Struvite bladder stones usually form as a complication of a bladder infection caused by bacteria and if the urine becomes exceptionally concentrated and acidic.
Struvite crystals in dogs symptoms.
The most common signs that a dog has bladder stones are hematuria and dysuria.
Struvite stones in dogs sometimes occur without creating symptoms but they usually cause a few symptoms that observant owners should notice quickly.
If the dog does have a urinary tract infection a prescription dog food will not treat it.
In some cases this requires adjusting the ph of your dog s urine.
A large part of therapy for struvite crystals in dogs is the diet.
This type of stone is more common in women than in men.
Struvite crystals do not require a change in diet.
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.
About 10 to 15 percent of all kidney stones are made from struvite.
Struvite stones are one of the most common bladder stones in dogs and cats.
If your dog is suffering from this urinary tract stones condtion this article explains in detail the basics of diet for dogs.
However according to veterinarians at the marva vista animal clinic in los angeles struvite crystals require an alkaline ph in order to form.
In the majority of the cases dogs with crystals in urine will show no signs or symptoms.
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.
They typically form because of urinary changes that happen when bladder infections occur.
Struvite stones are quite unique in their composition.
Crystals in dog s urine are a normal part of your dog s metabolism.
One of the more common bladder stones found in dogs is composed of magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate also known as struvite stones.
The affected dog may urinate every now and then.
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 in dog urine.
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.
Being composed of magnesium ammonium phosphate struvite stones require a different treatment compared to other types of bladder stones in dogs.
For instance struvite crystals are managed by making the urine more acidic.
Struvite is a mineral that s produced by bacteria in your urinary tract.
However crystals can form blockages and lead to stones.
Some will however exhibit symptoms of bladder stones such as.
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.