05/11/2026
Dr. Hannah Langford’s Case of the Month!
Meet Matti, a 3-year-old female spayed Dachshund who came to see us for inappropriate urination. Like many pets with these signs, we started with a urinalysis—and it pointed toward a urinary tract infection (UTI).
After a course of antibiotics, Matti improved… but not completely. She was still squatting and struggling to produce urine—an important clue that something more might be going on.
🔍 Digging Deeper
A repeat urinalysis still showed infection, so we recommended abdominal x-rays. These revealed multiple bladder stones.
🪨 Not All Stones Are the Same
The two most common types of bladder stones in dogs are:
* Struvite stones – often associated with infections and can sometimes be dissolved medically
* Calcium oxalate stones – typically require physical removal
While the only way to confirm stone type is through analysis, Matti’s test results strongly suggested struvite stones.
🍽️ A Non-Surgical Success Story
Because of this, we were able to pursue medical management:
* Urine culture to guide antibiotic therapy
* Prescription urinary diet to help dissolve stones
* Close monitoring with recheck x-rays
📈 The Results
* 1 month: Stones were smaller and actively dissolving
* 2 months: Stones were completely gone! 🎉
Matti is now doing great and back to her normal self!
💡 Takeaway for Pet Owners
If your pet is:
* Urinating frequently
* Straining or squatting without producing urine
* Having accidents in the house
👉 Don’t ignore it—these signs may indicate more than just a simple UTI. Early diagnostics can make a big difference and, in some cases like Matti’s, even help us avoid surgery.
If you ever have concerns about your pet’s urinary health, we’re here to help! 🐶❤️
