pH – an expression of acidity or alkalinity. It is referred to frequently in the study of urine.

In a basic urine test – which is commonly performed in a veterinary clinic, the urine pH can help us figure out several issues including:

• Is there the possibility of bladder infection (cystitis – 膀胱發炎) ?
• Should we be concerned about abnormal crystals (晶石) in the urine or worse, bladder stones (膀胱石)?
• If there were to be bladder stones – what kind is it most likely?
• Is the pet on a diet that is predominantly meat or vegetables?

pH > 7 – What does it mean?

pH 7 or more indicates alkalinity (鹼性) which is not the usual urine pH found in healthy dogs and cats. Often times, when we find a urine sample to be alkaline (pH ≥ 7) we may expect to see a specific type of urine crystal (晶石) called STRUVITE.

So what? 咁又點?

Crystals that form a 90º corners have sharp corners. So when these rectangular crytals roll around the bladder – they will very likely scratch the bladder wall causing micro-wounds all over the bladder. The more crystals, the more micro-wounds develop. When this happens too often and too long, you will start to notice abnormal urine color – hematuria (血尿)

 

What to do? 做什麼好?

Luckily, Struvite crystals can be managed medically. That means – surgery is not necessary. However – if these crystals combine to create one or more bladder stones (膀胱石), then medical management is no longer feasible. For large struvite bladder stones, surgery remains necessary.

Talk to your vet! If your pet has no bladder stones, but urine test shows the presence of struvite crystals then talk to your vet quickly! Get this sorted out as soon as possible!