Struvite Urinary Crystals In Dogs
The difference lies in the kind of crystals that form in dogs or cats and how they can adversely affect these pets.
Struvite urinary crystals in dogs. 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. However according to veterinarians at the marva vista animal clinic in los angeles struvite crystals require an alkaline ph in order to form. They typically form because of urinary changes that happen when bladder infections occur. Struvite stones are one of the most common bladder stones in dogs and cats.
Dogs displaying any clinical signs of urinary tract infections such as frequent urination urinating in unusual places painful urination or the presence of blood in the urine should be evaluated immediately. 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. Dogs and cats are different in many ways but both seem predisposed to urine crystal formation. The crystals themselves are nearly identical.
They cannot form in acidic urine.