TL;DR: A visible stone at the urethral opening is a life-threatening medical emergency that requires immediate veterinary intervention to prevent organ failure or bladder rupture.
What is a urethral stone obstruction in dogs?
A urethral stone obstruction occurs when a mineralized deposit (urolith) formed in the bladder travels into the narrow tube that carries urine out of the body and becomes lodged. When a stone is visible at the very tip of the penis or vulva, it indicates that the stone has moved as far as it can go but is too large to pass, creating a physical dam that prevents urine from leaving the body.
Is a visible urethral stone considered a medical emergency?
- This is a high-priority medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
- A dog that cannot urinate will experience a rapid buildup of toxins in the bloodstream.
- Failure to treat the obstruction can lead to kidney failure, bladder rupture, or life-threatening heart arrhythmias within 24 to 48 hours.
- If you see a stone at the urethral opening, do not wait; proceed to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital immediately.
How does taking a photo of the stone help the veterinary triage process?
- A clear, close-up photo of the urethral tip provides invaluable information for the veterinary team.
- Sharing this photo allows staff to prepare specific tools, such as catheters or flushing equipment, before you arrive.
- It helps the vet distinguish the stone from other issues like prolapses or tumors.
- This step ensures your pet receives the fastest possible care upon arrival.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
For a dog with a bladder stone lodged at the tip of the urethra, initial treatment involves attempting to flush the urolith back into the bladder using a catheter. This is achieved by passing the largest catheter possible to the calculus, occluding the distal urethral lumen around the catheter, and infusing a sterile mixture of equal parts isotonic saline solution and an aqueous lubricant. If the urolith cannot be flushed back, surgical removal via urethrotomy is necessary, which may be followed by suturing or a permanent urethrostomy. Regardless of the method of removal, cystotomy should be performed to remove any calculi from the bladder to prevent recurrence. The extracted stone should be submitted for quantitative analysis to guide medical management aimed at preventing future stone formation.
Chapter: Urology
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 1527)