What You Need to Learn About Bladder Stones

Photo: Bob Mills

Types of Bladder Stones

Ever since Gigi was diagnosed with bladder stones, I've been wanting to learn more about these. There are two major types of stones -- struvite and calcium oxalate.The stones in the photo pictured above are the type of stones that Gigi has been fighting. They are called Struvite stones which is an alkaline-based stone. These are the type of stones that can dissolve in type. Struvite is composed of magnesium, phospate and ammonium (which is the main ingredient in ammonia). The bacteria in a dog's bladder will combine with this minerals to form the stones.

As all dogs are different, certain dogs are prone to getting struvite stones.Some of these breeds include: Shih Tzus(Gigi is a Shih Tzu/Poodle mix), Miniature Schnauzer, Yorkshire Terrier, Labrador Retriever, and Dachshund. Females are twice as likely to get this stones than males. The main way we've been treating Gigi's affliction is through giving antibiotics daily and giving her specially prescribed food by Royal Canin (their SO variety). Another good treatment for this which is also prescription is the SD variety by Hill's Prescription Diet.

Calcium Oxalate Stones

Another main type of bladder stone is the calcium oxalate variety. These are brown-colored in contrast to the white struvite variety. They are primarily found in most male dogs and are rarely spotted in females. Breeds who typically get these stones include: Shih Tzus, Miniature Schnauzers, Bichon Frise, Lhasa Apso, and Yorkshire Terrier.

Unlike Struvite stones, these stones have to be surgically removed. It's possible that a dog can pass these through their system, but only if the stone is small enough. It has been said that the commercial foods can speed the formation of Calcium Oxalate stones. With the increase in commercial food over the years, the incidence of bladder stones has increased. Combined with a lack of water, bladder stones can grow at a fast rate.

Life After Bladder Stones.

The funny thing about dogs who get bladder stones, the chance of them recurring is very high. For this reason, it's important to keep your dog on a strict diet, watch the treats, and make sure they don't ingest too much protein.

Let's Discuss!

Has your dog had an incidence with bladder stones? If you are a veterinarian, I'd like to hear your thoughts on this.

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Gigi's Battle With Bladder Stones

Gigi's Battle With Bladder Stones

We never know what ailment our dog will have. All that we do know is we hate to see our dogs having any pain or discomfort whatsoever. Over the past month, Gigi (pictured with Fancy above), was diagnosed with bladderstones.

What are Bladder Stones?

Bladder stones are crystals that form in a dog's bladder when there is a ph level imbalance. Most bladder stones have an excess buildup of alkali caused by a bacterial infection. In Gigi's case, it was a staph infection. As a result, dogs who suffer from bladder stones will urinate more frequently and may have accidents in the house. They will also strain when trying to eliminate holding themselves longer than usual.

After the dog is diagnosed with bladder stones, the veterinarian will examine a urine sample to see if there are any crystals floating around. By pinpointing what types of crystals are existing in the urine, the vet will determine whether or not the bladder stones can dissolve on their own or they need to be surgically removed. Vets will x-ray the area to better see the bladder area. In Gigi's case, there were no crystals at all so the results were inconclusive. So we took the conservative route to try to dissolve them by giving her a combination of food and antibiotics. It did start to make a difference because Gigi had more of an appetite with her new food and was having fewer accidents in the house.

When Gigi had her first x-ray done, her bladder looked like they had a handful of marbles inside. An example similar to what Gigi had is included in the photo on the right. Today, I just took her to the vet to get a second x-ray because I spotted blood in her urine. Many times, bladder stones will irritate the lining of the bladder while the process is dissolving the stones. As a result, blood in the urine is a side effect of this. After Gigi received x-rays a second time, it seems like the stones that didn't dissolve much.

Photo Source: Wikipedia

However, there were a few on the bottom that were smaller. The doctor also informed me that in some dogs, it takes longer to break down the crystals.

Looking Down The Road

It seems that surgery is probably going to happen. Gigi has been undergoing this treatment for only three weeks. I'm going to wait and see if more crystals dissolve in order to do surgery as a last resort. My vet advised not waiting longer than 6 to 8 weeks so by then, it should be around six weeks. I'll keep you guys posted as time goes by.

Let's Discuss!

If any of you have had a similar situation with one of your dogs, like I did with Gigi, I'd really like to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks to all of you who stop by.

Orijen Lamb Freeze-Dried Treats Review

Recently, I received a package of freeze-dried dog treats from Chewy.com.

I was familiar with freeze-dried dog food and was more than willing to give freeze-dried treats a try. When I first opened the treats, like all freeze-dried items, they reminded me of the astronaut's snack treats that were released in the 80s.

It really is all about taste though. The dogs absolutely loved them. Even Harry, our Chinese Crested pooch who can chew hard foods, gobbled these up wi What I liked about the treats was the fact that they had only three ingredients. On my bag that I received, only had three ingredients: lamb, lamb liver and tripe.

This simplicity is what makes these easy to digest and irresistible to dogs. As far as a downside goes, there wasn't one. I highly recommend the Orijen freeze-dried treats for dogs. They are a great healthy alternative to many commercially- produced treats that contain artificial colors, flavors and fillers.

Let's Discuss!

Please share what types of treats your dog loves to eat below.

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Mr. Chewy Website Review

The Power of Dogs as Human Companions

Hello Everyone! I've been quite a bit behind in my blogging because of a large scale website I've been trying to finish. Today, I'd like to announce a special guest post by Rupert Brown of Muddy Paws in the United Kingdom. Enjoy!

The Power of Dogs as Human Companions

It's long been said that man's best friend is his dog. Loyal, loving and with unquestioning trust, a dog's relationship with its owner is like no other. While cats can be aloof and independent, a dog is affectionate and dependent. Cats don't care whether their owner is there, but dogs crave the company of their master. It's little wonder that dogs make such devoted companions for humans; their unwavering faithfulness and intelligence prompts them to fulfill many different roles: guard dog, babysitter, protector, friend, rescuer, playmate, servant, guide dog, worker and soothing presence, to name but a few. Here are some examples where dogs have become more than simply an adored pet:

The confidence booster

Seven-year old Owen Hoskins sufferers from a rare genetic condition that has him confined to a wheelchair. He was shy and felt like the odd one out. Then 'disabled' dog, Haatchi came into his life. Haatchi lost a leg in an attack with another dog, but immediately connected with Owen. The two have been inseparable ever since. The little boy became more confident as a result of this new-found friendship and says he feels stronger. His parents told huffingtonpost.com that the courageous dog has turned their formerly withdrawn son's life around.

Life saver

Adopted German Shepherd, Bear learned to tell his owner Debbie when she needed to take medicine for the seizures she had been suffering from for 18 years. When Bear leaned on her legs, Debbie would know she should prevent an attack by taking her medication. On the one occasion that she ignored Bear's guidance, Debbie had a seizure and fell down the stairs, blacking out. Bear immediately sought help, barking for a neighbor, then found an animal control officer who came for help and called an ambulance, saving Debbie's life. This and eleven similar stories appear in the Niagara Falls Reporter.

Children's therapy

Dogs are often used in therapy for children, making hospital visits to cheer up the most discouraged young patients. At a hospital in Quito, it was discovered that playing with dogs Juci and Lancelot raised the children's adrenaline levels and consequently boosted their resistance to the side affects associated with chemotherapy. As a result, fewer children need to stay overnight when receiving treatment. According to a volunteer hospital dog handler, Veronica Pardo, the dogs 'infuse children with life'.

The soldier

In 2011, American Navy Seal Jon Tumilson was killed in action by Afghan Forces, paperblog reports. A photograph of the hero's funeral 'went viral' after it was posted online. Why? Because it featured the forlorn image of the soldier's Labrador Retriever, Hawkeye. He is seen laying under the coffin grieving for his master. It's both one of the saddest and most touching examples of a dog's devotion. These are just a handful of stories in which dogs have exceeded expectations and become a friend, counsellor to those that need their companionship the most. What's probably one of the biggest factors is that dogs don't discriminate. They don't shy away from someone who is different, or avoid an uncomfortable situation. They only love and want to be loved in return. That's the power of dogs as human companions.

Let's Discuss!

What's a story of dog and human companionship that has warmed your heart? Please share below.

It's All Related!

20 Dog Breeds That Make Great Running Companions The First Firefighters

About The Author

Understanding Your Dog's Behavior and Keeping Him Happy Rupert Brown is the Managing Director of Muddy Paws, a leading UK retailer of dog products. He lives in the stunning county of Dorset in southern England with his family and dog (as well as Muddy Paws product tester!) Oscar.

A Tale Of Survival From Oklahoma City

I must admit, I was totally blown away by the damage and devastation when the tornado from last week, demolished several parts of Oklahoma City.I only hope that Oklahoma City recovers from this quickly, and my heart goes out to all of those who have lost a loved one in the midst of this tragedy. There was one story that really captured my attention when I saw it on CBS This Morning last week. It was so heartwarming seeing that moment. I've shared the video above for you all to see. The good news about this horrific tragedy is that it's brought together people from all over to help this woman and her beloved bowser. There's already two programs on www.gofundme.com. One fund was started by Erin DeRuggiero. Her fund has already raised over $36,000 towards her $50,000 goal. You can see her fundraising page here. This story has had a reach that has gone everywhere. Actor John Barrowman (known from being on Torchwood, Desperate Housewives and Dr. Who) has also created an assistance fund on Go Fund Me that is off to a good start. To date, they've raised 1,000 dollars.

The Appeal Of This Story

This is a story of survival that has struck a chord with people. Many of us have a grandmother or relative who is a senior citizen who live by themselves. Many, like Barbara, are lucky enough to have a dog or cat for a companion but otherwise are living alone.

Let's Discuss!

What are your thoughts about the Oklahoma City tornado?

Dog Mourns Loss of Beaver Friend

Losing a valuable friend is not easy to go through in life. It has been said that dogs experience loss just as much as humans. First spotted on Huffington Post, this video illustrates beautifully the loss that Bella experience when she lost her good buddy, Beavis the beaver. Hope you all enjoy this and please share your thoughts below.

What The Heck Is Happening In Idaho?

Hi Everyone! Last week, I had competed in the web design competition I was had mentioned previously. It was a tough competition this year, as we had to do a website that was over 130 pages in size and had a team that dwindled from five people to two people. Still, we received an honorable mention and considering that there was a very tight race, we were very pleased with how we did. Now, I can blog more consistently than before.

 Also, thanks to have all who have commented during my time blogging. Just to let you know, I read each and every comment but will not publish spam comments. It's not fair to the readers and hurts the blog with Google.

The Mysterious Land Of Idaho

 Growing up in the Midwest, I never had visited Idaho. In fact, I only can tell you a few things about Idaho of the top of my head:

• That it has very low pollution and beautiful land out there.
• It's known for excellent potatoes.
• Demi Moore and Bruce Willis called Hailey, Idaho home.
• Boise State has had quite a successful football team.

Warning: Not for the faint of heart.

A Case That Makes No Sense

So imagine my surprise when I read about the earlier discoveries of four German Shepherd mixes who were bludgeoned and shot in the head. One was found last month in what seemed to be a ritualistic execution, where the dog's eyes seemed to have bulged out. This has been happening since November of last year as officials have discovered 30 dogs in this fashion. The area of Idaho is in the Twin Falls(see map below)and the Magic Valley Region.

 
View Larger Map

 The whole thing is disconcerting, perplexing and bizarre. So much so, that the Humane Society is offering a $5000 USD reward leading to the capture of these heartless killers. As for the residents of the area that may be targeted, keep an eye on your dog and a bigger eye out for any signs of stalking behavior.

Let's Discuss!

Please share your thoughts about the case below. I'd especially interested in hearing from those of you who live in Idaho. Thaks everyone! :)

Understanding Your Dog's Behavior and Keeping Him Happy

Hello Everyone,

It's been a hectic time for me lately because I am currently competing in a website competition. Since my time is limited these next few weeks, today's post is from a special guest. Please welcome Rupert Brown, from MuddyPaws.co.uk.

Understanding Your Dog's Behavior

Having a dog takes up a huge amount of your time. They effectively become a member of the family. They'll be running to the front door to greet you when you come in and put their head in your lap if you've had a bad day. Your dog has as much of a personality as you do and, consequently, they have feelings as well.

Positive Behavior

If you want your dog to be happy, you need to pay attention to his or her moods. Different breeds have certain traits that you need to be aware of. For example, it is in the nature of a terrier to dig, in the same way as it is for a sheepdog to herd. These traits can affect their personality, but so can your behavior. Dogs recognize different tones of voice so if your dog does something to be proud of, tell them. Use an enthusiastic voice and smile. If you have a smaller breed, pick them up and give them a cuddle.

Making a fuss of your pet will help them to understand that they've done something good, increasing the chances of them repeating it. Rewarding them with healthy treats if they have behaved exceptionally well will help them to make the connection that good behavior equals tasty delights.

Don't Ignore Bad Behavior

Similarly, if they have misbehaved, it's important to make them understand but not to frighten them. Hitting a dog on the nose or around the facial area will provoke fear and they may lash out or bite you as a defence mechanism. Using a stern voice and repeating certain words such as 'naughty' will help the dog to understand that they have done something wrong but they also won't be frightened. The more often they hear the negative word, the sooner they will realize that what they're doing isn't right.

If you find your dog has behaved badly but you don't realize until much later on, it's important not to discipline them. They may struggle to understand what they have done wrong if the incident occurred some time ago and this can confuse them. Some dogs will realize that they have misbehaved when you discover what they've done and you can tell this by their reaction to you.

Understand Their Behavior

If your dog suddenly starts to behave in a submissive manner when you walk into a room and find the curtains have been ripped down, chances are they already know they're in trouble, indicating that their behavior is a cry for attention. Make a note of this, particularly if they repeat the behavior and continue to use the negative word if they show an understanding, to remind them that they have been naughty.

Think about why your dog is behaving in a certain way. It may be just because they particularly enjoy doing something or have developed a habit such as chewing. Many dogs chew shoes but if you give them an alternative and keep taking the shoes away, you might be able to break the habit. If they act up when a certain person is in the house, it could be their influence. Ensure any disciplinary rules are kept with everyone in the house. There is no point in you telling your dog it's naughty to take your socks if your partner then gives them socks to play with. Avoid confusion and your dog will be happy to accommodate some basic rules, particularly if they know they'll get cuddles, treats or walks out of it.

Rupert Brown is the Managing Director of Muddy Paws, a leading UK retailer of dog products. He lives in the stunning county of Dorset in southern England with his family and dog (as well as Muddy Paws product tester!) Oscar.

Let's Discuss!

What are some things that help you understand your dog's behavior?

Kindle Fire Giveaway

Too Kool Doggies is proud to pair up with Bay Area Mommy, myperfectgift.com and the blogs listed below for their Kindle Fire Giveaway.
Welcome to the My Perfect Kindle Fire giveaway event sponsored by MyPerfectGift.com and hosted by Bay Area Mommy! Special shoutout to cohosts One Proud Momma, Spaceships and Laser Beams, SmartySaver, Life in a Break Down, Stay a Stay at Home Mom, My Best Salad Recipes, and Conservamom!

MyPerfectGift.com makes it fun to create a wishlist to share with friends & family. Invite everyone to make registries of their own so you always give (or get) the perfect gift!

One lucky reader will win a Kindle Fire HD worth $199! And 2 runner-up winners will receive a $15 Starbucks or iTunes gift card! To enter, simply create a new registry on MyPerfectGift.com with at least 3 items. Please type “FIRE” in the “Referred By” box when signing up. All other entries are optional but will increase your chances of winning.

Giveaway runs from March 11 at 12:01am EST through April 15 at 11:59pm EST. Must be 18 years old to be eligible. Kindle Fire HD Giveaway is open worldwide. Kindle Fire winner may opt for cash equivalent. $15 gift card winners must be a US resident. Void where prohibited.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please whitelist isis@bayareamommy.net to make sure the winner email notification doesn’t go to your Spam folder. This blog is not responsible for fulfillment of the prize. For questions regarding this giveaway, please contact Bay Area Mommy.

Dog Shaming

Photo: Dog Shaming

There are times that we get into our embarrassing situations. Sometimes, it's out of panic, sometimes it's out of fear and other times we just don't think. When we have those days, it takes time to bounce back.

Dogs are no different when they find themselves in embarrassing. They wind up chewing our favorite shoe, taking our spot on the sofa,or just love sneaking food when they know they shouldn't. It's for these reasons that Dog Shaming was created. Creating in August, 2012 it already has over 281 webpages of pictures.

It's a simple website where people post photos of their dog with a note attached stating why they're being shamed. One of my favorites was this one by Oscar as seen above. Homer has definitely earned a spot on that website, but his owner has never gotten around to taking a picture of him with a note stating what he did wrong.

Photo: dogshaming.com

At first, I thought the idea of dog shaming was a little harsh. Then I realized, as much as we love our pooches, they do have a knack for getting into trouble. It's part of the package when we adopt them. Some dogs never do anything wrong and others are remembered for their naughty acts of the past. One of the coolest things about this website is when foster moms put their dogs pictures up there to help them find a forever home. It's a reminder of how crafty certain dogs can really be, but at the end of it all, we still love them.

Let's Discuss!

What has your dog done to belong on Dog Shaming?