Crystals in the Urine in Dogs

Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 09/30/2015Updated: 11/15/2022
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
Crystals in the Urine in Dogs - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost

What are Crystals in the Urine?

Crystalluria is the presence of crystals in the urine. Crystals are concentrates of naturally occurring minerals in your dog’s urine. There are different types of crystals, and they can lead to different types of bladder stones: magnesium ammonium phosphate (struvite), calcium oxalate, ammonium urate or uric acid, cysteine, calcium phosphate, and silica are the most commonly seen in dogs.

Crystals are the building blocks of bladder stones; however, the presence of crystals doesn’t guarantee that bladder stones will develop and crystals may be present in the urine of healthy dogs. Additionally, crystals are a risk factor for kidney stones. Identification of urine crystals is important, as certain types of crystals can indicate certain underlying diseases. Identification can help detect disorders that predispose dogs to develop kidney stones.

 Certain breeds are more susceptible to certain crystals: Miniature Schnauzers, Yorkshire Terriers, Lhasa Apsos and Miniature Poodles to calcium oxalate; Dachshunds, English Bulldogs and Newfoundlands to cysteine; Dalmations and English Bulldogs to ammonium urate or uric acid; Miniature Schnauzers, Shih Tzus, Bichon Frises, Miniature Poodles, Cocker Spaniels and Lhasa Apsos to struvite crystals.

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Crystals in the Urine Average Cost

From 61 quotes ranging from $300 - $3,500

Average Cost

$1,000

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Symptoms of Crystals in the Urine in Dogs

In many cases, your pet will not exhibit any symptoms of crystals in the urine. However, you may see the following symptoms of bladder stones, especially if the crystals have developed into stones:

  • Frequent urination
  • Trouble urinating
  • Irregular urine stream
  • Increased thirst
  • Blood in the urine
Types

Different types of crystals can form from different mineral concentrations. Types of urine crystals include:

  • Magnesium ammonium phosphate (struvite)
  • Calcium oxalate
  • Ammonium urate, or uric acide
  • Cysteine
  • Calcium Phosphate
  • Silica

Causes of Crystals in the Urine in Dogs

Crystals in a dog’s urine may be caused by one of the following:

  • A diet of highly processed dog foods that may lead to abnormal urinary pH levels
  • Timing of sample collection; for instance, a sample taken after a meal may have higher concentrations than a sample taken during fasting.
  • Imbalanced urine pH.
  • Abnormal concentrations of certain minerals in urine, which can be caused by changes in rate of excretion and urine concentration.
  • Lack of solubility of crystallogenic substances in the urine. Urine that is too concentrated can pose a risk.
  • Certain medications that can affect mineral concentrations in urine.
  • Refrigeration of the sample after collection
  • Genetics
  • Poisoning, such as from ethylene glycol

Diagnosis of Crystals in the Urine in Dogs

Presence of crystals will be determined by a urinalysis. Your dog’s urine will be tested for its pH and the mineral content will be analyzed microscopically. Additionally, samples will be viewed under microscope in order to confirm the type of crystals in your dog’s urine. If stones are suspected, an x-ray or ultrasound may also be performed in order to detect stones.

Treatment of Crystals in the Urine in Dogs

The presence of crystals in your dog’s urine does not necessarily mean your dog needs medical treatment. If your dog is showing no symptoms, we may simple keep an eye on things. Crystals in dog’s urine are a normal part of your dog’s metabolism. However, crystals can form blockages and lead to stones. The veterinarian will determine if your dog needs medical treatment. In some cases, this requires adjusting the pH of your dog’s urine. For instance, struvite crystals are managed by making the urine more acidic, and calcium oxalate crystals are managed by making the urine more alkaline. The pH is adjusted through prescription diet. In all cases, increasing your dog’s consumption of water in order to increase urine volume is recommended. Many prescription diets contained added sodium to increase thirst.

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Recovery of Crystals in the Urine in Dogs

Follow the veterinarian’s recommendation for your dog’s diet. Closely monitor your dog for the development of urinary stones. Take your dog back to the veterinarian when recommended in order to monitor the presence and/or levels of crystals in your dog’s urine. In the case of pH management, obtain strips to test the pH level of your dog’s urine at home, in order to monitor the success of the prescription diet. Most importantly, make sure plentiful, clean water is always available to your dog.

Blockages due to crystalluria can be expensive to treat. If you suspect your dog has a blockage due to crystalluria or is at risk, start searching for pet insurance today. Brought to you by Pet Insurer, Wag! Wellness lets pet parents compare insurance plans from leading companies like PetPlan and Embrace. Find the “pawfect” plan for your pet in just a few clicks!

Crystals in the Urine Average Cost

From 61 quotes ranging from $300 - $3,500

Average Cost

$1,000

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Crystals in the Urine Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals

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Shih Tzu

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Harley

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8 Years

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My male shih tzu is 8 years old and he started peeing blood and dribbling a few weeks ago. I started giving him cranberry as I suspected a UTI and I took a dark yellow urine sample to his vet for a urinalysis, which she said she found an e.coli rod and one crystal. She's prescribed Baytril for a week and a follow-up urinalysis after his round of antibiotics. While on the antibiotics, he almost completely lost his appetite and would barely eat. At his follow-up urinalysis, the vet found no presence of anymore bacteria or UTI, but she found more crystals and recommended x rays and a possible prescription s/d or s/o diet or surgery. The x rays would cost me $200 on top of almost $500 I've already spent on checkups, vaccs, medications, etc. just a few days before I found blood in his urine, so I can't afford them right now. Would it be okay to put him on a prescription diet and monitor his pH levels at hone without the x rays right now? I hate taking a shot in the dark without the x rays, but I'm scared the blood in his urine will come back and the crystals will get worse. He's been off of his antibiotics for a few days now and he's showing no problems with urinating or eating now. His urine is light translucent yellow and he's drinking water regularly. He seems energized and happy, but his crystals aren't gone. What can I do to help him?

July 1, 2018

Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM

0 Recommendations

Putting Harley on the S/O diet would be a reasonable alternative treatment for him, as that food maintains a neutral pH. You may be able to manage this problem that way, and the only downside to not having x-rays is that you won't know if there is a stone that is causing this problem. Male dogs are prone to urinary blockages if they do have bladder stones, so you'll need to monitor him for any signs of difficulty urinating, as well, just in case.

July 1, 2018

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Golden Retriever

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M

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6 Months

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My pet has the following symptoms:
Urination Pain
Urination Pain Crysta
Took our 6 month old golden to get neutered. There was no overnight care, I was told he was taken out but he did urinate in his kennel vet. When picked up he was excited and urinated dark in the vet office. Tested positive for blood and crystals. 2 days later no blood but crystals are still there. I assume they did not walk him (good assumption???) Now he pees and ties again soon as he is done with a few more drops. Cranberry pils and more water ??? They said they can do a culture and I will pay more. But wasn’t this something they cause by not attending to my dog overnight ? Any other solutions?

May 2, 2018

Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM

0 Recommendations

I'm not sure if he had any signs of an infection in addition to the crystals in his urinalysis, but he may need antibiotic therapy. One night of withholding urine in a healthy 6 month old dog should not cause dramatic changes, but there may be some inflammation related to the surgery. It would be a good idea to call your veterinarian, see if there were signs of infection, and monitor him for improvement.

May 2, 2018

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Crystals in the Urine Average Cost

From 61 quotes ranging from $300 - $3,500

Average Cost

$1,000

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