Dog UTI symptoms gone. Is an X-ray for bladder stones still needed?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

• Answered By Lauren Jones VMD

  Veterinarian

  Published on December 14th, 2021

  I'm glad to hear that Romeo's UTI cleared up! In some (but certainly not all) dogs with bladder stones, crystals may be seen microscopically with a urinalysis. However, for some dogs with bladder stones, crystals don't pass through the urine and only form around bladder stones. Male dogs uncommonly get UTIs, so given Romeo's recent history, it sounds as though it's worth asking your vet about taking x-rays of his bladder to rule out the possibility of bladder stones. The most common types of bladder stones (struvite and calcium oxalate) are visible with x-rays. I hope that everything goes well!

  

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• Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on June 15th, 2019

  I am very sorry to hear about your dog. The X-ray is slightly pixelated on our side so difficult to fully interpret but it looks like there are stones in the bladder and probably also the urethra (tiny tube that connects bladder to the outside). The stones in the urethra were likely causing blockage leading to inability to urinate. Sometimes we can pass a urinary catheter to relieve the blockage temporarily by pushing the stones back into the bladder, where they can be removed surgically, and the catheter can allow urination until that time. In some cases however the stones will not allow passage of the catheter in which case surgery may be much more complicated. I cannot speak to the circumstances in your dog or the hospital capabilities. I would recommend making an appointment to talk to the vet about what happened to have closure. I am sorry for your loss.

  

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