What causes dog Struvites?
If the urine becomes exceptionally concentrated or if it becomes alkaline (opposite to acidic), struvite crystals will precipitate or fall out of solution. In dogs, struvite bladder stones usually form as a complication of a bladder infection caused by bacteria that produce an enzyme known as urease.
What pH do struvite crystals form in?
Common crystals
| Crystal | pH |
|---|---|
| Bilirubin | Acidic: pH < 7 |
| Calcium carbonate | Usually alkaline: pH ≥ 7 |
| Calcium oxalate dihydrate | Usually neutral to acidic: pH ≤ 7 |
| Magnesium ammonium phosphate (struvite) | Usually neutral to alkaline: pH ≥ 7 |
What antibiotic is used for struvite stones?
All patients are eligible for an initial regimen of antibiotics—such as amox-clavulanate, cefixime, or ciprofloxacin—if struvite stone is suspected prior to removal.
What should the pH of urine be for struvite crystals?
The best line of defense (and prevention) is a complete and balanced wet diet that promotes the formation of dilute and mildly acidic (pH of around 6.2 to 6.4) urine.
How to prevent the recurrence of struvite crystals?
How to Prevent Recurrence of Struvite Crystals. The best line of defense (and prevention) is a balanced raw meat diet that should help eliminate struvite crystals and prevent them from recurring. This will encourage a more natural pH in the urine.
Can a dog get struvite crystals from an infection?
Struvite crystalluria in dogs is not a problem unless there is a concurrent bacterial urinary tract infection with a urease-producing microbe. Without an infection, struvite crystals in dogs will not be associated with struvite urolith formation.”
How can I get rid of struvite stones in my urine?
These diets typically are restricted in protein, phosphorus and magnesium and are formulated to promote formation of acidic urine (with a pH less than 6.5). This formulation helps dissolve struvite stones that are already present in the urine, and prevents formation of further stones.
Can a urinary tract infection cause a struvite stone?
Having a urinary tract infection can make your urine alkaline. Struvite stones often form in women who have a urinary tract infection. How are these stones diagnosed? Your doctor will do one or more of the following tests to help diagnose the cause of your symptoms, and find out if you have struvite stones: Blood tests.
The best line of defense (and prevention) is a complete and balanced wet diet that promotes the formation of dilute and mildly acidic (pH of around 6.2 to 6.4) urine.
Can a diet prevent the growth of struvite stones?
Diet may not be effective at preventing struvite stones because they’re caused by infections. But certain fluids may make the environment in your urinary tract more inhospitable to stone growth. These include: As well, try to drink extra fluids. Crystals are less likely to form in dilute (watery) urine.
What kind of bacteria is involved in struvite formation?
An alkaline urine (pH 7), urease-producing bacteria in the urine, and large stones suggest the diagnosis of struvite nephrolithiasis.73. A number of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria have been implicated in urease production and consequent struvite formation; the most common are Proteus species (see Fig. 57.16).