Struvite Stones In Older Dogs

Female dogs are at greater risk as they are more likely to develop utis.

Struvite stones in older dogs.

Struvite stones are quite unique in their composition. Bladder stones are generally defined by the type of minerals that they contain. Dogs prescribed antibiotics will typically use the drugs while consuming the therapeutic dog food and possibly longer if needed. Drinking enough water is the single most important factor for avoiding the development of struvite bladder stones.

Struvite stones in dogs sometimes occur without creating symptoms but they usually cause a few symptoms that observant owners should notice quickly. Struvite uroliths occur in both dogs and cats but have different causes. Symptoms and types. Being composed of magnesium ammonium phosphate struvite stones require a different treatment compared to other types of bladder stones in dogs.

Struvite bladder stones usually form as a complication of a bladder infection caused by bacteria and if the urine becomes exceptionally concentrated and acidic. 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 stones account for more than one third of all stones found in the urinary tracts of dogs. There are different types of bladder stones in dogs.

At least half of all bladder stones in cats are struvite and they re to blame for more than 30 of stones in dogs. 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. While some dogs may not display any symptoms others have urinary problems such as. 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.

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. Chew delivered at the 2004 small animal proceedings symposium of the. 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. 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. The most common signs that a dog has bladder stones are hematuria and dysuria. 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 aggregates of crystals represent almost the entire stone and the minimum part is composed of an organic matrix.