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Gallstones in Dogs: Treatment Options and What to Expect

Canine cholelithiasis is often incidental; treatment depends on clinical signs.

Management Options

Decision Factors

  • Clinical signs (vomiting, jaundice, pain, fever).
  • Stone composition (cholesterol vs. pigment — ultrasound/analysis).
  • CBD involvement.
  • Age, comorbidities, anesthesia risk.
  • Owner finances/commitment.

Key Point

Asymptomatic stones often monitored. Surgery indicated for cholecystitis, obstruction, or biliary colic. Consult a veterinary internist/surgeon.

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ApproachDetails
Surgery (cholecystectomy)Gold standard for symptomatic stones. Laparoscopic preferred. Curative. Risks: bile leak, pancreatitis, anesthesia.
Medical dissolutionLow-fat diet + ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) 10–15 mg/kg/day. Works only for cholesterol stones (<50% of canine stones). Months to years. Low success.
UDCA monotherapyMay prevent progression, dissolve small cholesterol stones. Adjunct to diet.
Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL)Fragment stones → pass via CBD. Rarely used in dogs; stone composition/size limits success.
PTC/ERCPFor CBD obstruction. Stent/balloon dilation. Specialized centers only.