posted by Tess on Jul 7
Bladder stones are fairly common in domestic pets and are linked with urinary tract infection in dogs and urinary tract infection in cats. Besides urinary infection in dogs, changes in the pH balance, over saturation of urine with crystals and water re-absorption by the kidney tubules are the other major causes behind the formation of bladder stones.
Diet, decreased water intake and frequency of urination and genetics are some of the factors that contribute to the formation of bladder stones.
Concentration and pH balance play an important role in the type of stone that is formed. Calcium oxalate and urate stones are formed when the urine is acidic to neutral. Struvite stones are generally formed in neutral to alkaline pH environments.
Cystine stones, calcium phosphate stones and silicate stones, on the other hand, although dependent upon pH of the urine are more breed specific and are caused due to a defect in renal tubules.
The extent of urea in the body is another factor that plays a significant role in the formation of calcium crystals that ultimately result in bladder stones.
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