Urine Crystals Veterinary

Uric acid is soluble in alkaline urine preventing the precipitation of urate crystals.

Urine crystals veterinary.

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. 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. 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.

In some cases it is more important to treat a pet s underlying condition first. 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. So if an owner brings in a urine sample that was taken yesterday and was kept in the fridge overnight the vet is sure to find lots of crystals whether or not the cat is forming them. By analyzing the different types of crystals present your vet may be able to determine a treatment plan that s appropriate for your pet.

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. Canine urolithiasis is a condition in which crystals develop in the urine often leading to the formation of bladder stones. Because small uroliths may not be detected radiographically the calculolytic diet should be continued for 4 wk after radiographic documentation of urolith dissolution. This is a test not typically done unless there is suspicion of a problem.

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. 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. 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. Struvite crystals should not form if therapy has been effective in producing urine that is undersaturated with magnesium ammonium and phosphate.

Urinalysis is an important laboratory test that can be readily performed in veterinary practice and is considered part of a minimum database. For crystals that may lead to stone formation or urinary obstruction dissolving or eliminating them is a higher priority.