The Canine Struvite Diet

Struvite bladder stones are an uncomfortable and potentially fatal problem in dogs. They take up space in the bladder, creating a constant feeling of fullness. They can also block the urethra, causing uremic poisoning and even kidney failure. Serious cases may require surgery or other invasive procedures, but stones may also be dissolved using the correct diet.

  1. Acidification

    • The typical canine struvite diet, also called a calculolytic diet, raises the level of acid in the urine. This increases the chance that struvite bladder stones will dissolve in the urine and be passed as a liquid. A diet of this kind can also prevent the formation of new stones by keeping struvite from crystallizing. According to the Canadian Veterinary Journal, a calculolytic diet usually takes between 2 and 14 weeks to completely dissolve the stones, depending on whether an infection is also present.

    Minerals

    • Calculolytic diets used to treat struvite bladder stones usually reduce levels of some minerals, such as phosphorus and magnesium, and increase levels of sodium. Phosphorus and magnesium combine in the urine to form struvite, so it's wise to avoid high levels of these minerals. Sodium encourages drinking and urination, and may help dissolve existing crystals.

    Considerations

    • Most canine struvite diets work to provide less chance for bacteria to grow in order to reduce the incidence of infection-caused stones. These diets are low in protein but tend to be high in fat content to provide the calories each dog needs. Breeds with a predisposition toward pancreatitis, kidney insufficiency or sensitivity to fat intake should avoid this type of diet. A calculolytic diet is also often high in sodium, which may cause problems for dogs with high blood pressure.

    Warning

    • A canine struvite diet may not be right for dogs taking urinary acidifiers or for growing puppies, which may not get the right dietary balance. Females that are pregnant or lactating should avoid this type of food, which does not provide the nutrition needed to help support a litter. These animals may require an alternate approach to treat their bladder stones.

    Infection

    • In some cases, struvite bladder stones are the result of a urinary tract infection. These stones can be treated using diet or treated with antibiotic therapy if a dog should not use a calculolytic diet. If a normal diet is used, the treating veterinarian should take care to perform regular urine cultures and monitor urine pH. If any trace of the infection remains, the stones may come back.