Mass or Stone

Hello! I have a seven-year-old Chesapeake Bay retriever. Her urine was straight blood in June. We got her to the vet and they found something in her bladder. It was believed to be a mass and we were told that dogs usually only live a few months once they have symptoms. We opted to treat her naturally with a number of supplements and raw food. Since that original appointment, we have been back twice. It has not grown, in fact, they believe it shrunk. The three vets that looked at it believe it is a mass, but one mentioned that it might be a stone. Has anyone had experience with this? Is there something I can give her that would break it up if it is a stone?

Hello and thankyou for this interesting case, although I am sorry that it is happening to your dog.   From a client perspective we'd be interested hear what happens in the end if you can spare the time.  From a veterinary perspective, I would expect your vet to have by now looked at the urine (which will have urine in it, not just blood - I'm sure that it will).  Anyway, an analysis of the cells and any crystals in there should give the pathologists a good idea of what's going on.  An ultrasound of the bladder should give some idea as to the density and location of any mass.  If still not sure after that, your vets may talk with pathologists or experts for more help, and decide on the best plan from here which may include a biopsy.  Stones come in various different types and can sometimes be broken down by the diet, but where this is possible, the dietary change required would depend on the type of crystal from which the stone is formed.  You say that three vets have said three different things, but usually between any three vets there will be a heirarchy of understanding.  One may be fresh out of college (never underestimate these guys - they have contacts in the university and access to the latest ideas in a field that has changed in my lifetime).   Another might be assuming old knowledge but may be excellent at surgery, and so on.  The trick is in determining facts from the speculation and working out the best way to act from here.