Canine Urine 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.

Canine urine crystals.

In dogs they often are of no clinical significance healthy dogs can have low but detectable bilirubin levels in urine. Urine crystals and stones aren t always related. Crystals in dog s urine may be caused by one of the following. They are less common in urine of other species.

Now you know what causes crystals in dog urine. A diet of highly processed dog food and or foods high in grains and other fillers. Timing of sample collection. Urinary crystals form slowly as mineral deposits build up in the bladder.

The crystals are painful and uncomfortable dangerously blocking the flow of urine. Dogs of any age size and breed can suffer from urinary crystals. The cause of crystals in cats and dogs depend on the kind of crystal your veterinarian finds. Treatment for dog urine crystals.

For instance a sample taken after a meal may have higher concentrations than a sample taken during fasting. 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. 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.

You can be prepared for it. 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. 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. Canine urolithiasis is a condition in which crystals develop in the urine often leading to the formation of bladder stones.

Certain kinds of crystals in cat urine or dog urine may eventually lead to stone formation. In general crystals are found when an abundance of certain compounds are excreted by the kidneys. After the vet has determined the type and number of stones or crystals that are present treatment will commence. Crystals in dog urine can also be an indication of bladder or kidney infection.

If the stones can be easily dissolved the vet will prescribe certain medications. You will be asked to feed the dog a special diet that will assist in dissolving the crystals. This can include any foul or fishy urine smell or even your dog smelling like urine.