms may indicate complications requiring prompt intervention.

Most dogs return to normal activity levels within 2-3 weeks and maintain excellent quality of life with appropriate management.

Hydration Management

Adequate water intake dilutes urine and promotes frequent urination, reducing mineral concentration and crystal formation time. Strategies to increase water consumption include:

Providing multiple water bowls in different locations

Using water fountains to encourage drinking

Adding water to dry food or feeding wet food exclusively

Flavoring water with low-sodium broth (veterinarian-approved)

Monitor daily water intake to ensure adequate consumption. Most dogs should drink approximately 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight daily, though this varies with activity level, temperature, and diet.

Dietary Prevention

Stone-specific dietary management represents the most effective prevention strategy. Your veterinarian will recommend therapeutic diets based on the analyzed stone composition:

Struvite stone prevention : Diets that maintain slightly acidic urine pH and reduce magnesium content

Calcium oxalate stone prevention : Diets with reduced oxalate content and balanced calcium levels

Urate stone prevention : Low-purine diets with alkalinizing agents

Avoid feeding high-risk ingredients without veterinary guidance. Table scraps, certain treats, and supplements may contain minerals that promote stone formation.

Regular Veterinary Care

Annual urinalysis helps detect early crystal formation before stones develop. Dogs with previous stones may benefit from more frequent monitoring—every 6 months or as recommended by your veterinarian.

Prompt treatment of urinary tract infections prevents struvite stone formation. Monitor for symptoms like frequent urination, straining, or accidents in house-trained dogs.

Environmental Factors

Provide frequent potty breaks to prevent urine retention in the bladder. Dogs should have opportunities to urinate every 6-8 hours at minimum, more frequently for dogs prone to stones.

Stress reduction supports overall urinary tract health. Maintain consistent routines, provide adequate exercise, and address behavioral issues that might affect normal elimination patterns.

Breed-Specific Considerations

Dogs from breeds predisposed to specific stone types benefit from targeted monitoring and early intervention strategies. Genetic testing may be available for certain conditions predisposing to stone formation.

Work with your veterinarian to develop monitoring schedules appropriate for your dog’s specific risk factors and breed predispositions.

Prognosis and Long-Term Outlook

The overall prognosis for dogs with bladder stones is good with proper treatment and ongoing management. Most dogs return to normal quality of life and maintain excellent health with appropriate preventive care.

Success Rates and Recurrence

Treatment success rates vary by stone type and management approach. Surgical removal provides immediate resolution with low complication rates when performed by experienced veterinarians. Dietary dissolution succeeds in 80-90% of appropriate struvite stone cases.

Recurrence rates depend heavily on stone type and preventive management compliance:

Struvite stones : Low recurrence (10-20%) with proper UTI prevention and dietary management

Calcium oxalate stones : Higher recurrence (30-50% within 3 years) requiring lifelong management

Urate stones : Moderate recurrence without genetic management and dietary control

Quality of Life Considerations

Most dogs experience complete resolution of symptoms following successful treatment. Activity levels typically return to normal within weeks of recovery, and long-term restrictions are rarely necessary.

Dogs requiring special diets adapt well to therapeutic formulations, which are nutritionally complete and palatable. Many owners report improved overall health with consistent dietary management.

Long-Term Management Requirements

Successful long-term management requires ongoing partnership between you and your veterinary team. This includes:

Consistent feeding of prescribed therapeutic diets

Regular monitoring through urinalysis and imaging

Prompt treatment of urinary tract infections

Maintaining adequate hydration

Monitoring for symptom recurrence

When to Seek Emergency Care

Recognize signs requiring immediate veterinary attention:

Complete inability to urinate

Severe straining with no urine production

Distended, painful abdomen

Vomiting and lethargy in conjunction with urinary symptoms

Collapse or disorientation

These symptoms may indicate urinary obstruction requiring emergency treatment to prevent life-threatening complications.

Cost Considerations

Understanding the financial investment required for bladder stone management helps with treatment planning and decision-making. Costs vary significantly based on treatment approach, geographic location, and case complexity.

Diagnostic Costs

Initial diagnostic workup typically ranges from $300-$800, including:

Physical examination: $50-$100

Urinalysis and culture: $100-$200

X-rays: $75-$200

Ultrasound: $250-$400

Blood work: $100-$300

Advanced imaging or specialized testing may increase diagnostic costs, but thorough evaluation ensures appropriate treatment selection.

Treatment Costs

Treatment expenses vary dramatically by approach:

Surgical Removal : $700-$4,000

Basic cystotomy: $800-$2,000

Emergency surgery: $1,500-$4,000

Complications or extended hospitalization increase costs

Dietary Dissolution : $50-$100 monthly

Therapeutic diet costs: $60-$100 per month

Monitoring appointments: $100-$200 every 2-4 weeks during treatment

Minimally Invasive Procedures : $1,000-$4,200

Technique complexity and equipment requirements influence pricing

May include multiple sessions for optimal results

Follow-Up Care

Ongoing monitoring and prevention costs include:

Annual urinalysis: $75-$150

Periodic imaging: $150-$400

Therapeutic diets: $600-$1,200 annually

Treatment of recurrent UTIs: $200-$500 per episode

Financial Planning Options

Pet insurance may cover bladder stone treatment, though pre-existing condition clauses vary by policy. Review coverage details before treatment begins.

CareCredit and similar financing options help manage veterinary expenses through payment plans. Many veterinary practices accept these financing programs.

Discuss cost concerns openly with your veterinarian. Treatment plans can often be modified to balance effectiveness with financial constraints while maintaining your dog’s health and comfort.

FAQ

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Are bladder stones contagious to other pets or humans?

No, bladder stones are not contagious. They develop due to internal metabolic factors, dietary issues, or genetic predisposition, not through transmission between animals or to humans. However, if your dog has a urinary tract infection contributing to stone formation, the bacteria causing the infection could theoretically spread between pets sharing water bowls, though this is uncommon with proper hygiene.

Can I treat my dog’s bladder stones at home?

No scientifically proven home remedies exist for treating bladder stones. While increasing water intake and dietary changes may help prevent formation, existing stones require veterinary treatment through surgery, prescription diets, or other professional interventions. Attempting home treatment delays proper care and may lead to serious complications like urinary obstruction.

How long can my dog live with untreated bladder stones?

Dogs may have bladder stones for months without showing symptoms, but the condition will eventually worsen. Untreated stones can cause chronic pain, recurrent infections, and potentially fatal urinary obstruction, making veterinary treatment essential. The timeline varies greatly—some dogs develop complications within weeks while others remain stable for months before symptoms appear.

Will my dog need a special diet for life after bladder stone treatment?

This depends on the stone type and your dog’s risk factors. Dogs with struvite stones may need therapeutic diets long-term to prevent recurrence, especially if they’re prone to urinary tract infections. Those with calcium oxalate stones typically require permanent dietary management since these stones cannot be dissolved and have high recurrence rates without proper prevention.

Is there a vaccine to prevent bladder stones in dogs?

No vaccine exists to prevent bladder stones. Prevention relies on proper diet, adequate hydration, regular veterinary care, and management of underlying health conditions that may contribute to stone formation. While vaccines protect against many infectious diseases, bladder stones result from metabolic, dietary, and genetic factors rather than infectious agents that vaccines could target.