As in humans, these stones and crystals can form anywhere in the urinary tract of the dog, including the kidney, urethra, or most commonly, the bladder. These crystals or stones irritate the lining of the urinary tract, causing changes in the lining, blood in the urine, and often pain. In some cases the crystals or stones will block or partially block the flow of urine, making urination painful or impossible. If your pet has any of these symptoms, you should contact your veterinarian immediately. In some cases without appropriate diagnosis and treatment, your dog could face a life threatening situation.
Stones can block the urine flow, prevent elimination of poisonous wastes and cause death.
It is important to know that not every dog with canine urolithiasis exhibits all of these symptoms. Your veterinarian may use some terms in describing urolithiasis with which you are not familiar. These terms include cystitis, crystaluria, urolith, and urethral obstructions. Cystitis is an inflammation of the urinary bladder. This condition occurs because of a bacterial or possibly a viral infection which results from the irritation caused by crystals and stones in the bladder.