URINE -STRUVITE CRYSTALS

Recently there were some questions about  Struvite Crystals in a dogs bladder. I have never heard of this, have you? I wonder how common this is?  What are Struvite Crystals? How are they treated?

How are they diagnosed?

THE QUESTION?
" I'm asking for info/suggestions about struvite crystals in the urine because they were found yesterday in my Boston's routine check up. He's about 3 years old, no observable problems, exam was good, blood and stool samples still out. Eats a commercial raw diet (Bravo). Gets a pre/probiotic in his food, gets an egg 1-2 x wkly, odds and ends of other things like yogurt, green tripe, bully sticks, training treats, banana stuffed Kongs. Vet suggested I get him to drink more daily (easy to mix water with his raw food) and in talking about what the commercial struvite diets do that my current diet isn't, she suggested adding even more protein to his diet (raw is high in protein compared to most kibbles). He's trim, muscular, good coat, clear eyes.  In addition to water, I added a tsp of unsweetened cranberry juice to his b'fast. But I'm not sure if acidifying his food actually matters once the digestive juices have gone to work ??? "

 Our friends on social media responded to this recent question with this:

 E M S commented "just like humans, cranberry pills can help with bladder issues in dogs. Also, she could try feeding a raw diet or at least a grain-free, high quality kibble - I like Canidae and Origen kibble. "
Another Social Media friend add more  "Have the crystals been sent out to see exactly what type they are? She may end up needing I've antibiotics."
Oh so there are different kinds too!
Confirmed by another friend J. Seago "They have to find out the kind of crystals and then can have food adjusted."
L A Wiggins added to our knowledge "Dalmations are prone to a certain crystal, Auburn University,(Alabama) is a great place for 1st, 2nd or 3rd opinion and treatment. There are many diets out there that alter the pH of the urine (different crystals thrive in different pH).
C. S. added another place to take a dog."So is Texas A & M or Davis"
K B L "Ann is right-..my best friend is a vet and helped us with our Boston- rule out stone and UTI, identify the crystal type, change pH mostly through diet and/or cranberry (that acidifies urine)."
V. G. "... when my bt developed crystals my vet put her on uroeze. Keeps from having to have a special diet. There is also a product called berry balance which helps with urinary issues."
Another Concerned friend responded CR "...I'm trying to avoid the stone/crystal special foods as most of them (all probably) compromise nutrition to varying degrees. However, if what I'm currently feeding promotes crystals for him, then I do indeed have to change his diet! Such a quandary. Even the vet was surprised to see crystals in a raw fed dog and suggested adding more liquid, maybe more protein, and rechecking in 2-3 months. "
Chris wrote: "Change his diet, stop using tap water, water left out for 24 hours or filtered is best also this will change his ph. Struvite crystals lead to bladder or kidney stones. Cranberries, juice or dried berries will help remove them and dogs love them. What food is he eating? Try wetting the dry food with a bit of water and cranberry juice."
The concerned dog owner responded "...Chris, thank you! He's been eating raw (which usually doesn't lead to struvite crystals). Bravo frozen brand, ground. Variety of protein sources. Could try switching him to something like Evo (grain free) if the extra water and cranberry don't reverse this. pH in recent urinalysis was 8. A year ago was 7. Started adding extra water (about 1/4-1/3 cup) plus 1/4 tsp unsweetened cranberry juice daily. Am still looking for unsweetened dried berries. Maybe whole foods will have them.
Question 1: Think I should add more cranberry juice than 1/4 teaspoon/day? Can't imagine asking him to drink more water than an extra 1/4 to 1/3 cup a day since raw food is already liquid filled.
Planning to do another urinalysis in 2 months.
Question 2: IF there were stones and this approach is dissolving them, would I expect to see crystals and elevated pH continuing til they are all dissolved?  Will switch to filtered water or tap water that sits for 24 hours before serving, that's easy. "
C.R brought up this also. " Going to think about this...am wondering if maybe the urine sample sat around at room temp long enough at the vet's for the crystals to form. I caught the sample in their parking lot on the way in so it didn't sit around with me...but before I do too much intervention, I think I may have them recheck. Raw...no UTIs...probably the crystals are real but if they aren't, then if I do too much cranberry and other changes, I could push his system into creating the other kind of crystals.
C.C. responds " I've never heard of raw causing crystals at all. In fact it's the most highly recommended food to change to if you find crystals. Unless there is something in the processing that uses highly treated tap or other water that is just odd. It could be just your tap water.
I'd give him more than a 1/4 cup of unsweetened juice daily but not so much that he won't drink. Usually they love the juice. Unsweetened berries can be found at most markets and would add more of the juice to his diet. Frozen berries are an option. If you can't find the unsweetened dry berries there are capsules with organic unsweetened cranberries you can open and add the powder to his food or just give him the capsules in cream cheese or whatever you put pills in. The juice comes in an organic unsweetened concentrate which would give him more cranberry than the juice. Depending on weight I'd give him a tablespoon of the concentrate daily. I should have added to the last note that the best way I know to fix ph issues is Corral Calcium. I give 1000mgs a day to any with urinary issues and my seniors (who tend to have ph issues) 1000mgs (which usually has 400 to 500mgs of Corral Calcium and the rest other vitamins, a day will straighten his ph pdq. It varies in price but a good human brand is available at Sam's or other big box stores.

 
SO WHAT IS THE CAUSES?

Struvite crystals can form in your dog’s bladder or kidneys after he suffers a urinary tract infection caused by one of two types of bacteria. If left untreated, struvite crystals can form stones that can make it impossible for your dog to urinate, which can become a life-threatening condition.

Struvite crystals form in your dog’s urinary system after he contracts an infection caused by staphylococcus or proteus bacteria. These bacteria cause magnesium, ammonia and phosphates in your dog’s urine to come together to form crystals. As the crystals grow, they can develop into stones, or they can remain as sandy crystals that can irritate your dog’s bladder and urinary tract.
The bacteria can also make your dog’s urine more alkaline, which creates a better environment for crystal growth. Alkaline urine (urine with a pH level above 7.0) causes the crystals to solidify out of urine, while acidic urine (urine with a pH level below 7.0) retards crystal formation.¹

What Breeds are more likely to get them?

While bladder stones are somewhat common in dogs, urate stones constitute only about 5% of all bladder stones diagnosed. Breeds most commonly diagnosed with urate bladder stones include Dalmatians, English bulldogs, and Black Russian terriers.

Preventing the crystals or the stones that they develop into.

 1. Make sure your dog has plenty of fresh, clean water to drink in order to prevent struvite crystals. One of the main causes of struvite crystals in dogs is dehydration. Don't give your dog tap water because it is contaminated with many harmful chemicals. Give your dog filtered water because it is chemical-free and can assist your dog in flushing out harmful bacteria and toxins and decreasing inflammation.
2. Avoid giving your dog commercial food, full of artificial ingredients such as colorings and preservatives that are harmful to your dog's health. Avoid commercial dog food is that it is packed with carbohydrate-rich grains. Eating too many grains can alter the pH level of your dog's urine and make your dog more susceptible to forming struvite crystals.3. One of the biggest steps in preventing struvite crystals that you must take is to make sure your dog gets enough exercise. Exercise helps to maintain your dog's overall good health and is also helpful in stress relief. Take your dog out on a walk at least twice a day.4. Make sure your dog always has a place to urinate. By taking him out on frequent walks you can be sure that he has plenty of opportunities to urinate. You should also designate an area inside the home as a place for him to urinate if you are outside of the home for long periods. If he holds his urine in for too long he can get struvite crystals more easily.

5. If your dog is prone to struvite crystals you may want to talk to your vet about a special diet. If you are like me interested in making dog food at home then you may want to try these recipes.

What is filtered water ? how is this different than tap water?
Water filters remove more dangerous contaminants than any other purification method, and they are uniquely designed to work with municipally treated water. The water they produce is not subject to phthalate contamination, and they are able to remove cryptosporidium from drinking water, a feat that neither municipal water treatment plants nor bottled water companies have yet managed. Also, drinking filtered water is a much more economical practice than drinking bottled water. The pure water product of a water filter costs very little more than untreated tap water. Furthermore, because water filters use no more energy than is already required to propel water through a home’s plumbing system, they circumvent several of the environmental problems of the bottled water industry. ²

Beef and Rice Diet
1/2 pound very lean beef (raw or lightly cooked)
1 egg, large hard boiled
2 cups brown rice, long grained, cooked
1 tablespoon nutritional or brewers yeast (available at health food stores)
1/2 teaspoon Sea Calcium
1 scoop Green Power (a Organic commercial supplement from Natural Canine see below for list of ingredients )
1 teaspoon Flax Oil
Supports the caloric needs of a 30 pound dog - 40.7 grams protein, 22 grams fat - about 800 calories

Oxalate Stone Diet
 Black-Eyed Peas and Potato Diet
1 cup black-eyed peas, canned (organic and no added sodium)
2 cups potato, cooked with skin (may be boiled, steamed or baked - cut into small pieces- leave skin on)
1 teaspoon Flax oil
1/2 teaspoon sea calcium
1 scoop Green Power herbal
Pinch of sea salt (sodium chloride)
Provides 598 kcals, 19.4 grams protein, 14.6 grams fat, calcium at 61%, phos at 98%, sodium at 34%, vit D at 70% Supports the caloric needs of a 15-18 pound dog.

NOTE: BTN  is not familiar with this company or the supplemental product, suggested in the recipe above, we share this for informational purposes only.

Ingredients
Org Alfalfa Leaf Juice Powder 24.30%
 Org Wheat Grass Whole Leaf 13.31%
 Org Oat Grass Whole Leaf 13.32%
 Org Barley Grass Whole Leaf 13.32%
 Org Spirulina 6.64%
 Org Chlorella 6.64%
 Org Dulse 5.60%
 Org Parsley 3.50%
 Org Spinach 3.50%
 Org Kale 3.50%
 Org Dandelion Leaf 3.36%
 Org Broccoli 2.00%
 Org Cilantro 1.00%¹

¹Natural Canine

 ²allaboutwater.org