Urolithiasis or bladder stones are a very common condition in pets, especially dogs. It is more common in certain breeds like the Pug. Types of common bladder stones include Struvite, Phosphates, Oxalates, Urates etc.
It is often a sequelae to long standing urinary infections, metabolic afflictions, dietary problems or diet excess in particular ingredients etc. The solution in allopathy is mostly surgical and the chances of recurrence is very high. It can be quite painful for the patient and frustrating for the owner when the ailment recurs post surgery.
Veterinary homeopathy has been largely dependent on Berberis Vulgaris Mother tincture for the treatment of urinary stones. In most veterinary literature it is listed as the top most remedy for bladder stones. I have used it in practice with mixed results. Other drugs indicated are Cantharis, Vesicaria, Equisetum, Chioanthus, Urtica Urens, Calcarea, Lycopodium, Sarsaparilla Officinalis, depending on symptoms.
The patient Fluffy, a Pomeranian, aged 6 years presented with dysuria, painful straining and frequently raising her leg but unable to urinate in the first week of February 2022. A quick ultrasound scan revealed shadows indicative of crystals / stones in the bladder. Radiographs confirmed the presence of the same. A routine and microscopic examination of the urine was advised. The test revealed pus cells, struvite crystals and alkaline pH (7.5).
To relieve the straining and burning sensation Cantharis 30 was selected. Allen’s Key Notes suggests the constant urge to urinate, intolerable urging before or after urination and a cutting and burning pain during urination as the guiding symptoms for selection of the remedy. Berberis symptoms include burning and stitching pains in the abdomen and increased urination during movement.
Therefore, Fluffy was started on Cantharis 30 and Berberis vulgaris MT and given for a period of three weeks. For one week the urine was acidified with Vit C supplementation and the pus cells were controlled with Norfloxacin 100 mg twice a day. The patient was put on a diet that controlled further formation of struvite stones.
Two weeks later the owner bought Fluffy to the clinic and there was no burning sensation reported. The allopathic medications had already been stopped a week before and Cantharis 30 with Berberis MT were continued without change in potency.
A month after initial presentation Cantharis 200 replaced the 30 potency. On 12th April 2022 the second X-Ray revealed the total dissolution of all crystals and stones. The owner was extremely pleased at the development and Cantharis was discontinued.
The plan of treatment is to continue Berberis MT for a further 2 months and review thereafter. X rays are to be taken for a period of one year for comparison.
