Canine Urethral Calculi and Human Calculus Medicine

It is not appropriate to give dogs human calculus medicine. Firstly, it is difficult to accurately control the dosage of human medicines when administered to animals, as the specifications and dosage forms are not easily adaptable. This can lead to drug overdose or insufficient drug concentration, rendering the medicine ineffective. Additionally, some ingredients in human medicines can cause poisoning in dogs. Therefore, for the health and early recovery of your dog, it is recommended to use medicine under the guidance of an animal doctor.

Causes of Urethral Calculi

The main causes of canine urethral calculi are related to diet: dogs don't like to drink water and have a high salt intake; they are prone to urinary tract infections, which can cause inflammation and bacterial deposits to accumulate and crystallize in the urine; endogenous mineral metabolic disorders and changes in urine pH can also lead to the formation of urethral calculi in dogs.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Calculi

Diagnosis of calculi in dogs: Ultrasound and X-ray can be used to confirm whether a dog has calculi. If a dog has calculi, the first step is to perform a urinary catheterization to see if the stones can be flushed out. Then, the dog should be given antibiotics and lithotripsy medications. If physical therapy fails, surgical removal of the stones from the bladder is the only option.

Preventing Calculi through Diet

Calculi formation occurs when urine in the bladder is in a super saturated state, and the ingestion of inorganic salts and organic compounds causes crystal precipitation. If excessive salt intake is not controlled, crystals will gradually form into calculi. Therefore, preventing calculi can be achieved by drinking more water, reducing salt intake, and controlling the amounts of protein, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium in the diet. Purchasing commercial foods for prevention, such as prescription diets for urinary tract health, is a good option.