Symptoms of Struvites in Dogs
Is your dog having trouble urinating? Does it frequently squat but only pass small amounts of urine? Does it show signs of pain or vocalize during urination? Is it excessively licking its genital area? Is there blood in its urine? If so, it may be suffering from a lower urinary tract issue. One possible cause to consider is the presence of struvites in dogs. These tiny crystals form sand or stones that irritate the bladder and urethra, causing these symptoms.
In male dogs, these deposits can even form a plug in the urethra, completely blocking urine flow. In this case, metabolic waste that is normally filtered by the kidneys accumulates in the blood, leading to potentially fatal poisoning within 24 to 48 hours if no intervention is made. Affected dogs will quickly become lethargic, stop eating, start vomiting, and experience abdominal pain. Even with prompt treatment, kidney and bladder damage may be irreversible.
Females are rarely affected by this urinary blockage, as their urethra is shorter and wider.
Causes and Risk Factors
Struvite crystals primarily form when the urine is alkaline (pH above 7). This is favored by genetic predisposition, poor-quality food, or insufficient hydration. Additionally, a bacterial urinary tract infection can accelerate their development.
Diagnosing Struvites
To make an accurate diagnosis, a urine analysis is essential. This will identify the crystals and detect any associated infection. An ultrasound or X-rays may also be necessary to rule out other problems, such as urinary stones or a urinary tract tumor.
Treatment and Prevention
If struvites are confirmed, a special diet is key to treatment. A specific food will help dissolve the crystals, but this process can take about three weeks. During this period, it is crucial to monitor your dog, especially a male, for any urinary blockages. If no urine is passing, an urgent veterinary consultation is necessary.
During the first month of treatment, canned food is recommended to increase water intake and dilute the urine. After that, a transition to a combination of wet and dry food is possible.
Encouraging your dog to drink more water is essential: placing multiple water bowls around the house, using ceramic, glass, or stainless steel containers, or adding ice cubes to the water are effective strategies.
It is important to maintain the diet prescribed by the veterinarian to prevent recurrence. Foods sold in supermarkets, large retail stores, or pet stores should be avoided, even if they claim to support urinary health.
Follow-up and Monitoring
A first urine analysis is recommended after one month to check the dissolution of the struvites and adjust treatment if necessary. The urinary pH should then be between 6 and 6.3. Afterward, your veterinarian will determine how often further urinary checks are needed. Ideally, the sample should be collected in the morning after a 12-hour fast.
