Canine Urine Crystals

You can be prepared for it.

Canine urine crystals.

In general crystals are found when an abundance of certain compounds are excreted by the kidneys. These crystals can be found in the urine of an estimated 40 to 44 percent of all healthy dogs and are not a cause for issue unless accompanied by signs of a urinary tract infection. If enough crystals build up in your dog s bladder they form a bladder stone which may. In dogs they often are of no clinical significance healthy dogs can have low but detectable bilirubin levels in urine.

Crystalluria in individuals with anatomically and functionally normal urinary tracts may be harmless because the crystals are eliminated before they grow large enough to interfere with normal urinary function. Inning accordance with the merck veterinary manual 2005 struvite crystals are commonly observed in canine and feline urine. Depending on the mineral makeup of the stones a calculoytic diet is recommended by veterinarians to dissolve and or prevent recurrence of certain types of crystals and bladder stones. The cause of crystals in cats and dogs depend on the kind of crystal your veterinarian finds.

Canine urolithiasis is a condition in which crystals develop in the urine often leading to the formation of bladder stones. Now you know what causes crystals in dog urine. Timing of sample collection. According to the whole dog journal crystals in dog s urine are a common finding affecting as much as 40 44 percent of all health pooches.

For instance a sample taken after a meal may have higher concentrations than a sample taken during fasting. Dogs of any age size and breed can suffer from urinary crystals. Bilirubin crystals are seen most commonly in canine urine especially in highly concentrated specimens. As the building blocks for kidney stones renal stones urine crystals can over time join to form small grains that look like sand in the kidneys ureter bladder or urethra.

Urinary crystals form slowly as mineral deposits build up in the bladder. The crystals are painful and uncomfortable dangerously blocking the flow of urine. Urine crystals and stones aren t always related. Crystals in dog urine can also be an indication of bladder or kidney infection.

They are less common in urine of other species. If the stones can be easily dissolved the vet will prescribe certain medications. A diet of highly processed dog food and or foods high in grains and other fillers. Crystals in dog s urine may be caused by one of the following.

You will be asked to feed the dog a special diet that will assist in dissolving the crystals. Keeping a close watch on your dog s bathroom habits is a great way to pick up on abnormal changes that require attention. Certain kinds of crystals in cat urine or dog urine may eventually lead to stone formation.