I read that they need to be under a certain size and whatever Buster has they're huge. It also said that they need to be under general anesthesia longer than if they had surgery to remove them, I don't like that idea. I'll talk about it with the vet though just to see his take although I'm sure he'll be against it.

My dad had that procedure done as well and they thought they got them all and then later on they figured out they didn't and he had to have surgery anyway.

I didn't know they offered it for dogs. It was certainly the way to go for me. Way better than an operation. I didn't even have any bruising.

Why do you feel he isn't a good candidate? Is it the type of stones?


I don't rescue animals because I want to feel better about myself, or morally superior to anyone. The best part of my life with animals is the humility they teach and the humanity the foster.
Jon Katz "Soul of a Dog"

I was just reading about lithotripsy. It seems they do offer it but not in a lot of places and it doesn't sound like it would be a good fit for Buster but I'll ask about it if that's what he has.

Her urine had crystals and an elevated white count. Vet put her on antibiotics for two weeks. Infection gone, but crystals still there. We did an xray and fortunately for Belle, there were no stones. She is on Hill's c/d for 2 weeks and then we do another check.

If Belle had stones she would have had surgery to remove them. I suppose that's where you are.

I had kidney stones and they hurt! I had lithotripsy (machine breaks up the stones and they pass.) Wonder if they offer it for dogs.


I don't rescue animals because I want to feel better about myself, or morally superior to anyone. The best part of my life with animals is the humility they teach and the humanity the foster.
Jon Katz "Soul of a Dog"

I'm in CT, some snow sometimes but he pees so much that I keep pee pads out for him all the time, that's how I found the blood in the first place. That's a good tip, I'll try it when he's outside because he doesn't bleed all the time.

go back and read my paragraph about the coffee filters. I forgot to put it in my initial post




Sue

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I guess I'll wait to hear what he has for sure and then I'll post again. I understand he'll need surgery if it's stones I guess I'm concerned that it's a tumor and not stones. Buster does pee a lot and it's good to know Sumo bounced back quickly. I was afraid Buster was old for surgery but my vet said not to worry about that at all.

Thanks again.

my Sumo had calcium-oxalate stones. He had surgery at 6 yrs old to remove them. Horrible, jagged stones that were cutting his bladder. Most stones require surgery to remove them and fairly quickly or you risk the stones lodging in the urethra, not to mention the pain it causes the dog and the pee accidents because they constantly feel pressure. Sumo bounced back around day three post op and did very well. There are many types of stones. My vet knew which type just by the x-rays, however, once they are removed they need to be sent out for a firm diagnosis.

Special diets are usually needed depending on which type and there is no 100% guarantee that whatever you do, they won't reform. Sumo's came back 2 1/2 yrs later and another surgery was needed, despite my home cooking and following what my friends on the K9 kidney diet board told me to do. All you can do is the best you can and hope they either don't come back or take a long time reforming.

I wouldn't get all nervous until you know for sure but if surgery is required, it needs to be done and then once you find out which type, take it from there with your vet and discuss food options, meds, etc.

Should you need to, I can direct you to the yahoo group that helped me and where I have sent many bulldoggers who's dog's had stones. Leslie Bean, one of the moderators and the inventor of FuzzerFood is a wealth of help and info as is Lisa Edwards Filu, the other moderator.

Don't know where you live but if you don't have snow and want to keep a close watch on the color of his output, the best way to check urine for blood is to take a coffee filter out and stick it underneath the stream. That way you can see what color the urine is.

Good luck and keep us posted.




Sue

All photos are my property and cannot be used without permission !!

http://www.youtube.com/bulliemommy

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bulliemommy/