What it is
Uric acid is a waste product the body makes when it breaks down certain compounds called purines, found in food and in the body's own cells. Normally the liver turns it into a substance that dissolves easily and leaves in the urine without trouble. In dogs with hyperuricosuria an inherited change means the liver and kidneys handle uric acid differently, so far more of it reaches the urine, where it can form gritty crystals and then urate stones.
The tendency is present from birth, but stones can form at any age, and in male dogs a small stone can lodge in the narrow urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body, and block it.
Living with this means keeping an eye on your dog's toilet habits: how much and how regularly it passes urine, what colour the urine is and whether it seems comfortable. Regular trips outside make it easier to notice changes early.
Signs you may notice
- Straining to pass urine
- Passing only small amounts
- Blood in the urine
- Crying out when urinating
- Licking the genital area
- Squatting again and again
You may notice a dog that keeps squatting or lifting a leg but passes only a little urine at a time, has blood in the urine, or is in pain when urinating. If the dog strains but cannot pass urine, don't wait: take it to a vet right away.
When to see a vet
If your dog strains but cannot pass urine, it needs a vet immediately. Blood in the urine, or straining that still produces some urine, is worth booking a visit for soon.
This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.