Stone-Forming

The one health problem that is unique to Dals is their potential to form urate bladder stones.  While many breeds have the tendency for kidney stones, and other urinary tract problems, Dalmatians are unique in the cause.  Of all dog breeds, only Dalmatians and Bulldogs form urate stones; and Bulldogs form them for very different reasons than Dals.
Every Dalmatian is born with the inability to process/digest certain substances called purines.  Purines are a base component of DNA -- the genetic code that makes a living thing what it is.  It's not exactly known what makes a Dal unable to digest purines; some have said it's the lack of a particular liver enzyme.  However -- if that were the case, then correcting this problem, at least on the level of the individual dog, would simply be a matter of adding the correct enzyme to the dog's food.

The process of digestion creates both liquid and solid wastes.  Liquid wastes are filtered by the kidneys.  During the process of digestion, for most mammal species, these liquid wastes are broken down into a very base component -- a substance called urea.  Dalmatians, humans, and one form of primate are genetically unable to process liquid wastes into urea; their bodies stop this breakdown at a substance called uric acid.  (The further breakdown of uric acid is what produces urea.)  In humans, these molecules of uric acid either collect in the kidney, or they aren't even filtered out of the blood, and collect in the extremities, usually at the ends of the feet/toes.  In Dalmatians, uric acid is usually filtered out of the blood by the kidneys, but tends to collect in the urinary bladder.  When these molecules of uric acid start collecting, they form crystals.  In humans, the formation of crystals, especially at the ends of the feet/toes, leads to extreme pain, and a condition known as gout.  In Dalmatians, these crystals may or may not be flushed out of the bladder during urination.  If they are NOT flushed out, they will further accumulate and form stones.  Every Dalmatian has the potential to form stones; although few actually do; just like every human has the potential to develop gout, although few actually do.

When a Dalmatian starts to form actual bladder stones -- there is serious cause for concern.  Some dogs may be stone-formers, and their owners will never know, as some stones are easily passed during urination.  It is important to remember that some stones can be as small as grains of sand, and thus are easily overlooked.  Other dogs become overt (obvious) stone-formers.  Those dogs, especially males, are usually "discovered" when the stones being formed in the bladder block the urethra and prevent urination.  THIS IS A LIFE-THREATENING CONDITION!!!!!!!!!  When a dog, male or female, is unable to urinate,  urine quickly accumulates and backs up into the bloodstream.  If not treated in a matter of hours, the dog can, and most often will, die.  Males are more susceptible to blockage, because of the difference in anatomy from females.  Females have a short, relatively straight urethra; males have longer urethras that bend (turn) and narrow in a couple of places.  One particular place of concern in males is the os penis, a normal narrowing of the path of the urethra.  This is where most blockages occur.

When one suspects a Dalmatian is having bladder stone problems, especially if blocked, it is of extreme importance that the dog be taken to a vet immediately!  As stated above, a blocked urethra is a life-threatening condition, and a Dalmatian can die within a matter of hours if not treated properly & promptly.  Regardless of the method of treatment, any stones or crystals found should be sent to one of three veterinary urolith centers in the United States.  The University of Minnesota will do a complete assay on stones & crystals at NO CHARGE -- so there is no excuse to not send a sample.
It is important to have an assay done on any stones or crystals found, as different types of stones require different treatments and prevention measures.  Of greatest concern to Dalmatians are urate stones -- these are directly related to the inability to digest/process purines.  Other types of stones are usually caused (either directly or indirectly) by urinary tract infections.

Prevention is relatively simple -- avoid foods that are high in purines, keep plenty of fresh water available for the dog, and allow frequent (at least every 4 hours) potty breaks so the bladder can be emptied and flushed of any crystals or stones.  Beware of those who tell you high protein diets are bad -- the concern is not with the AMOUNT, but with the SOURCE of protein.  Foods with protein sources such as liver, kidney, or other organ meats are a big NO-NO.  These organ meats are at the top of the list of high-purine foods; other high purine foods include anchovies, herring, and broccoli.  For a more complete list, click here.

For more information on Dalmatian stone-forming, including prevention measures and treatment, please visit the Dalmatian Club of America website; or click on one of the links below.

Fifteen Years' Data of Almost 3,000 Dalmatian Urinary Stones
Urinary Stone-Forming in Dalmatians and Other Dogs
Fallacy of 'Low Protein' vs. 'High Protein' in Stone-Formers' Diets
Tabulation of Purine-Yielding Foods
DCA Teaching Seminar by Joseph Bartges, DVM, PhD
General Preventatives for Stone-Forming Dalmatians
Emergency Procedures for Obstructed Stone-Forming Dalmatians
Dipsticking to Monitor Stone-Forming Dalmatians

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Last modified: December 07, 2001