Crystals in dog urine can also be an indication of bladder or kidney infection.
Canine urinary crystals.
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.
Acute dog urinary incontinence concern can be brought on by struvite crystals forming in the dogs urine.
Urinary crystals are commonly referred to as bladder stones or urinary calculi in dogs and the condition which causes them is called urolithiasis.
In dogs they often are of no clinical significance healthy dogs can have low but detectable bilirubin levels in urine.
You can be prepared for it.
Canine urolithiasis is a condition in which crystals develop in the urine often leading to the formation of bladder stones.
It also doesn t necessarily call for medical treatment interventions such as medications.
This can include any foul or fishy urine smell or even your dog smelling like urine.
Dogs prescribed antibiotics will typically use the drugs while consuming the therapeutic dog food and possibly longer if needed.
The presence of crystals in dog s urine does not necessarily mean that the dog has or will develop kidney stones.
Still the crystals can be an indication of kidney stones or bladder stones or a urinary tract infection.
They typically form because of urinary changes that happen when bladder infections occur.
They cannot form in acidic urine.
However according to veterinarians at the marva vista animal clinic in los angeles struvite crystals require an alkaline ph in order to form.
Now you know what causes crystals in dog urine.
Struvite crystals irritate the urinary tract and trigger frequent urination.
Crystals can become bladder stones and a chronic issue if not dealt with.
Urine crystals and stones aren t always related.
Certain kinds of crystals in cat urine or dog urine may eventually lead to stone formation.
Bilirubin crystals are seen most commonly in canine urine especially in highly concentrated specimens.
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.
Urinary crystals are usually found within the bladder but can form in the kidneys or surrounding tubes called ureters or the urethra.
Keeping a close watch on your dog s bathroom habits is a great way to pick up on abnormal changes that require attention.
Struvite stones are one of the most common bladder stones in dogs and cats.
They are less common in urine of other species.
