Canine Urine Crystals

If enough crystals build up in your dog s bladder they form a bladder stone which may.

Canine urine crystals. 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. Crystals in dog s urine may be caused by one of the following. 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. After the vet has determined the type and number of stones or crystals that are present treatment will commence.

Certain kinds of crystals in cat urine or dog urine may eventually lead to stone formation. 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. Keeping a close watch on your dog s bathroom habits is a great way to pick up on abnormal changes that require attention. Bilirubin crystals are seen most commonly in canine urine especially in highly concentrated specimens.

Now you know what causes crystals in dog urine. 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. 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. Urine crystals and stones aren t always related.

In dogs they often are of no clinical significance healthy dogs can have low but detectable bilirubin levels in urine. Crystals in dog urine can also be an indication of bladder or kidney infection. For instance a sample taken after a meal may have higher concentrations than a sample taken during fasting. This can include any foul or fishy urine smell or even your dog smelling like urine.

They are less common in urine of other species. The crystals are painful and uncomfortable dangerously blocking the flow of urine. Canine urolithiasis is a condition in which crystals develop in the urine often leading to the formation of bladder stones. If the stones can be easily dissolved the vet will prescribe certain medications.

The cause of crystals in cats and dogs depend on the kind of crystal your veterinarian finds. Inning accordance with the merck veterinary manual 2005 struvite crystals are commonly observed in canine and feline urine. Timing of sample collection. In general crystals are found when an abundance of certain compounds are excreted by the kidneys.

Urinary crystals form slowly as mineral deposits build up in the bladder. You will be asked to feed the dog a special diet that will assist in dissolving the crystals. Dogs of any age size and breed can suffer from urinary crystals.