What it is
Cystine is one of the building blocks of protein. Healthy kidneys filter it out of the blood and then draw it back in before the urine leaves the body. In cystinuria an inherited fault breaks that reclaiming step, so cystine stays in the urine, where it dissolves poorly. In acidic, concentrated urine it settles out as flat, six-sided crystals that can clump together into stones.
The fault is there from birth, but stones take time to build up, so trouble may only appear once the dog is grown. Males face a greater risk of a blockage, because their urethra is longer and narrower.
Living with a dog that has cystinuria means keeping an eye on its toilet habits. On each walk, take a moment to see how your dog urinates and what the urine looks like: noticing a change early matters far more than any single day's worry.
Signs you may notice
- Asks to go out more
- Strains to pass urine
- Passes only drops
- Blood in the urine
- Licks the genital area
- Squats but nothing comes out
You may notice the dog asking to go out more, straining for a long time but passing only a few drops, or blood in the urine. If the dog tries to urinate but nothing comes out, don't wait: take it to a vet right away.
When to see a vet
A dog that strains but cannot pass any urine needs a vet immediately. Book a visit for blood in the urine or straining that comes and goes.
This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.