Are Shih Tzu prone to bladder stones?
Struvite uroliths were noted to be more common in female dogs, while calcium oxalate uroliths are more common in male dogs. Breeds most commonly diagnosed with struvite and calcium oxalate bladder stones include Shih Tzu, Miniature Schnauzer, Bichon Frise, Lhasa Apso, and Yorkshire Terrier.
Is bottled water bad for dogs?
What About Bottled Water for Dogs? If you opt to give your dog bottled water, Undesser advises pet parents to look for certified products. “In most cases, that bottled water has used the same membrane that is in all these other products, whether it’s a pitcher, a faucet mount, or reverse osmosis,” she says.
Are there any other options for a Shih Tzu with bladder stones?
There are 2 or 3 types of stones, some can be controlled with diet, some not. It sounds like they are too large now, but they can sometimes be washed out by irrigation with the dog under sedation. Unfortunately, the only other option would be surgery. They may or may not recur.
How often can you let out a dog with a bladder stone?
However, in some dogs the therapy will eliminate bladder stone recurrence, and in others it will at least delay their recurrence. A dog that is let out only once or twice in a 24 hour period to urinate will have more concentrated urine than dogs that are let out more frequently.
How can you tell if your dog has bladder stones?
The common clinical signs of a dog that has bladder stones are very similar to a dog having a bladder infection. They have a need for frequent urination and when they do urinate there is straining. A dog will urinate, walk a few feet, stop, and urinate again.
What did the vet do for Tiffany the Shih Tzu?
Tiffany took her to the veterinarian who immediately took x-rays. She had about 20 visible little stones in her bladder! He anesthetized her, put in a catheter to drain her bladder, and pushed a large stone that was blocking the urethra back up into the bladder. He informed Tiffany that surgery was necessary to remove the stones.
Can a dog with a bladder infection have a bladder stone?
The signs of bladder stones are similar to those of an uncomplicated bladder infection or cystitis. Most dogs that have a bladder infection do not have bladder stones. Therefore,a conclusion of bladder stones is not based only on these common clinical signs. Some bladder stones can be palpated (felt with the fingers) through the abdominal wall.
How old does a Shih Tzu have to be to be spayed?
Don’t worry about age, the vet will ensure that your Shih Tzu isn’t too young to be spayed or neutered. Female Shih Tzus can reproduce as young as four months old, and male Shih Tzus can as of six months.
Do you know the signs of aging a Shih Tzu?
One mistake that Shih Tzus owners make is failing to see the signs of agining in their dogs. By understanding a dog’s aging process and signs to look out for, you will be able to discover health issues earlier so you can seek treatment for your pet, giving him or her the longest, healthiest life possible.
How long does it take for bladder stones to dissolve in dogs?
It is slow. It may take several weeks or a few months to dissolve a large stone, so your dog may continue to have hematuria, dysuria, and recurrent infections during that time. The risk of urethral obstruction remains high during this time. Not all dogs will eat the special diet.