Struvite Crystals In Dog Urine
If the urine becomes exceptionally concentrated or if it becomes alkaline opposite to acidic struvite crystals will precipitate or fall out of solution.
Struvite crystals in dog urine. One way to get your dog to drink more water is to increase his sodium. They are comprised of magnesium ammonium phosphate and are more likely to appear when the urine gets too alkaline. However crystals can form blockages and lead to stones. The changes caused in the crystals by a staphylococcal or proteus infection from.
Incontinence in a dog caused by crystals in urine. Struvite crystals are formed in the alkaline urine thus drinking more water will help his urine get more diluted and acidic. However according to veterinarians at the marva vista animal clinic in los angeles struvite crystals require an alkaline ph in order to form. They typically form because of urinary changes that happen when bladder infections occur.
It remains dissolved and not precipitate for as long as. Many dogs have struvite crystals in their urine which does not necessarily indicate a medical condition. Struvite is a natural constituent of dog s urine. 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.
In general crystals are found when an abundance of certain compounds are excreted by the kidneys. The veterinarian will determine if your dog needs medical treatment. Urine crystals and stones aren t always related. Dogs prone to the formation of struvite stones have alkaline urine which makes crystals prone to forming and aggregating to form stones.
Struvite crystals irritate the urinary tract and trigger frequent urination. Struvite crystals in dog urine. Crystals can become bladder stones and a chronic issue if not dealt with. For instance struvite crystals are managed by making the urine more acidic and calcium oxalate crystals are managed by making the urine more alkaline.
The crystals composed of magnesium ammonium and phosphate become a problem only if your dog contracts a urinary tract infection. 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. The cause of crystals in cats and dogs depend on the kind of crystal your veterinarian finds. Acute dog urinary incontinence concern can be brought on by struvite crystals forming in the dogs urine.
It is therefore important to make the dog s urine more acidic to prevent their formation explains veterinarian dr. Struvite crystals are the first of the two main types of crystals seen in dog s urine. Struvite stones are one of the most common bladder stones in dogs and cats. In some cases this requires adjusting the ph of your dog s urine.