Struvite Crystals In Canine Urine

One way to get your dog to drink more water is to increase his sodium.

Struvite crystals in canine urine.

In general crystals are found when an abundance of certain compounds are excreted by the kidneys. Certain kinds of crystals in cat urine or dog urine may eventually lead to stone formation. If the urine becomes exceptionally concentrated or if it becomes alkaline opposite to acidic struvite crystals will precipitate or fall out of solution. The veterinarian will determine if your dog needs medical treatment.

Struvite crystals can form in your dog s bladder or kidneys after he suffers a urinary tract infection caused by one of two types of bacteria. Many dogs have struvite crystals in their urine which does not necessarily indicate a medical condition. Struvite crystals in dog urine. If left untreated struvite crystals can form stones that can make it impossible for your dog to urinate which can become a life threatening condition.

Dogs prone to the formation of struvite stones have alkaline urine which makes crystals prone to forming and aggregating to form stones. Struvite crystals are formed in the alkaline urine thus drinking more water will help his urine get more diluted and acidic. They cannot form in acidic urine. For instance struvite crystals are managed by making the urine more acidic and calcium oxalate crystals are managed by making the urine more alkaline.

Struvite crystalluria in dogs is not an issue unless there is a concurrent bacterial urinary tract infection with a urease producing microorganism. The cause of crystals in cats and dogs depend on the kind of crystal your veterinarian finds. The crystals composed of magnesium ammonium and phosphate become a problem only if your dog contracts a urinary tract infection. Struvite stones are one of the most common bladder stones in dogs and cats.

The changes caused in the crystals by a staphylococcal or proteus infection from. They are comprised of magnesium ammonium phosphate and are more likely to appear when the urine gets too alkaline. It remains dissolved and not precipitate for as long as. Inning accordance with the merck veterinary manual 2005 struvite crystals are commonly observed in canine and feline urine.

However according to veterinarians at the marva vista animal clinic in los angeles struvite crystals require an alkaline ph in order to form. However crystals can form blockages and lead to stones. Urine crystals and stones aren t always related. Struvite crystals are the first of the two main types of crystals seen in dog s urine.

Struvite is a normal component of dog s urine and will remain dissolved as long as the urine is acidic and is not too concentrated. In some cases this requires adjusting the ph of your dog s urine.