Cystine Stones In Dogs And Neutering

Urolithiasis is a medical term referring to the presence of crystals or stones in the urinary tract.

Cystine stones in dogs and neutering. When the stones are made up of cystine a normal compound found in the body they are called cystine stones. Cystine uroliths also referred to as calculi are stones within the urinary tract composed of the amino acid cystine a breakdown product of proteins. Cystine bladder stones appear to be the result of a genetic abnormality that prevents a dog from reabsorbing cystine from the kidneys. Your veterinarian may be able to palpate the stones or may need to perform imaging studies such as a bladder ultrasound or a contrast radiographic study.

This is significant as lifelong feeding of a commercial prescription diet or home prepared therapeutic diet is very expensive particularly in large breed dogs. Cystine urolithiasis is most common in male dogs with an average age of onset of three to five years. Dogs affected by cystine stones i am assuming cystine as you didn t specify in your question but more information may be found about other stones on the link below may be given n 2 mercaptopropionyl glycine 2 mpg and a low protein alkalinizing diet to help raise the ph of the urine to prevent further urinary stone formation. While bladder stones in general are somewhat common in dogs cystine bladder stones are rare.

Overview of cystine urolithiasis in dogs. Urolithiasis cystine in dogs.