Struvite Crystals In Dogs Bladder

Urine crystals and stones aren t always related.

Struvite crystals in dogs bladder.

They cannot form in acidic urine. In general crystals are found when an abundance of certain compounds are excreted by the kidneys. The most common signs that a dog has bladder stones are hematuria and dysuria. Certain kinds of crystals in cat urine or dog urine may eventually lead to stone formation.

Being composed of magnesium ammonium phosphate struvite stones require a different treatment compared to other types of bladder stones in dogs. Most bladder stones in dogs are made from struvite calcium oxalate urate or cystine crystals. Bladder stones are a collection of minerals and other materials. In many cases the specific type of crystal involved can be seen in a sample of urine viewed under the microscope.

Struvite bladder stones usually form as a complication of a bladder infection caused by bacteria and if the urine becomes exceptionally concentrated and acidic. How are bladder stones formed and treated. The cause of crystals in cats and dogs depend on the kind of crystal your veterinarian finds. Struvite stones or urinary tract stones are one of the several types of stones urolithiasis that can form in a dog s bladder.

They typically form because of urinary changes that happen when bladder infections occur. 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. 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 according to veterinarians at the marva vista animal clinic in los angeles struvite crystals require an alkaline ph in order to form.

Struvite stones are quite unique in their composition. One of the more common bladder stones found in dogs is composed of magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate also known as struvite stones.