Struvite Crystals In Dog Urine

Struvite crystals irritate the urinary tract and trigger frequent urination.

Struvite crystals in dog urine.

In general crystals are found when an abundance of certain compounds are excreted by the kidneys. However according to veterinarians at the marva vista animal clinic in los angeles struvite crystals require an alkaline ph in order to form. 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. However crystals can form blockages and lead to stones.

The cause of crystals in cats and dogs depend on the kind of crystal your veterinarian finds. Many dogs have struvite crystals in their urine which does not necessarily indicate a medical condition. Dogs prone to the formation of struvite stones have alkaline urine which makes crystals prone to forming and aggregating to form stones. Certain kinds of crystals in cat urine or dog urine may eventually lead to stone formation.

Urine crystals and stones aren t always related. The changes caused in the crystals by a staphylococcal or proteus infection from. One way to get your dog to drink more water is to increase his sodium. For instance struvite crystals are managed by making the urine more acidic and calcium oxalate crystals are managed by making the urine more alkaline.

They typically form because of urinary changes that happen when bladder infections occur. It is therefore important to make the dog s urine more acidic to prevent their formation explains veterinarian dr. They cannot form in acidic urine. Struvite crystals are formed in the alkaline urine thus drinking more water will help his urine get more diluted and acidic.

They are comprised of magnesium ammonium phosphate and are more likely to appear when the urine gets too alkaline. If the urine becomes exceptionally concentrated or if it becomes alkaline opposite to acidic struvite crystals will precipitate or fall out of solution. Struvite stones are one of the most common bladder stones in dogs and cats. 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.

It remains dissolved and not precipitate for as long as. The veterinarian will determine if your dog needs medical treatment. Struvite is a natural constituent of dog s urine. Crystals can become bladder stones and a chronic issue if not dealt with.

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. Acute dog urinary incontinence concern can be brought on by struvite crystals forming in the dogs urine. Struvite crystals in dog urine.