Help – Wanted Bladder Stones

[GradR]

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone on this forum have any rabbit bladder stones that I could purchase? 

I’m a grad student looking to acquire specimens for a comparative study of the struvite structure in both enteroliths and uroliths from various domesticated animals.

If you have any please contact me.  Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Jennifer

[Beka27]

I’m not sure that any vets we’ve dealt with have ever given those to the owners, so not sure how much luck you’ll have on here. But welcome, nonetheless. ;o)

[blackfang]

DONT TRUST HER!

I have a strange feeling that she is experimenting on rabbits.. in not good way..

IGNORE HER!

[Lis]

Taurus, she’s just looking for bladder stones. It’s not like she’s asking you to surrender your bunny to her.

I’m guessing this is for your final paper? What’s your major?

[Zombie-Sue]

Are you going to surgically insert them into a rabbit?

[BinkyBunny]

Though I understand why some people may be cautious, as every once in awhile we do get some posts from trolls that are a bit weird, but there is no reason to jump to such drastic conclusions here!  If anything studies like this one may help with treating animals and benefit animal health care.

Just FYI: There are different kinds of bladder stones and this person may just be looking for a way to study the different kinds. I will email her to clarify, but please be polite here. If you find out anything devious then you can always use the alert button, but for now there is no reason to think that.  

I think one of our members actually got her bunny’s bladder stone. And I  am not sure if my vet would have given me Jack’s stone if I had asked, but maybe?? ….If she wasn’t wanting it to study herself.

You might try your local vets offices.

[KatnipCrzy]

Typically bladder stones are sent to the University of Minnesota to their lab to determine what the stone exterior and interior is made of- this allows for proper diagnosis of what type of stone and how diet may help- and if getting the urine more alkaline or acidic may benefit in preventing a reoccurence of stones.

Unfortunately I do not think that you will have any luck in soliciting stones thru an online forum- as members are unlikely to want to share their personal info.  I suggest you contact local vets or the Univ of Minnesota.

[GradR]

 

Thank you for all the response in regards to my post.  My veterinary field of specialization is in equine and camelid health.  I’m in the early stages of my research project which entails an analysis of the geochemical (basically the mineralogic and chemical compound) texture of equine enteroliths (lit. ‘stomach/intestinal stones’). 

Enteroliths occur in horses with colic and its main composition is made up of struvite (a form of magnesium phosphate – it has a harden powder appearance), a feature which is common in many uroliths (i.e. ‘bladder stones’).

 

It is the mutual feature of struvite in both enteroliths and uroliths that has aroused my curiosity and will be a sub-component of my study.  I’m not sure what the data will reveal, but I think it will shed some light on understanding the increasing occurrence of enteroliths and uroliths in various domesticated animals (e.g. rabbit, ferrets, tortoise, lizards, chinchillas, cats and dogs).  Whilst dietary regulation is often the key to minimizing the occurrence of enteroliths and uroliths, however it’s the analysis of these specimens that allow the isolation of particular food types. 

 

Hence, this was my reason for contacting the forum.  It was suggested to me that pet enthusiasts may be able to assist me in acquiring these stones for study.  I’m also in contact with various veterinary hospitals, but the chances of them retaining bladder stones from pet owners are slim.  My university has limited specimens and most are off limits to grad students because they are kept as teaching resources. 

 

I hope I did not offend any forum members with my post.

 

Jennifer

 

[RabbitPam]

Hi,

That really sounds fascinating and quite helpful. It’s a good application of information to pet situations, especially exotics that are always a bit behind in the knowledge base than dogs or cats. As a human with kidney stones, I was fascinated to learn that there are about 12 types, and foods not good for me are quite different than those that bother others, so this is quite relevant to the health of our pets as well.

Trying to think of ways you can get some other than here. I agree that if the U. of Minn. does the lab work, maybe you can contact a head of the lab to request a shipment of collected stones be sent to you after analysis and final report, after they are kept for any prerequisite time. Tell them your study area and see if they would be willing to send you a variety of them periodically. Otherwise, see if there’s a local lab near you that you could stop by to collect some. Best of luck in your research. Keep us posted.

[Deleted User]

I just wanted to say that I am thrilled to read about your intended research. It is such a common occurence in rabbits and it would be a blessing if it could be figured out! Good luck with your study!

Petzy

[Sarita]

I love your research! Kudos to you and I hope you find what you need for your research.

[Nibbles_NZ]

Finding answers to a health issue is always a good thing! Good luck with your research.

[Author]

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