Struvite Crystals In Dogs Bladder

The most common signs that a dog has bladder stones are hematuria and dysuria.

Struvite crystals in dogs bladder.

Struvite stones are quite unique in their composition. They are formed from struvite crystals which are a normal. 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.

Struvite bladder stones usually form as a complication of a bladder infection caused by bacteria and if the urine becomes exceptionally concentrated and acidic. One of the more common bladder stones found in dogs is composed of magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate also known as struvite stones. In many cases the specific type of crystal involved can be seen in a sample of urine viewed under the microscope. The cause of crystals in cats and dogs depend on the kind of crystal your veterinarian finds.

Being composed of magnesium ammonium phosphate struvite stones require a different treatment compared to other types of bladder stones in dogs. In general crystals are found when an abundance of certain compounds are excreted by the kidneys. Struvite stones are one of the most common bladder stones in dogs and cats. 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.

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. Certain kinds of crystals in cat urine or dog urine may eventually lead to stone formation. Most bladder stones in dogs are made from struvite calcium oxalate urate or cystine crystals. However according to veterinarians at the marva vista animal clinic in los angeles struvite crystals require an alkaline ph in order to form.

They cannot form in acidic urine. Urine crystals and stones aren t always related.