Crystal Urates
 

Hi, It's Skeeter's Mom again. We received the results of her urinalysis and it showed that her pH was 5.5. I guess that is low but it also showed the presence of crystal urates. The vet wants to do a couple of blood tests and is concerned about her liver. :( Has anyone else had to deal with this? I would really appreciate any kind of help.

Thanks Kim

LMAO....... only had to deal with it in the people form ;)

Kim- you should contact Yorkieluv, she posted in my thread about the UTI, and she mentioned that her puppie had those in his urine. It turned out that he had a liver shunt. I don't know much about it, (sorry) but she may be able to answer some of your questions. I hope that your little baby is okay. Hugs and Kisses for her from Charlie and Bella. :hug: :hug: :kiss2: :kiss2:

Kim - I hope everything turns out OK w/ your dog. Where did you get her? Around here?

KimB, my pup also had crystals in his urine when they did a urinalysis and urine culture. By the 2nd visit to the vet, I read up on liver shunts and decided I wanted him checked for this, so I requested blood tests be done and also most importanly a bile acid test to check his liver enzymes...His liver enzymes unfortunately were over 300, normal is below 25. We found out that he does have a liver shunt. :( Please ask your vet for the bile acid test, and please keep us informed with the results. We'll be praying that skeeter doesn't have any problems with his liver. :) If you have any questions, I'll be glad to answer them!

Hello! can somebody tell me what are the symptoms of the liver shunt? what triggers you to have your dog tested for this? Thanks! :confused:

There is some info here: http://members.cox.net/jonanyorkies/livershunt.html

My yorkie actually wasn't really showing any symptoms yet except for the urine problem (which the vet acted like it was no big deal even though it was), but I read that you could get your dog bile acid tested to check his liver enzymes which could indicate a liver shunt...Unfortunately, my pup's were off the charts. A bile acid test is very affordable...I live in FL where everything's expensive and it only cost like $60 I think. It's best to go ahead and get it done even if he's not having symptoms just so you know. A lot of breeders will bile acid test their pups at 12 weeks or so (before they sell their dogs) or you can request that it be done before you get the pup. Some of the other symptoms include:
-Abnormal behavior after eating
-Pacing and aimless wandering
-Pressing the head against the wall
-Episodes of apparent blindness
-Seizures
-Poor weight gain
-Stunted growth
-Excessive sleeping and lethargy
-Straining to urinate due to bladder stone formation
-Patient with a shunt may have many clinical signs and some have only a single clinical sign
-Some dogs do not show signs until they are older*
-Weight loss and debilitation
- Loss of energy and lack of interest in normal activities, which worsens with time
- Diarrhea
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting or constipation, which can come and go
- Light tan or grey stools
- Urine is darker and can also be orange
- Stomach area gets larger due to fluid accumulation
- Skin may turn yellow, due to jaundice
- Changes in behavior such as pacing, circling or even seizures
- May show pain when pressure is applied to abdomen
- Polydipsia and Polyuria, or excess water drinking and urination
Hope this helps

Thanks for all of the help. Skeeter is actually 4 today!!! We got her a year ago from the man who sold us Jackson and Jordan. He didn't housebreak her. She was kept in a room with her mom and grandma and was skin and bones. We have worked really hard to housebreak her. She is about 95 % but she has accidents which lead us to get tests done. She is going Friday for an x-ray to see if she has any stones. She is also getting a blood test done where she has to fast and they take the blood. Then two hours later, she is fed some food and blood is taken again. Is this the test you guys mentioned. I did some research last night and some sites were saying that it can be helped by diet and distilled water. After losing Jackson, I am just really nervous. I will keep you guys posted.

Thanks for all of the help. Skeeter is actually 4 today!!! We got her a year ago from the man who sold us Jackson and Jordan. He didn't housebreak her. She was kept in a room with her mom and grandma and was skin and bones. We have worked really hard to housebreak her. She is about 95 % but she has accidents which lead us to get tests done. She is going Friday for an x-ray to see if she has any stones. She is also getting a blood test done where she has to fast and they take the blood. Then two hours later, she is fed some food and blood is taken again. Is this the test you guys mentioned. I did some research last night and some sites were saying that it can be helped by diet and distilled water. Fortunately, she is a very active pup. Getting a whole lot of sass!!!After losing Jackson, I am just really nervous. I will keep you guys posted.

Definitely give distilled water :)