Symptoms

Horses with bladder stones may show:

• Difficulty or pain when urinating
• Blood in the urine (hematuria)
• Colic-like symptoms such as restlessness or abdominal pain
• Changes in urination habits, like frequent small amounts
• Sometimes complete urinary blockage with large stones

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made using physical examination, ultrasound, and/or bladder endoscopy. X-rays may also help, especially for calcium-rich stones that show up on radiographs.

Treatment options

Treatment mainly depends on the size of the stone:

• Smaller stones are usually treated with a standing urethrotomy, where an incision is made in the urethra to remove the stone. This procedure is done in a standing, sedated horse.
• Larger stones require a laparotomy, a surgical procedure under general anesthesia in which the abdomen is opened to remove the stone from the bladder.

Prognosis and risk of recurrence

Prognosis after treatment is generally good. However, bladder stones tend to recur relatively frequently. Good aftercare and regular check-ups are important.

Prevention

Prevention is difficult but these measures can reduce risk:

• Provide plenty of clean drinking water
• Adjust diet to balance minerals properly
• Regular urine checks for horses with a history of stones
• Avoid stress and dehydration, especially in performance horses