Detecting and Preventing Bladder Stones in Miniature Schnauzers

Although bladder stones are common in all dogs, miniature schnauzers are 10 to 20 times more likely to develop a specific type of stone – calcium oxalate – than other breeds. This type of urinary stone can cause life-threatening obstruction of the urinary tract and often needs to be removed through surgery or other techniques. Even with dietary and medical preventive measures, calcium oxalate stones have a high rate of recurrence. Researchers will investigate if calcium concentrations in urine can be used as a non-invasive marker for miniature schnauzers at risk of developing calcium oxalate bladder stones. Data will be used to develop a screening test to identify at-risk dogs, and monitor the efficacy of prescribed prevention measures.