Struvite Crystals In Dogs Merck

Struvite crystalluria in dogs is not a problem unless there is a concurrent bacterial urinary tract infection with a urease producing microbe.

Struvite crystals in dogs merck. Dogs vulnerable to forming struvite stones need to be continued an unique diet for life. They are comprised of magnesium ammonium phosphate and are more likely to appear when the urine gets too alkaline. Struvite bladder stones usually form as a complication of a bladder infection caused by bacteria and if the urine becomes exceptionally concentrated and acidic. Urinary struvite crystals represent disease and require treatment.

One of the more common bladder stones found in dogs is composed of magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate also known as struvite stones. Many dogs have struvite crystals in their urine which does not necessarily indicate a medical condition. 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.

Struvite crystals require a modification in diet typically to a prescription diet like c d u d or s d. Struvite crystals in dog urine. Struvite stones are quite unique in their composition. The most common signs that a dog has bladder stones are hematuria and dysuria.

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. They typically form because of urinary changes that happen when bladder infections occur. The mineral composition is mostly struvite mgnh 4 po 4 6h 2 o but frequently small amounts of carbonate apatite and ammonium urate are present. If your dog is suffering from this urinary tract stones condtion this article explains in detail the basics of diet for dogs.

The changes caused in the crystals by a staphylococcal or proteus infection from. Struvite crystals are the first of the two main types of crystals seen in dog s urine. Struvite crystals are commonly seen in canine and feline urine. The most common urinary stones in dogs are composed of struvite.

Without an infection struvite crystals in dogs are not associated with struvite urolith formation. It remains dissolved and not precipitate for as long as. Struvite is a natural constituent of dog s urine. They cannot form in acidic urine.

If your dog was diagnosed with struvite stones you may be wondering what dietary foods for dogs with struvite crystals and stones are out there. Being composed of magnesium ammonium phosphate struvite stones require a different treatment compared to other types of bladder stones in dogs. In most cases struvite uroliths form in association with urinary tract infections with urease producing staphylococcus or proteus.