Calcium oxalate: Pets excreting too much calcium or oxalic acid in their urine can form these crystals.
These can also be found in normal urine, particularly if it's acidic or refrigerated
. These crystals can also indicate infection if the pH in the urine is low and can be associated with calcium oxalate stones.
How do you get rid of calcium oxalate crystals in dogs?
For the majority of dogs, calcium oxalate stones are removed
via surgery
, which is considered the simplest, most direct way to remove them. While there can be other options to remove stones (see below) surgery tends to be the only option when stones are bigger and when there are a lot of them.
Can calcium oxalate crystals be normal?
The presence of calcium oxalate crystals is very common and generally has little clinical significance
. They are found in urine with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Can calcium oxalate crystals be dissolved in dogs?
Calcium oxalate stones frequently occur in certain breeds of dog (e.g. Yorkies, miniature schnauzers, shih tzus) and also in cats.
They cannot be dissolved
and have to be removed, usually with surgery. Calcium oxalate crystals can suggest an increased risk of stone formation in both dogs and cats.
How do you treat crystals in dog's urine naturally?
Many dogs with struvite stones respond well to regular
apple cider vinegar (ACV)
. Again, it helps acidify your dog's urine to discourage struvite stones from forming. Buy raw, organic unfiltered ACV. Mix it with your dog's food (or water, if she likes it), in these amounts according to weight.
What foods cause crystals in dog urine?
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 a dog live with bladder stones?
They may look like rocks or crystals, and can come as large as a piece of gravel. Fortunately, bladder stones in dogs are highly treatable, but they can be extremely painful for your dog, and
when left untreated, they might create a blockage in your dog's urethra. This could be life-threatening
.
What does presence of calcium oxalate in urine indicate?
Calcium oxalate crystals are heavily associated with
kidney stones
, which can form when too much oxalate (found in such foods as spinach) is in the system. Kidney stone symptoms include severe groin or abdominal pain, nausea, fever, and difficulty passing urine.
What foods cause calcium oxalate stones in dogs?
Avoid feeding Fido foods high in oxalates if your dog has been diagnosed with calcium oxalate stones in the past because they can contribute to their formation. These include
beets, carrots, celery, kale, okra, spinach and collard greens
, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
How do you prevent calcium oxalate crystals in urine?
- Drink enough fluids. The number one thing you can do is to drink enough fluids, like water. …
- Avoid eating too much protein. …
- Eat less salt (sodium). …
- Include the right amount of calcium in your diet. …
- Avoid vitamin C supplements. …
- Eat less oxalate-rich foods.
Does calcium oxalate crystals in urine mean kidney stones?
Too much oxalate in the body can cause some serious health problems.
An excess amount of oxalate can combine with calcium in the urine and cause kidney stones and crystals to form
. Recurrent kidney stones and crystals can damage the kidney and lead to kidney failure.
What are symptoms of high oxalates?
- painful bowel movements.
- grainy stools.
- skin rashes or hives.
- mood changes.
- fatigue.
- dizziness.
- painful urination.
- difficulty focusing.
What to feed dogs with urinary problems?
A raw diet with high protein content
can be an ideal solution for a dog with urinary tract issues. Raw food, especially a higher pH and higher-protein raw food, is typically the best all-around diet for dogs, and it can help treat and prevent urinary tract diseases.
Do carrots cause bladder stones in dogs?
Do not feed carrots to pets with a history of kidney or bladder stones
, or to those prone to developing crystals in their urine. Carrots are high in oxalates and can cause the formation of stones.
Are Greenies good for dogs with bladder stones?
Avoid non-alkaline vegetables such as strawberries, carrots, celery, collards and leeks if they have calcium oxalate bladder stones
. These vegetables will disrupt the proper urinary pH and may result in additional calcium oxalate crystals forming.
How do you dissolve calcium oxalate stones?
In this study
hexametaphosphate (HMP)
, a potent calcium chelator, was found to be 12 times more effective at dissolving calcium oxalate, the primary component of kidney stones, than citrate.
What causes sulfa crystals in urine?
Dehydration (not drinking enough water). Eating large amounts of certain foods, including protein, salt, fruits and vegetables. Medications such as amoxicillin, acyclovir, sulfonamides, atazanavir and methotrexoate. Urinary tract infections.
