What Are the Treatments for Struvite Crystals?

Struvite crystals are a combination of minerals such as ammonium, magnesium and phosphate that can form in your pet's urinary tract. This obstruction, typically found in cats and dogs, can cause pain and at its worst, complete blockage. While dog and cat foods have been changed in the last few decades to attempt to remedy this problem, it still occurs frequently. If you notice something wrong with your pet's urination you should visit a veterinarian immediately.

Change in Diet

• Struvite crystals are in part caused by an alkaline (basic pH) concentration of the urine. According to "Cat Nutrition," many commercial pet foods, especially dry foods, tend to have more carbohydrates than a pet can properly digest, leading to this alkaline urine problem. Feeding your cat wet food, which is higher in protein and fat, may begin to solve the issue. Specific diets for the problem include Royal Canin Dissolution, Purina CNM UR-Formula and Royal Canin Urinary SO.

Increased Water

• Lack of water in the diet can also lead to the formation of struvite crystals. Wet food helps, but bowls should be placed around the house to ensure that your pet has fresh drinking water whenever he needs it. This will lead to more frequent urination and less concentrated urine, two factors that may reduce crystal formation, according to "Pet Education."

Stress Reduction

• Stressful situations such as going to the veterinarian, moving or an unfriendly animal roommate can lead to a fluctuation in urinary pH, according to "Marvista Vet." Cats or dogs with extremely high stress may be prescribed an anti-anxiety medication such as amitriptylline. This medication also has anti-inflammatory properties which may shrink the size of crystals.

Urohydropropulsion

• Urohydropropulsion is a veterinary procedure that attempts to break loose crystals using water. The animal is put under anesthesia and the doctor inserts a urinary catheter and forces sterile saline into the bladder. The doctor manually compresses the bladder, forcing out smaller stones. This treatment may not be effective for larger crystal blockages.

Surgery

• Surgery is sometimes the only option. The vet performs a cystotomy, opening the bladder and removing the stones.