<p>Yup-- its because its in the GI tract and ends up in… well you know, that it ends up in places it doesn’t belong. Dogs are notorious for snacking on poo…</p>
<p>Igloo, Older, smaller male dogs are also prone to bladder stones. These stones are actually made in the bladder. The big problem with these stones is that they can get stuck in the urethra and block the flow of urine. Obviously, if the dog can not pee that can be life threatening. My 11 yo terrier has had two surgeries in the past two years to have stones removed. His symptoms were bloody urine. Who knew if he had pain…He is now on a very restricted special diet and goes in to vets every 4 months for a quick ultrasound and urine analysis. He is doing great so far.</p>
<p>We have also had issues with “crystals” in our dog’s urine. Now I don’t know if crystals are just very small stones, or what. I’ll have to ask next time.</p>
<p>We have cats & one of them has a hobby of developing crystals in his urine, and getting blocked up–male cats have tiny tubes & these things can block them easily. Then he has to spend the night at the vet and be catheterized to open the way. Pricey, & no fun for the cat.</p>
<p>We have stopped the crystals for years, by doing a couple of things. The vet said acidify his urine and suggested he drink tomato juice. I haven’t seen a cat drink a Bloody Mary so we add half-tsp of tomato paste to his dinner every night. Once we open the can we scoop it into a small plastic tub & it lives in the fridge.</p>
<p>He loves spaghetti sauce/chili now! Thinks it is cat food.</p>
<p>He only gets canned cat food, the kind that says “Special Diet, Urinary Tract Health (Friskies brand).” We add water to it & mix it well, every time we feed him. He is really lapping up his food — but we are diluting his urine by doing this. </p>
<p>He hasn’t blocked up since we began the watery food, tomato paste trick.</p>
<p>Glad to hear the dog is recovering, it’s not fun when the pets are sick!</p>