Are struvite stones the same as kidney stones?

Are struvite stones the same as kidney stones?

Struvite stones are a common type of urinary or kidney stones that are made of magnesium ammonium phosphate (MgNHPO4·H2O). They make up around 10 to 15 percent of all kidney stones. Struvite stones are also called infection stones because they are associated with urinary tract infections.

How do I know if my dog has struvite stones?

The most common signs that a dog has bladder stones are hematuria (blood in the urine) and dysuria (straining to urinate). Hematuria occurs because the stones rub against the bladder wall, irritating and damaging the tissue and causing bleeding.

Are struvite kidney stones?

Struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate) stones are a subset of kidney stones that form as a result of UTI with urease-producing pathogens. As such, they are often referred to as infection stones.

What are struvite stones in dogs?

What Are Struvite Stones in Dogs? Struvite stones are one of the most common types of bladder stones in dogs. Struvite is a hard mineral deposit that forms in urine when magnesium and phosphate stick together. On their own, struvite crystals in urine are relatively common and may not be a problem.

How fast can struvite stones grow in dogs?

Often patients are somehow predisposed to bladder infection which means they are also predisposed to form more struvite bladder stones. A stone can form as quickly as 2 weeks after infection with a urease positive bacterium sets in.

What foods cause struvite stones in dogs?

To decrease the chances of your dog developing bladder stones, or having them return once dissolved, you should avoid feeding foods that contain high levels of oxalate such as spinach, sweet potatoes, organ meat and brown rice.

Can you see struvite crystals?

Bladder or struvite stones, which are macroscopic (can be seen without a microscope), are best diagnosed through an X-ray. Your vet may also recommend a blood test to rule out any other medical conditions that may be causing bladder stones to form.

What causes struvite crystals in dog urine?

Struvite crystals in dogs most often form because of a urinary tract infection. Common bacteria that invade the urine create an environment with a higher (more alkaline) pH which helps the bacteria thrive. Struvite crystals form easily at higher urine pH, and struvite stones can form quickly if enough crystals develop.

What causes a struvite kidney stone?

Struvite stones are caused by an upper urinary tract infection (UTI) from bacteria. Ammonia produced as a waste product by the bacteria can make the urine less acidic (or more alkaline). Struvite stones form when the urine becomes more alkaline.

Why do dogs get struvite stones?

While struvite stones are usually caused by infection in dogs, the rest of the stones are caused by metabolic abnormalities (such as liver disease or high blood calcium), nutrient imbalances from diet or supplements, or genetic conditions that the dog or cat inherited from their parents.

What are struvite and calcium oxalate bladder stones in dogs?

Together, struvite and calcium oxalate uroliths have been found to comprise over 85% of all canine uroliths. Based on the results of tens of thousands of stone analyses, it has been found that the number of struvite bladder stones has been declining in dogs, while the number of calcium oxalate stones has been increasing during the past ten years.

What kind of stone does a dog have in its urolith?

There may be a large, single stone or a collection of stones that range in size from sand-like grains to gravel. One of the more common uroliths in the dog is composed of calcium oxalate crystals. What causes calcium oxalate bladder stones to form? The exact cause of calcium oxalate bladder stones is complex and poorly understood at this time.

Can you dissolve struvite crystals in cat urine?

Most diets designed to dissolve struvite can also be used for stone prevention. Struvite crystals in cat urine, especially in fresh samples, suggests that the cat may be at higher risk for stone development, even if there is no infection present.

What is the diet for dogs with struvite stones?

Struvite stones in dogs are usually caused by urinary tract infections and a special diet is *not* needed for dogs with struvite stones once the stones are either dissolved or surgically removed.

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