Pets suffer from many health complications, including those that humans often have. Kidney stones are one of those risk factors. It can be difficult to spot symptoms of kidney stones in dogs, but as a loving pet owner, you will want to take steps to do so whenever possible. The more you know about this condition, the better the steps you can take to reduce your pet’s health risks.

What Is Nephrolithiasis?

Kidney stones, a condition formally known as nephrolithiasis, develop in the kidneys or the urinary tract of the pet. These stones can cause serious health complications to the pet. Some pets are more likely to suffer from this condition than others are, include Lhasa Apsos, miniature poodles, and other dogs.

What Are the Symptoms?

The symptoms of kidney stones in dogs are not often evident. In fact, most dogs have no external symptoms at all. In some cases, the pet can experience the following symptoms.

• Painful urination
• Difficulty with urination
• Vomiting
• Recurrent urinary tract infections
• Urination in very small amounts, but frequently

In some cases, the dog will have areas that are tender when the pet owner touches them. The most common diagnosis of kidney stones in animals occurs when the doctor is looking for other illnesses and discovers them. For example, a doctor may examine a bone from breakage, x-ray it, and locate the kidney stones as a result.

Keep in mind that not all kidney stones are a problem. In fact, they can often be inactive. This means there is no active infection present. These do not get any larger and do not cause any type of obstruction. In this case, they may not bother the pet. Inactive kidney stones in dogs are not necessary to operate on and often doctors will not do so.

In all cases, doctors will need to monitor the pet to determine what his or her symptoms are. In some cases, these will require surgical removal for the pet. Any clinical changes you notice in your pet should be presented to your vet for further examination. Even if your pet just seems tense or in pain, report it to the vet.