Urine Crystals Veterinary

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.

Urine crystals veterinary.

Vets and owners should be aware that a large number of crystals can naturally form in a urine sample that has been left standing especially if in the fridge. During your pet s workup your vet may take a urine sample perform x rays perform a urinalysis run blood work and more to identify just what s causing your pet s issues. Because small uroliths may not be detected radiographically the calculolytic diet should be continued for 4 wk after radiographic documentation of urolith dissolution. Canine urolithiasis is a condition in which crystals develop in the urine often leading to the formation of bladder stones.

The inability of uric acid to crystallize at urine ph 7 0 is the rationale for urinary alkalinization in patients at risk for acute uric acid nephropathy. The crystals shown in the image on the right were seen in the urine of a cat with acute renal failure due to melamine toxicosis. This is a test not typically done unless there is suspicion of a problem. Urinalysis is an important laboratory test that can be readily performed in veterinary practice and is considered part of a minimum database.

By analyzing the different types of crystals present your vet may be able to determine a treatment plan that s appropriate for your pet. So what to look out for and what things should you inform your vet about. Uric acid crystals invariably form in acidic urine typically with a urine ph 5 5. In some cases it is more important to treat a pet s underlying condition first.

The clinical relevance of such crystals is questionable but drug or chemical toxicity should always be considered in an animal presenting with clinical signs of renal failure and unidentified crystals in the urine. It is useful to document various types of urinary tract diseases and may provide information about other systemic diseases such as liver failure and hemolysis. There are several symptoms that can point towards crystals in the urine. Struvite crystals should not form if therapy has been effective in producing urine that is undersaturated with magnesium ammonium and phosphate.

Uric acid is soluble in alkaline urine preventing the precipitation of urate crystals. Once a vet identifies urinary crystals in dog urine or cat urine the next step is to assess whether the crystals are likely to cause a problem.