03/08/2026
When Snowy was presented to Dr Otto, nobody expected this. According to the owner, Snowy started urinating more frequently than before, thinking she only had a bladder infection. Dr Otto did his usual consultation and found that the bladder felt like a “bag of marbles” and decided to take x - rays. Just as expected, Dr Otto could see stones inside the bladder.
These stones would never dissolve naturally and Dr Otto had no choice but to operate on Snowy. I took a video for you from the operation as normal photos would do it no justice. However, ⚠️footage could be not suitable to sensitive viewers.
These stones were send to the University of Minnesota Urolith Centre by Hill’s Pet Nutrition. After about two months the results confirmed that these stones were indeed struvite stones.
Initially Snowy’s diet had been adjusted and by now she is back on her normal food as the bladder stones were not related to her food intake. This is one of these “unknown scenarios” where one does not know what was first: the chicken or the egg. Snowy recovered 100% and is her normal self and Urinating like any other dog and no further signs of any more bladder stones.
🐶 STRUVITE STONES IN DOGS
When a bladder stone can become a serious—and potentially life-threatening—problem
Many dogs can develop stones in their urinary tract, and one of the most common types is a struvite stone.
Struvite stones are made up primarily of magnesium, ammonium and phosphate. They most commonly develop in the bladder, although they can occur elsewhere in the urinary tract.
The good news is that struvite stones can often be successfully treated. The important thing is recognising the signs early and getting your dog examined by your veterinarian.
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🪨 WHY DO STRUVITE STONES FORM?
In dogs, struvite stones are very often associated with a bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI).
Certain bacteria produce an enzyme called urease, which changes the chemistry of the urine. This can make the urine more alkaline and encourage crystals to form. Over time, these crystals can join together and develop into stones.
Some dogs are more prone to developing urinary stones than others.
Factors can include:
• Recurrent urinary tract infections
• Female dogs, which are more commonly affected by infection-associated struvite stones
• Certain breeds with a predisposition to urinary stones
• Concentrated urine
• Dietary factors
• Previous bladder stones
• Conditions that make complete emptying of the bladder difficult
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🚨 WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS?
A dog with bladder stones may show signs that can easily be mistaken for an ordinary urinary infection.
Watch for:
🔴 Frequent attempts to urinate
🔴 Straining to urinate
🔴 Passing only small amounts of urine
🔴 Blood in the urine
🔴 Cloudy or unusually strong-smelling urine
🔴 Accidents in the house
🔴 Licking around the urinary opening
🔴 Pain or discomfort when urinating
🔴 Restlessness or abdominal discomfort
Some dogs may show very few obvious signs, particularly in the early stages.
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⚠️ A BLOCKED URINARY TRACT IS AN EMERGENCY
One of the biggest dangers of bladder stones is that a stone can move into the urethra—the tube through which urine leaves the bladder—and become lodged.
This can cause a urinary obstruction.
A dog that cannot pass urine is in a life-threatening emergency.
A complete obstruction prevents the normal removal of waste products and can cause dangerous changes in the body’s electrolytes and kidney function. Without prompt treatment, a complete urinary blockage can result in bladder rupture, severe illness and death.
🚨 IF YOUR DOG IS STRAINING TO URINATE BUT LITTLE OR NO URINE IS COMING OUT, SEEK VETERINARY ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY.
Do not wait to see whether it improves.
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🔬 HOW ARE STRUVITE STONES DIAGNOSED?
Your veterinarian may recommend several tests.
🩺 Urinalysis
A urine sample can show:
• Crystals
• Blood
• White blood cells
• Bacteria
• Urine pH changes
🦠 Urine culture
A urine culture can help identify whether bacteria are present and determine which antibiotics are appropriate.
🩻 X-rays
Many struvite stones are visible on ordinary X-rays.
🖥️ Ultrasound
Ultrasound can help identify stones and assess the bladder and urinary tract.
Your veterinarian may use a combination of these tests to determine what is happening.
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💊 HOW ARE STRUVITE STONES TREATED?
Treatment depends on the individual dog and the size and location of the stones.
1. Treating the infection
Because infection-associated struvite stones are commonly linked to bacteria, treating the underlying urinary infection is extremely important.
Your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics based on the suspected or confirmed infection.
2. Prescription urinary diet
Some struvite stones can be dissolved with a specially formulated veterinary therapeutic diet, provided the stone is suitable for dissolution and the underlying infection is properly managed.
These diets are designed to alter the urinary environment and reduce the building blocks needed for stone formation.
They should be used under veterinary supervision.
3. Increasing water intake
Encouraging your dog to drink more can help produce more dilute urine and increase urine flow.
Your veterinarian may recommend strategies such as feeding appropriate wet food or adding water to meals.
4. Surgical removal
Some stones cannot be dissolved, are too large, cause obstruction, or need to be removed quickly.
In these cases, a procedure or surgery may be necessary like with Snowy.
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🧪 WHY SHOULD STONES BE ANALYSED?
Not every urinary stone is a struvite stone.
Dogs can develop several different types of urinary stones, including calcium oxalate, urate and cystine stones.
Knowing exactly what type of stone your dog has is important because treatment and prevention can be very different.
If a stone is removed, having it analysed can help your veterinarian develop a plan to reduce the risk of future stones.
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🥣 CAN STRUVITE STONES BE PREVENTED?
In many dogs, prevention focuses on reducing the chance of another urinary infection and keeping the urine appropriately diluted.
Depending on your dog’s individual circumstances, prevention may include:
💧 Encouraging adequate water intake
🩺 Treating urinary infections promptly
🔬 Regular urine testing in dogs prone to infections or stones
🥣 Using a veterinary-prescribed urinary diet when appropriate
🚽 Allowing frequent opportunities to urinate
🩻 Monitoring dogs that have previously suffered from urinary stones
Importantly, do not simply change your dog’s diet without veterinary advice. The correct nutritional approach depends on the type of stone and the individual dog.
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❌ DON’T IGNORE REPEATED “UTIs”
If your dog repeatedly develops urinary infections, there may be an underlying reason.
Repeated infections can be associated with bladder stones, anatomical abnormalities and other medical problems.
A dog that repeatedly has urinary symptoms deserves a proper investigation rather than simply receiving repeated courses of medication.
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❤️ THE GOOD NEWS
Struvite stones are often treatable, and in many cases they can be dissolved with appropriate medical management and a veterinary therapeutic diet.
But early diagnosis is important.
The sooner the infection and stones are identified, the better the chance of preventing complications such as obstruction, kidney problems and severe illness.
🐾 PLEASE REMEMBER:
Straining to urinate is not normal.
Blood in the urine is not normal.
Repeated urinary infections should not simply be ignored.
And if your dog is trying to urinate but cannot pass urine, treat it as an emergency.
Your dog cannot tell you that something is wrong.
Sometimes the first clue is simply a dog making repeated trips outside, squatting frequently, or producing only a few drops of urine.
❤️ When in doubt, have your dog checked by Dr Otto or Dr Vorster at Arboretum Veterinary Clinic.
