07/24/2026
A bladder stone photoshoot to liven up your week! With love, from the Brintnell Vet team 😅 Read on as we dive into the world of urinary health: all you need to know about bladder stones and more!
Pictured: a bladder stone that was surgically removed from one of our female feline patients. This stone was a little over ¼ inch in diameter.
What Are Bladder Stones? They're are rock-like formations that can develop in the bladders of both dogs and cats—and they're more common than you might think! These stones form when minerals in your pet’s urine clump together, creating anything from tiny grains to larger masses that can cause discomfort, trouble with peeing, or blockages (which are a medical emergency!).
How They Form: Bladder stones can form when there’s an imbalance in your pet’s urine. This could be due to their diet, genetics, or certain health conditions. If their urine becomes too concentrated or packed with certain minerals, crystals can start to form, eventually growing into stones.
How We Detect Them: X-rays and ultrasounds are the go-to methods for spotting stones. Sometimes we can even catch them early with a simple urinalysis that shows the presence of crystals.
Treatment Options: If your pet ends up with bladder stones, don’t worry—there are several ways to help them out:
• Diet: Special diets can sometimes dissolve certain types of stones or stop them from getting any bigger.
• Medications: These can help manage symptoms or, in some cases, dissolve the stones.
• Surgery: For more stubborn stones, surgery might be needed, especially if they’re causing a blockage. Dogs are more likely to require surgical intervention than our feline friends. With cats, we can often avoid surgery by dissolving stones with a special diet.
Can We Prevent Them? Yes, we can! Keeping your pet’s diet balanced and incorporating a high-quality canned food, making sure they’re drinking lots of water and regular vet visits are all key. We might even recommend a specific diet if your pet is prone to these pesky stones.
If you notice anything unusual with your pet’s bathroom habits, don’t hesitate to reach out 🐾
