{"id":6851,"date":"2022-03-09T15:40:41","date_gmt":"2022-03-09T15:40:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aercmn.com\/?p=6851"},"modified":"2022-03-09T15:40:41","modified_gmt":"2022-03-09T15:40:41","slug":"fur-tunately-stories-of-animal-survival-episode-ix-frank-the-pug-and-the-bladder-stone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/fur-tunately-stories-of-animal-survival-episode-ix-frank-the-pug-and-the-bladder-stone\/","title":{"rendered":"Fur-Tunately: Stories of Animal Survival | Episode IX | Frank the Pug and the Bladder Stone"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Fur-Tunately,<\/p>\n

Lethargic, not eating, vomiting, large (and painful!) bladder, straining to urinate. More accurately, no urination at all \u2013 since Frank, a three-year-old Pug, hadn\u2019t peed in twenty-four hours. These symptoms, plus Frank\u2019s elevated kidney values on bloodwork led our emergency team to a quick diagnosis of urinary obstruction.<\/p>\n

But what was the cause of the obstruction? Our team suspected a bladder stone. But the tricky part in Frank\u2019s case was finding the proof.<\/p>\n

Bladder Stones<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Let\u2019s back up, though. <\/span>Bladder stones occur when natural minerals in the urine clump together into a stone-like form that can vary in size. These can cause an obstruction in the bladder, which means the pet can\u2019t fully empty <\/span>it<\/span>. Being unable to urinate at all, like Frank, is a medical emergency since dangerous toxins and electrolytes build up in the blood instead of being flushed out of the body in urine. These toxins can even stop the heart \u2013 hence the need for emergency care.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"frank<\/p>\n

Finding Proof<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Unfortunately, bladder stones aren\u2019t always visible on x-rays, which was the case for Frank. A faintly mineralized area — either a bladder stone or mineralized bladder debris — <\/span>was<\/span><\/i> visible. But because the diagnosis wasn\u2019t clearcut, a few extra steps were needed to confirm the reason for Frank\u2019s obstruction.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the meantime, a catheter was placed to get Frank urinating again. He was hospitalized with treatments: intravenous (IV) fluids, pain relievers, and anti-nausea medication. His urine testing showed a lot of bladder inflammation, but no evident infection. There were no crystals founds in his urine. So the best way to uncover the root cause of Frank\u2019s problem was with additional imaging.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Eureka<\/span><\/span>!<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

An abdominal ultrasound was performed and Dr. Nevins, one of our board-certified veterinary radiologists, confirm<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>crystalline debris and at least one bladder stone<\/span><\/span>! <\/span>Fortunately, Frank\u2019s subsequent bloodwork showed that his kidney values returned to normal after his obstruction was bypassed (with the urinary catheter) and he was hydrated. But with the proof of a bladder stone, Frank wasn\u2019t out of the woods quite yet. He went into surgery with Dr. Anderson, one of our board-certified veterinary surgeons, to have the bladder stone removed.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Recovery<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Frank<\/span> recovered well from surgery. He stayed the night <\/span>in our ER <\/span>so we could keep a close eye on him and control his post-surgical pain. T<\/span>he <\/span>urinary catheter was removed, and great news! Frank was urinating well, comfortable with his pain relievers<\/span>,<\/span> and eating like a champ. <\/span>With this <\/span>leap of<\/span> progress, h<\/span>e <\/span>was able to <\/span>head<\/span> home to continue the healing process with his family.<\/span><\/p>\n

Six months after surgery, Frank\u2019s Mom, Jessica, shares that he made a wonderful recovery and is spunkier than ever,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u201cHe sure lights up the day<\/span>!\u201d Here\u2019s Frank at home with his half-sister, Piper.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"frank<\/p>\n

Our \u201cFur-tunately: Stories of Animal Survival\u201d series feature real pets treated by our team at Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota. All images and information have been shared with the owner\u2019s permission.<\/span><\/i>\u202f<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u202fCase content provided by Ally Thell, DVM.<\/span><\/i>\u202f<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Animal<\/p>\n

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