Our Emergency Animal Hospital Treats
Painful Bladder Stones

Bladder stones not only cause pain and irritation to your pet, they can become an emergency situation when a stone lodges at the opening to the urethra or in the duct that carries urine away from the bladder. Here at the Emergency Animal Hospital of Northwest Austin, an after-hours veterinarian examines your pet and recommends treatment methods if bladder stones are found.

Bladder stones are small accumulations of crystalline materials that precipitate out of the urine in the bladder. Although they usually take time to develop, in some cases bladder stones form within just a few weeks. These sand-grain to small-gravel sized stones irritate the walls of the bladder causing pain and bleeding and have the potential to block the flow of urine. Left untreated, they grow and become more numerous, presenting a serious danger to your beloved pet. Bladder stones may warrant surgical removal, especially if there is a blockage. Another option is a special diet to dissolve the stones, but this requires a longer period of treatment.

Dogs Symptoms of Bladder Stones

The most common dogs' symptoms of bladder stones are blood in the urine (hematuria) and straining while trying to urinate (dysuria). Although, these two symptoms may have other causes, a thorough examination of your pet by our emergency veterinarian using our state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment lets you know with certainty whether your pet has bladder stones. Cat symptoms are similar to dogs' symptoms, and you may additionally notice the cat urinating in unusual places. If you suspect your pet has bladder stones and is exhibiting signs of pain or cannot pass urine at all, this may constitute an emergency situation requiring immediate emergency veterinarian care. Do not wait for your regular vet to open, bring your treasured pet to the caring staff at our emergency animal hospital.

Do you need to know more about bladder stones in cats or dogs? Give our knowledgeable staff a call and get the answers you need.