Struvite Stones In Older Dogs

Struvite uroliths occur in both dogs and cats but have different causes.

Struvite stones in older dogs. Struvite stones account for more than one third of all stones found in the urinary tracts of dogs. Drinking enough water is the single most important factor for avoiding the development of struvite bladder stones. Bladder stones are generally defined by the type of minerals that they contain. Struvite bladder stones or crystals also known as triple phosphate are the most common type of bladder stones seen in dogs and cats.

Let s learn more about how struvite stones form the symptoms they cause and available treatments so you ll be aware of what to be on the lookout for in your dog. About half of the diagnosed stones are composed of struvite magnesium ammonium phosphate a third of calcium oxalate and a small part of urate. The stones are more common in female dogs than in male dogs and typically in animals that are mid range in years six to seven years of age. Adequate water intake helps to dilute the urine and encourages frequent urination which decreases the concentration of potential stone forming minerals in the dog s urine according to a paper dennis j.

There are different types of bladder stones in dogs. In dogs struvite stones the most common type seen develop almost exclusively as a result of urinary tract infections utis caused by urease producing bacteria. Symptoms and types. Being composed of magnesium ammonium phosphate struvite stones require a different treatment compared to other types of bladder stones in dogs.

The most common signs that a dog has bladder stones are hematuria and dysuria. Struvite stones are a type of bladder stone commonly diagnosed in dogs. The aggregates of crystals represent almost the entire stone and the minimum part is composed of an organic matrix. Female dogs are at greater risk as they are more likely to develop utis.

One of the more common bladder stones found in dogs is composed of magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate also known as struvite stones. Dogs prescribed antibiotics will typically use the drugs while consuming the therapeutic dog food and possibly longer if needed. Struvite stones are quite unique in their composition. While some dogs may not display any symptoms others have urinary problems such as.

Like all bladder stones struvites can irritate the lining of the bladder resulting in pain urinary accidents and sometimes blockage of the urinary tract. If struvite is the diagnosis a veterinarian will treat the underlying cause e g dog antibiotics for urinary tract infections and may recommend a therapeutic diet that will dissolve the stones and crystals. Struvite bladder stones usually form as a complication of a bladder infection caused by bacteria and if the urine becomes exceptionally concentrated and acidic. Chew delivered at the 2004 small animal proceedings symposium of the.