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Ureterolithiasis in Dogs 

Ureterolithiasis is a condition involving the formation of stones that may lodge into and block a dog's ureter, the muscular tube that connects the kidney to the bladder and carries urine from kidneys to the bladder. Typically, the stones originate in the kidneys and pass down into the ureter.

Depending on the size and shape of the stone, the stone may pass down to the bladder without any resistance or it may partially or completely obstruct the ureter, resulting in the dilatation of the upper portion of the ureter and subsequent kidney damage.

There are a number of different types of stones found in animals and type of stone may vary in according to breeds, age, and sex of the dog.

Symptoms and Types

Some dogs with ureterolithiasis display no symptoms, especially during the initial stages. Otherwise, be attentive to the following symptoms:

• Pain
• Kidney failure
• Enlargement or shrinkage of the kidney
• Accumulation of waste products like urea
• Rupture of ureter, resulting in urine accumulation in the abdomen

Causes

The underlying cause may vary depending on the type of the stone. Typical causes include:

• Genetic factors
• Urinary tract infections
• Adverse drug reaction
• Cancer
• Diet and/or supplements
• Surgery that has lead to the narrowing or scarring of the ureter

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will conduct a complete medical history and perform a physical examination on your dog. He or she will then use routine laboratory tests including complete blood count, biochemistry profile, electrolyte panel, and urinalysis to assess the condition of your dog and severity of the disease. These tests also help in evaluating your pet for any other concurrent disease or condition.

Abdominal X-rays are extremely useful in visualizing the stones and their size; it will also confirm if the kidney has become enlarged as a result of the stones. Similarly, X-rays will depict if the ureter is intact or ruptured. In some cases, a special dye is injected intravenously and X-rays are taken afterward. This helps better visualize the stones by providing contrast. Ultrasound scans is another method for detecting ureter stones and kidney size.