Struvite Crystals In Dog Urine Treatment

Crystals in cat urine vs.

Struvite crystals in dog urine treatment.

This will help to maintain the acid in your pet s urine that is necessary to avoid the buildup of struvite crystals. The difference lies in the kind of crystals that form in dogs or cats and how they can adversely affect these pets. Crystals in dog urine. In some cases this requires adjusting the ph of your dog s urine.

Feed your pet an acidic diet with animal based protein sources. Struvite stones are quite unique in their composition. The veterinarian will determine if your dog needs medical treatment. 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.

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. The less concentrated the urine the less likely struvite crystals will form. 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 direction to which your dog s urine is adjusted will vary depending on the type of crystals involved.

The crystals are painful and uncomfortable dangerously blocking the flow of urine. However crystals can form blockages and lead to stones. Treatment of crystals in dog s urine usually involves the following. Being composed of magnesium ammonium phosphate struvite stones require a different treatment compared to other types of bladder stones in dogs.

Carnivores dogs and cats that eat a fresh red meat based diet naturally produce acidic urine which prevents this crystal formation. For instance struvite crystals are managed by making the urine more acidic and calcium oxalate crystals are managed by making the urine more alkaline. Treatment of struvite crystals involves lowering the ph increasing alkalinity while calcium oxalate crystals call for acidity increase. Struvite bladder stones usually form as a complication of a bladder infection caused by bacteria and if the urine becomes exceptionally concentrated and acidic.

Dogs and cats are different in many ways but both seem predisposed to urine crystal formation. Generally speaking struvite stones crystals will form when the animal s urine ph becomes neutral or alkaline ph 7 or greater and urine is concentrated. Struvite crystals do not require a change in diet. Due to the fact that struvite crystals do not position an issue unless the dog has a urinary tract infection there is no required treatment for crystals including dietary modifications.

If enough crystals build up in your dog s bladder they form a bladder stone which may need to be surgically removed. If the dog does have a urinary tract infection a prescription dog food will not treat it. Veterinary treatment is essential for a dog suffering from urinary crystals in order to keep him healthy. Increase your cat s or dog s water intake.