Calcium Oxalate Stones in Dogs and Cats

Herbal nutrition to help address common reasons for calcium oxalate stone formation in dogs and cats. 

When the kidneys, bladder and liver are under duress, nutritional support is required to help rehabilitate the kidneys and related tissues toward proper function. Attention must also be given to the related body systems, including the cardiovascular system and autonomic nervous system.

Eighty-five percent of stones are formed in a dog or cats bladder, but they can also be found in the entire urinary tract. The kidneys, ureters (the small tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder) and urethra (the tube from the bladder to the outside of the animal) can all develop stones, crystal, gravel, grains or calculi.

The most common type of stone includes calcium oxalate bladder stones. These stones are found disproportionately in certain breeds of dogs and cats and is likely the result of a hereditary condition. Some animals lack nephrocalcin, a calcium-binding glycoprotein, which inhibits the development of calcium oxalate crystals in the urinary tract, and as a result, may endure chronic stone and/or bladder infection cycles throughout their lifetime.  

Animals with Cushing's disease and diabetes are also predisposed to calcium oxalate bladder stone formation, due to elevated calcium levels in their urine.

Common symptoms related to calcium stones: 

Frequent urination with small quantities

Urinating in inappropriate places (outside litter box, on a rug, etc)

Bloody urine

Discomfort (pain, whimpering) while urinating

Straining while urinating

"Dribbling urine" (may be related to artial blockage of the urethra)

If there is a a complete blockage of the urethra, your dog or cat will be unable to urinate at all. This is a medical emergency. 

Common causes of calcium oxlalate stones: 

Diet: Diets that are high in protein and certain minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, may increase the likelihood of bladder stone formation. Diets (related to most commercial, grocery and big box chain diets) that contain inferior grains, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, sugars and other chemicals may contribute to stone formation.  

Age: Older dogs and cats are more prone to develop bladder stones.

Genetics:

Nephrocalcin function: Nephrocalcin is a calcium-binding glycoprotein which inhibits the development of calcium oxalate crystals in the urinary tract. Dogs and cats who lack adequate nephrocalin function may endure chronic stone and/or bladder infection cycles throughout their lifetime.  For this condition, please see Bionic Body

Defective bladder tissue: The bladder contains a layer of mucus called composed of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) that help protect the delicate cells of the bladder wall. Because dogs and cats have highly acidic urine and many other concentrations that would otherwise irritate bladder tissues, GAG's keep harmful substances controlled. For some dogs and cat's the GAG layer may be defective and bladder irritations and ulcerations may develop. 

Neurogenic inflammation: Emerging evidence now confirms holistic medicine in the links between inflammation in the Nervous System and stress to bladder and stone issues. Since the Central Nervous System monitors acidity in the blood, CNS inflammation, combined with stress, may have a direct impact on bladder health and conditions. a stress a neurogenic (endocrine) response 

Some breeds are more susceptible to bladder stone formation than others. Small dogs, such as the Pug, Pekingese, Yorkshire terrier, Beagle, Dachshund, Welsh Corgi, Miniature Schnauzer, Bulldog, and Cocker Spaniel, represent the most likely group to suffer chronic bladder stone formation. Dalmations tend to form uric acid bladder stones.

Exposure to Cadmium: Studies have found that cadmium exposure increases the risk of formation of bladder stones in dogs. For domestic pets such as dogs and cats, cigarette smoke is the most common source of cadmium exposure.

Bacterial Infections: Bacterial infections of the bladder can also lead to the formation of struvite bladder stones. Once a bladder infection occurs, the likelihood your pet will suffer a recurring bladder infection is over 80%.

Lack of Exercise: Dogs and cats that don't get adequate exercise or don't get to eliminate wastes several times a day are also prone to develop bladder stones.

Water: The amount of chemicals and additives in tap water may contribute to stone and bladder and kidney infections. Ensure that your pet always has plenty of fresh, filtered water. It is especially important that your pet drink more when infection or stones present to flush out toxins out of the body.

Other helpful suggestions:

If your pet does not drink a lot of water, encourage your pet to drink more. You can add water to dry food, use a drinking fountain and some pets enjoy natural, holistic water flavoring.  

If your pet stays indoors, make sure your pet has access for bathroom breaks every few hours. The pain and need to urinate associated with bladder and kidney infections and stones increases the frequency to eliminate. 

Boost your pet’s immune health with immune system supplements. 

Feed your pet a premium, holistic diet (organic, truly natural), raw, home cooked diet, dehydrated or hybrid diet.

If you do feed your pet commercial, processed foods purchased in grocery, big box chains or warehouse clubs, consider UPGRADING YOUR FOOD.

Walk your dog at least twice a day to increase the frequency of urination

If have an indoor cat, ensure that the litter box is cleaned daily and accessible. You should have at least 1 litter box per cat in your household.

Organic Nutrition - (listed in order of relevance and recommendation by holistic vets for this disease or condition - human grade meets highest safety criteria for pets)

Herbal remedies have proven to be highly effective in the holistic treatment of all types of stones including bladder inflammation and infections and other urinary related problems, for its antilithic stone breaking plant actions as well as its anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, antiseptic and plant based steroid plant actions which may help address not only stone elimination but urinary tract inflammation and infection; to help reduce pain and discomfort associated with infections and stones; for its adaptogen content which may help correct cellular irregularity related to chronic bladder and kidney stone formation and chronic bladder, kidney and urinary tract inflammation and infections; to help reduce systemic inflammation of the bladder, kidneys and urinary tract, to help strengthen the immune system.

Break It Up – (learn more) helps to eliminate liver, kidney, bladder and gall stones, crystals, grains and gravel (calcium oxalate, struvite, uric acid, cystine, calcium phosphate and silica stones ) with less pain and safely removes them from the body; helps to treat bladder and kidney infections (urinary infections) and diseases, balances and normalizes liver enzyme levels, reduces uric acid and increases urination, for cystitis and prostatitis, infectious hepatitis and leptospirosis, Fatty Liver Disease, (hepatic lipidosis), Feline cholangiohepatitis, Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD), Feline Urological Syndrome (FUS), Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Infection (FIV), Leaky Gut Syndrome, Intestinal Dysbiosis and Intestinal Hypermerability. This product has been proven to be over 90% effective at addressing urinary tract infections, stones, gravel, calculi and crystals in dogs and cats.

Break It Up Meal Topper – (learn more) has been proven to break up to 94% of bladder stones, crystals, calculi and gravel within 2 weeks of use; may help address all types of stones, including liver, kidney, bladder and gall stones, gravel, crystals, grains and calculi, including calcium oxalate, struvite, uric acid, cystine, calcium phosphate and silica stones; adaptogen content may help work preventatively against future stone formation and urinary tract infection by helping to identify and nutritionally address cellular imbalances related to stone and infection cycles; adaptogen content may help address urinary tract infections, including chronic UTI’s by nutritionally helping identify and correct cellular imbalances and infection cycles; may help reduce the amount of cortisol and calcium produced in the urine and helps normalize pH levels in the animal body, which may be beneficial for dogs and cats suffering from chronic and episodic upper urinary tract and bladder infections and kidney infections; may help normalize liver enzyme levels, helps reduce uric acid, helps acidify urine and helps increase urination and may provide relief from prostatitis.

Tinkle Tonic – (learn more) helpds address prostate disorders, supports urinary tract and prostate health and reduces prostrate symptoms including Prostatitis and Benign Hyperplasia Prostate disease (BHP), promotes prostate gland health, a healthy bladder, urinary tract and bowel movements, reduces swollen and enlarged prostrate glands, promotes strong and healthy urine flow, relieves pain, discomfort and difficulty when urinating; for incomplete urination, increased frequency of urination or reduction in the volume of urine, relieves painful and strained defecation, increases circulation and strengthens the immune system; for urinary incontinence and weakened bladders.

Stix & Stones – (learn more) promotes improved kidney function, helps to break up kidney, liver, gallbladder and bladder stones and gravel (active stones, crystals and as a preventative); helps to safely remove stones from the body; helps to treat urinary tract infections (bladder and kidney infections; for kidney and liver disease; tones and balances kidney, liver, intestine, pancreas, gall bladder function and health; reduces uric acid levels in urine; increases urination, blocks the formation of calcium crystals such as calcium oxalate and prevents them from entering kidney and bladder cells, provides pH modulation (urine pH balance); for urinary system disorders and pathologies and for hepatic insufficiency. This product has been proven to be over 90% effective at addressing urinary tract infections, and all types of stones, gravel, calculi and crystals in dogs and cats.

Stone Breaker Starter Pack – (learn more) helps to break up and helps eliminate liver, kidney, bladder and gall stones, crystals, grains and gravel (calcium oxalate, struvite, uric acid, cystine, calcium phosphate and silica stones ) with less pain and safely removes them from the body; helps to treat bladder and kidney infections (urinary infections) and diseases, balances and normalizes liver enzyme levels, reduces uric acid and increases urination, for cystitis and prostatitis, infectious hepatitis and leptospirosis, Fatty Liver Disease, (hepatic lipidosis), Feline cholangiohepatitis, Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD), Feline Urological Syndrome (FUS), Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Infection (FIV), Leaky Gut Syndrome, Intestinal Dysbiosis and Intestinal Hypermerability. This product has been proven to be 90% effective at addressing urinary tract infections, stones, gravel, calculi and crystals in dogs and cats.

Conventional Remedies:

Depending on the type, size, number, and location of the stones, treatment may differ. If stones are in the urethra or the ureters, surgery may be required to address or prevent urinary obstructions, which can shut down the kidneys and be life threatening.

If your pet has bladder stones, and they are struvite stones, supplements and diet may be sufficient. Your vet may recommend a a diet low in calcium, magnesium and protein, along with dissolving agents. Dissolving agents such as natural supplements can help break down stones, allowing them to pass through your pet's system.

For pets with uric acid stones, a diet that is low in purines may be recommended. Purines are primarily related to animal proteins and are metabolized into uric acid in the body. Some examples of prurines include organ meats (i.e.  liver, kidneys), seafood, and legumes.

Calcium oxalate stones are the most difficult to address. Depending on size and location, surgery may be required. Supplements can help address calcium oxalate stones and can help prevent recurrence.

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