Urinary stones

Bladder stones are common, and the type decides the treatment. Of more than 10,000 canine stones analysed at one laboratory, nearly half contained calcium oxalate and over 40 percent struvite¹. Struvite stones usually follow a urinary infection and can be dissolved with diet and antibiotics; calcium oxalate stones cannot be dissolved and often recur². Small breeds carry most of the calcium oxalate risk, among them the Miniature Schnauzer, Chihuahua, Bichon Frise, Yorkshire Terrier, Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, Pomeranian and Maltese; Bichons, Miniature Schnauzers, Pekingese, Pugs and Shih Tzus were also at higher risk of struvite¹. Dalmatians form urate stones because of an inherited difference in how they handle uric acid²³.

Signs are straining, frequent small urinations, blood in the urine, and accidents in a dog that was house trained. A male dog straining and passing nothing may be blocked; that is an emergency.

The ACVIM consensus favours dissolving struvite stones medically and removing stones that cause signs by the least invasive method available⁴. Prevention afterwards means a diet chosen for the stone type, plenty of water and periodic urine checks.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Your vet knows your dog.

Sources

1. Urolithiasis in dogs: Evaluation of trends in urolith composition and risk factors (2006-2018) (Kopecny L et al.). Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 35(3):1406-1415, 2021 (peer reviewed). Accessed 2026-09-22.
2. Urolithiasis in Dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual. Accessed 2026-09-22.
3. Canine urate urolithiasis. Etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, and management (Bartges JW et al.). Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice 29(1):161-191, 1999 (peer reviewed). Accessed 2026-09-22.
4. ACVIM Small Animal Consensus Recommendations on the Treatment and Prevention of Uroliths in Dogs and Cats (Lulich JP et al.). American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 30(5):1564-1574, 2016. Accessed 2026-09-22.