What is the volume of a dog's bladder?

Urolithiasis is a disease accompanied by the formation of stones (uroliths) in the organs of the urinary system. According to statistics, it is diagnosed in 20-25% of dogs of different ages and breeds. For information about what factors provoke the development of urolithiasis and how to identify it, see below.

Read in this article: Causes of urolithiasis Uroliths: types and characteristics Forms and symptoms of urolithiasis Diagnosis of the disease Treatment of pathology: medicinal and surgical Diet for urolithiasis and choice of food Prevention of urolithiasis in dogs

Causes of ICD

The development of urolithiasis is provoked by various factors, including external and internal. Moreover, in 70% of dogs it occurs at the age of 7-8 years, so their owners need to be especially careful.

The following breeds are included in the high-risk category: dachshund, Australian shepherd, beagle, poodle, English bulldog, shih tzu, wolfhound, etc.

Causes of urolithiasis in dogs:

• Infectious diseases of the urinary system.

Urocystitis, urethritis, pyelonephritis, apostematous nephritis are just some of the infections that can disrupt the functioning of the excretory system. They change the chemical composition of the blood and urine, leading to an increase in pH (acid-base balance).

• Poor nutrition.

Regular consumption of cheap dry food or incorrect use of the “combined feeding” scheme increases the load on the gastrointestinal tract, forcing it to adapt to the constantly changing type of feeding.

• Lack of access to water.

Lack of water or its poor quality also provokes the development of urolithiasis. Keep in mind that unfiltered tap water leads to the formation of insoluble sediments in the kidneys or bladder.

• Irregular walking of the pet.

Prolonged patience and the inability to void at the first urge, combined with the lack of active movements, provokes crystallization of urine. The result is the appearance of sand and stones in the bladder or kidneys.

• Congenital pathologies.

The development of the disease is influenced by many factors: from slowing down metabolic processes to diseases of the kidneys, liver and even blood vessels. In approximately 30-35% of cases, they are congenital in nature and only get worse in the future in the absence of proper treatment.

Prevention of the disease

Naturally, it is better to prevent a situation than to treat it later. Once a dog is paralyzed, only the owner can help him recover. However, there are no magical remedies such as vaccinations or pills that can guarantee healing.

Owners of certain long-bodied breeds should be aware that their dogs are at risk. In this case, it is worth understanding that only a balanced diet, vitamin supplements, as well as regular visits to the veterinarian will be the dog’s (and therefore your) priority for life.

Owners must make all necessary provisions to try to reduce the likelihood of risk to a minimum. To do this, you need to monitor your pet, its diet, activity, physical and moral condition, and regularly visit the veterinarian. If you discover health problems or changes in habits that are not caused by a change in life activity, you should immediately contact a specialist. Take the following rules into account and comply with them regularly:

1. Get into the habit of checking your dog for ticks after a walk. This is especially true in the spring-autumn period.
2. Feed your four-legged dog fresh food, get rid of the habit of picking up food.
3. Teach your dog to actively react to everything that moves, runs, or flies, including birds and cats, as he may be injured in the process of chasing.
4. The most common injury problem results from being chased by a motorcycle or car.
5. It is worth considering even such little things as crossing the street in the right place.

Most owners are not that loyal to their pets. Not everyone agrees that the responsibility for pets lies with those who tamed them. Many people agree to live happily with their pets, however, as soon as it comes to illness, they simply refuse to put up with it.

Spinal injuries, some diseases, and sometimes simply the advanced age of the pet often lead to paralysis of the hind limbs, while above the site of injury all parts of the body retain their mobility. Animals with severe mobility impairment are often referred to as “bedriders” and, like humans, require special care.

Caring for a paralyzed dog is very difficult and requires the owner to regularly perform certain duties. Therefore, it is important to understand that paralysis is usually an irreversible process, and it is unknown how long it will take to care for a paralyzed friend. But there is undoubtedly a positive point: despite difficulties, man and dog continue to communicate, which is a reward for both.

Hygiene

Bedsores and skin lesions

Bedsores form in areas that experience the most pressure: the elbows, hocks and thighs. If your dog develops bedsores, contact your veterinarian immediately. You may need to apply bandages or protective pads to problem areas. To prevent bedsores and effectively treat wounds, special orthopedic beds for animals have been developed; their design allows to avoid pressure on the wounds. It can be ordered at pet stores. When purchasing an orthopedic bed, make sure it is washable. For convenience, it is better to have a second bed in reserve so that you can use one and wash and process the other.

A dog with pelvic paralysis can walk confidently by relying on strong front paws and dragging his hind paws behind him. As a rule, there is no sensitivity in the pelvic limbs, the dog does not feel pain, and extensive damage to the skin of the paralyzed limbs occurs, wounds appear that must be treated. First of all, further injury to the limbs should be prevented, and it is even better to foresee the occurrence of this situation in advance. To satisfy the motor activity of such animals, wheelchairs are used - special carts for dogs with paralyzed hind limbs.

Preventing Bladder Infections

In animals with spinal diseases, the level of damage to the spinal cord and spinal nerves is of primary importance in bladder dysfunction. Thus, when the spine is damaged at the level of the lumbar and supralumbar segment, increased tone of the bladder and its sphincter is observed. In most cases, this is manifested by interruption of the urine stream during urination, frequent release of urine in small portions, up to complete absence of urination. Injuries to the spine in the lower, post-lumbar segment lead to decreased tone of the bladder, loss of contractile function of its sphincter, and the function of urinary continence suffers. The dog has no urge to urinate and develops urinary incontinence due to bladder overflow.

In both cases, a paralyzed dog is often unable to completely empty its bladder. As a result, urine residues stagnate in the bladder, providing an excellent breeding ground for microorganisms that cause the development of inflammatory complications in the bladder and upper urinary tract - cystitis, urethritis and urolithiasis. If untreated, the infectious process can retrogradely, that is, rising up the ureters, spread to the kidneys, which will entail very big problems.

To avoid this, it is necessary to periodically do a general clinical analysis of your dog’s urine in the laboratory, and if cystitis is suspected, conduct a bacteriological examination of the urine. Some owners can tell if an infection is present by changes in the color and odor of the urine. If you notice any abnormalities, notify your veterinarian. The doctor will give you the necessary recommendations regarding your specific animal. Cystitis is usually fairly easy to treat with antibiotic therapy.

It is recommended to remove residual urine from the bladder by squeezing through the abdominal wall, provided that the dog does not have a clinical picture of urolithiasis. This should be done at least 3 times a day. The veterinary clinic staff will show you how to do this. If the first two weeks after an injury, loss of support on the pelvic limbs, the bladder is allowed to overflow, its walls will very quickly stretch out and become flabby, losing the ability to contract. And with regular, complete emptying, after about two weeks the bladder becomes “automatic” and, when full, will empty itself until neurological functionality is restored.

Uroliths: types and characteristics

With urolithiasis, dogs can develop different types of stones. They differ in composition, degree of prevalence in specific breeds of pets, as well as the risk of occurrence and potential danger to the health of the animal.

In difficult situations, a dog is diagnosed with a mixed type of uroliths or the presence of several types of stones is established.

Specialists at a veterinary clinic in Moscow draw your attention to the main types of uroliths:

• Struvite.

The base is ammonium salts of magnesium phosphate. Most often found in pets, regardless of breed and age. The main factor in their formation is the alkaline pH of urine in combination with pathogenic microflora. They are difficult to respond to drug (conservative) treatment.

• Oxalates.

Their presence is most often diagnosed in males aged 6 to 7.5 years. Their characteristic features: increased hardness, rapid increase in size and branching. Practically not amenable to drug dissolution. They are dangerous for dogs because they have sharp edges and can injure soft tissues.

• Urats.

It is based on ammonium urates (uric acid salts). They are mainly found in dogs between 1 and 4 years of age. In 8 out of 10 cases, the cause of their appearance is genetic disorders (for example, metabolic disorders). They arise as a result of alkalinization of urine and are characterized by an accelerated increase in size.

• Cystines.

The rarest type of uroliths, diagnosed in only 5% of cases. They are formed when there is an excess of solid minerals in the urine.

Forms and symptoms of urolithiasis

The main danger of urolithiasis is an asymptomatic course. It is almost impossible to identify it in the initial stages without contacting a veterinarian. That is why it is necessary to undergo regular preventive examinations by a veterinarian. It will allow timely diagnosis of the disease and initiation of treatment.

The main symptom is difficulty urinating. When the urinary canals are clogged or inflammation develops in them, urine begins to be released in drops, and in some cases is absent altogether. The pet's behavior changes: it becomes restless and whines in pain. However, specific symptoms and the degree of their manifestation depend on the stage of ICD.

Mild form of ICD . There are practically no obvious signs, so the disease can be diagnosed by urine analysis (change in pH). The symptoms that develop in this case are of a general nature, so owners often attribute them to simple malaise.

Signs:

• increased frequency of urination,
• the appearance of drops of blood in the urine,
• prolonged emptying,
• painful sensations,
• increased licking of the urogenital area,
• unnatural postures when urinating.

Severe form of ICD . The main symptom is a lack of control over the urination process. A dog may defecate at home without having free access to the street. Urine is released in small portions. When palpating this area, it is noticeable that the bladder is tense.

Signs:

• severe pain when urinating,
• depressed state
• weakness and apathy,
• blood in urine
• increased thirst (polydipsia),
• appetite disorders and weight loss,
• increased body temperature caused by inflammatory processes.

A particularly severe form of ICD . They pose a threat to the health and life of your pet. The main symptom of this form is the absence of urination, which can persist for up to 2-3 or more days (anuria). This condition is fatal without professional veterinary care.

Signs:

• specific ammonia odor from the mouth,
• vomit,
• dehydration,
• decrease in body temperature,
• lack of response to external irritating factors,
• exhaustion of the body,
• tonic convulsions.

Lack of treatment for a particularly severe form of urolithiasis leads to the development of coma in the dog, and then death.

Bladder atony in dogs

Content

1. Characteristic symptomatic signs
2. Possible reasons
3. Diagnostics
4. Treatment

Bladder atony in dogs is a weakening of the tone of the bladder walls.
This pathology leads to a deterioration in contractility and overextension. In this case, the bladder increases significantly in size, its wall is tense, and urine stagnation is observed. If the bladder is significantly full, involuntary dribbling or leakage of urine may occur. One of the most basic symptoms of bladder atony in dogs is urinary incontinence. The degree of reduction in bladder muscle contractility is characterized by the volume and frequency of urine discharge. Sometimes it is released drop by drop during the day, and sometimes it comes out in large volumes when the animal moves or in stressful situations. When the bladder is full, another characteristic sign of atony is the absence of the urge to urinate. When an animal tries to empty itself on its own, urine may come out in a weak stream or not at all.

Characteristic symptomatic signs

- upon palpation of the bladder, strong tension in its walls is noted;

- if you try to press on the abdominal wall, you can cause mechanical emptying of the bladder;

- urine comes out drop by drop or in a small stream;

- when palpating the abdominal wall, the animal expresses anxiety;

- urinary incontinence;

- discharge from the urinary tract of a bloody, purulent, mucous nature with a specific odor, associated with infectious or other inflammatory processes;

Possible reasons

Spinal diseases disrupt the innervation of the bladder by compressing the nerve roots, resulting in a lack of adequate bladder control.

Pathologies that can cause compression:

• discopathy of various origins
• lumbosacral syndrome
• fractures, injuries of the spinal column or hip joint
• neoplasms of the vertebral bodies and spinal cord
• congenital malformations

Pathologies that can cause disruption of innervation, but do not cause compression on the spinal cord:

• various neuropathies
• diseases of the midbrain (cause disruption of communication between the muscles of the bladder and urethra).

Other reasons:

• blockage of the urethra (bladder neoplasms, blockage due to the discovery of stones in the urinary tract)
• inflammatory diseases of the bladder
• disruption of the antidiuretic hormone (produced in the hypothalamus).

Diagnostics

• palpation examination of the abdominal wall, history taking
• detailed neurological examination to identify the location of the primary problem, the degree of neurological deficit is determined
• if necessary, catheterization of the bladder is performed, thus it is still possible to assess the patency of the urethra
• laboratory diagnostics (general clinical and biochemical blood tests), general urine test
• Ultrasound diagnostics of the abdominal cavity and, in particular, the genitourinary system
• To identify damage to the musculoskeletal system, spinal cord or brain, the patient is sent for X-rays, computed tomography and MRI diagnostics.

Treatment

Treatment of bladder atony in dogs consists of eliminating the root cause that led to the development of the pathology. Thus, if problems associated with spinal cord compression are detected, surgical intervention is indicated. If the prostate gland is enlarged, castration is indicated. If a malignant process in the prostate gland is suspected, a biopsy of the pathological area of ​​the organ is taken and the data is sent for histological examination.

For uremic syndrome and electrolyte disturbances, infusion therapy in a hospital setting is indicated.
If there is an infectious process, it is necessary to do a bacteriological culture and prescribe antibiotics. The article was prepared by V.L. Slukova,
veterinary therapist at MEDVET © 2021 SEC MEDVET

Diagnosis of the disease

Do you suspect that your dog is sick? We strongly do not recommend self-medication! The best solution is to seek help from a veterinarian. Only a veterinarian can diagnose urolithiasis and prescribe effective treatment that does not threaten the health and life of your pet.

Methods for diagnosing ICD:

• collecting urine for analysis,
• Ultrasound of the urogenital area,
• X-ray examination.

The veterinarian not only diagnoses the disease, but also determines the location of the stones. They can be located in the kidneys (and postrenal renal failure often develops), ureters, bladder or urethra.

Recovery period from paresis

The recovery period is a complex process that involves, first of all, exercises that will allow the pet to at least move its limbs with partial compression and release of its paws. However, this does not mean at all that it is time to start running. The process of even walking after paralysis in dogs will require a lot of patience and physical effort.

Daily short-term training for 5-15 minutes with restrictions on the dog’s ability. At the same time, it is worth strengthening the dog’s diet by diversifying it with calcium. Recovery also involves moral support: please the dog with a loyal attitude, stroke its belly, play with it to the best of its ability. It is important to understand that learning to walk again is not so easy, and you are the only chance for this.

Based on practice, rehabilitation of psychomotor functions (the ability to walk) occurs quickly, however, first you should support a pet that will stumble and refuse to walk. Of course, when your pet weighs 30 kg or more, you have a certain risk of “straining yourself” during regular training with your four-legged dog.

As specialized equipment for dog sports equipment, you can use a dog carrier or cart. Such a cart is based on the size of the dog itself, so that he can work independently with his paws. Regarding special devices for dogs during the rehabilitation period, little can be said. An ordinary pet store does not sell such goods, due to problems with choosing the volume of the device itself, as well as high prices.

In this case, you can use your wits and try to solve the problem yourself, say, using a standard sports bag from the store and scissors. How? Using scissors, we cut everything to the shape, leaving the sides, handles and fasteners from the bag, if necessary, add elastic bands. That's it, the carrier is ready.

Treatment of pathology: medication and surgery

Treatment of urolithiasis in dogs is based on an integrated approach. Urine must be removed using catheterization. This helps relieve pain and discomfort in dogs, as well as prepare them for further therapy.

The consequences of blockage of the urinary tract (convulsions, fever, etc.) are eliminated with the help of medications of various effects:

• antispasmodics,
• painkillers,
• anti-inflammatory,
• antibiotics,
• hemostatics, etc.

Drug (conservative) treatment . After eliminating the most severe symptoms, long-term therapy is required. The treatment regimen is determined by the type of uroliths detected. The veterinarian’s task at this stage is to dissolve and remove stones from the pet’s body, preventing their re-formation.

To achieve this result, a course of special medications is prescribed that change the chemical composition of urine and stimulate increased urination. Additionally, a diet is prescribed, which must be followed not only during therapy, but also after its completion.

This is due to the fact that urolithiasis constantly recurs (in the presence of provoking factors: poor nutrition, lack of a specific drinking regime, etc.).

Other methods of medicinal (conservative) treatment: physiotherapy (pulsed magnetic therapy promotes the outflow of urine, reduces inflammation and pain), as well as manual massage.

Surgical (operative) treatment . Surgery is prescribed if drug therapy is ineffective. In this case, various surgical methods are used, which are determined taking into account the size of the detected stones, their number and type.

Types of operations:

• Urethrostomy . It involves removing uroliths through a stoma (an opening in the urinary canal). Once patency has been restored, the stoma remains open until the pet’s condition is completely stabilized;
• Cystotomy . It is aimed at opening the bladder and further removing stones. This is a traumatic treatment option, so it is prescribed by the surgeon only in a situation where it is impossible to get rid of uroliths by other means;
• Retrograde urohydropulsion . It involves pushing the stones that closed the urethral cavity into the bladder. This is the safest method of surgical treatment of urolithiasis, especially recommended for male dogs.

During rehabilitation after drug or surgical treatment, maintenance therapy is necessary. Its main task is to restore the pet to its normal state. For these purposes, infusion therapy is used: with the help of droppers, it is possible to restore the volume of fluid in the dog’s body.

Recovery is monitored by a veterinarian to prevent possible complications. Dynamic studies (blood and urine tests) are carried out on a regular basis. Prevention is of particular importance to avoid relapse.

More about dog marks

Continuing the topic of dog marking, here is some more interesting data obtained by Patricia Young and colleagues at the Georgia Institute of Technology, who decided to measure urinary parameters that are not so easy to measure. The topic of their research is: “Hydrodynamics of urination: drip or stream”; it was highlighted at the American Physical Society's Annual Fluid Dynamics Conference in late November 2013.

Using high-speed video and flow measurements, they examined urination styles in a variety of animals, from dribble in small mammals to stream in large mammals. They measured the length of the urethra, the effect of gravity and the number of seconds it took to empty the bladder.

The authors of the work spent a lot of time studying video recordings of relevant content and comparing the results of observations with data on the structure of the urinary system in different species of mammals. As a result, they were able to derive a general “urination equation”, in which gravity played an important role.

According to scientists, in an elephant, whose urethra reaches 10 cm in diameter and 1 m in length, urine is accelerated by gravity as it moves through this tube, and this allows the animal to empty its bowels in the same time as a dog.

Medium-sized mammals like dogs and goats cannot rely on the accelerating force of gravity, so their urine flow is not as rapid. But, on the other hand, such animals have a smaller bladder, so in the overall standings they finish in the same time as elephants.

The time of urination does not depend on the size of the animal and the volume of its bladder. Almost all mammals spend 21 seconds on this. Source

Some dogs urinate in a stream (usually females and young animals), while others urinate in drops so that there is enough for a larger number of marks, and the urination positions are more than varied. In a recent study, Virant and McGuire (2004) found that female Jack Russell Terriers used a range of postures for urination, including squatting (the most common), crouching, arching, combination, and even front paw stand. They found that bitches "used squatting and arching more often when they were in an area away from the house than when they were close to the house."

In general, dogs have a fairly large range of options for postures for urination. Another study reported 8 positions in females and only 4 in males.

Regarding male dogs and their urination characteristics, animal psychologist Sofya Baskina recently analyzed a wonderful video with a pug demonstrating the wonders of acrobatics. In an attempt to make their mark higher, some small dogs resort to similar tricks.

“Rising on the front legs is not the norm, but it’s also okay (from a behavioral point of view). The pug is no longer a wolf, and would lose in competition in the wild not at all because of the way it leaves marks, but because of its short nose, excessive bulldog, straightened hocks, bulging, unprotected eyes, etc…. Just so that it doesn’t seem so strange and wonderful to you that a dog gets up on its front legs, and even without coercion or training, I’ll say that for small dogs with a certain body structure this is not at all difficult.”

Links:

• Wirant & McGuire. 2004. Urinary behavior of female domestic dogs (Canis familiaris): influence of reproductive status, location, and age. Applied Animal Behavior Science 85, 335-348.
• Pham et al. 2013. The Hydrodynamics of Urination: to drip or jet. Bulletin of the American Physical Society. 66th Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Fluid Dynamics. Volume 58, Number 18. November 24–26, 2013; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Randall H. Sprague and Joseph J. Anisko (1973) Elimination Patterns in the Laboratory Beagle. Behavior, Vol. 47, No. 3/4 (1973), pp. 257-267

Sources:

• Canine Urination 101: Handstands and Leg Lifts Are Just the Basics
• Biologists: mammals have a single “law of urination”
• Sunny dogs and children, as well as deer and pissing pugs in the new episode of video diagnostics

See also:

• Is this dog really happy?
• Old dogs and new research
• How to evaluate a dog's intelligence?
• How did a T. rex make your dog colorblind?
• Key Canine Genetic Innovation: Diet
• When the nose doesn't know: how health, living conditions, training and microbiota affect a dog's sense of smell
• The sad truth about dogs and depression
• Possibilities and limitations of genetic testing in dogs
• How does your dog's nose know so much?
• New data on merle genotypes and phenotypes in dogs

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Diet for urolithiasis and food selection

Complex therapy of the disease includes a special diet for urolithiasis. Be sure to follow your veterinarian's recommendations when making dietary adjustments as they will depend on the type of stones present.

Dietary nutrition includes a reduction in:

• squirrel,
• calcium,
• phosphorus.

Use special medicated feeds that effectively dissolve uroliths. They are characterized by a reduced magnesium content, therefore they prevent the appearance of new pathological formations in the animal’s urinary system.

Prevention of urolithiasis in dogs

To prevent relapse and development of urolithiasis in healthy pets, it is necessary to eliminate factors that provoke metabolic disorders. Provide your pet with access to fresh water. In the summer, give him water even while walking.

Other measures:

• normalize your diet,
• do not overfeed the animal,
• provide him with optimal physical activity,
• undergo preventive examinations in a timely manner,
• do not self-medicate.

Effective prevention of urolithiasis, timely diagnosis and proper treatment is the key to a long and healthy life for your pet!