Urine Crystals

Front 1

Amorphous Phosphate Crystals

Back 1

- alkaline crystals
- precipitate after refrigeration
- heavy white sediment

Front 2

Triple Phosphate (Struvite) Crystals

Back 2

- alkaline crystals
- sometimes associated with bacterial urinary tract infection
- often indicates urolithiasis
- characteristic coffin shape
- composed of magnesium, ammonium, and phosphate
- high pH level (> 7.0)

Front 3

Ammonium Biurate

Back 3

- alkaline crystals
- commonly found in Dalmatians
- associated with certain liver diseases
- when accompanied by pH 9.0, can mean old or poorly preserved sample

Front 4

Calcium Phosphate Crystals

Back 4

- alkaline crystals
- may be associated with kidney stones

Front 5

Calcium Carbonate Crystals

Back 5

- alkaline crystals
- crystals will effervesce with hydrochloric acid
- not clinically significant

Front 6

Amorphous Urate Crystals

Back 6

- acidic crystals
- will appear after refrigeration
- urates will re-solubize when heated

Front 7

Calcium Oxalate Crystals

Back 7

- acidic crystals
- associated with oxalate ingestion in large animals
- indicates ethylene glycol (antifreeze) ingestion in smaller animals
- lower pH (<7.0)

Front 8

Uric Acid Crystals

Back 8

- acidic crystals
- indicate diseases such as acute uric acid nephropathy
- associated with metabolic defect

Front 9

Bilirubin Crystals

Back 9

- acidic crystals
- frequently attached to surface of cells
- seen in hepatic disorders
- should be accompanied by positive biochemical test for bilirubin

Front 10

Cystine Crystals

Back 10

- acidic crystals
- associated with congenital defects in cystine metabolism
- results in inability of kidneys to reabsorb amino acids
- commonly found in Newfoundlands
- over time, kidney, and bladder stones form

Front 11

Leucine Crystals

Back 11

- acidic crystals
- often occur with tyrosine crystals
- present in acute liver disease
- can be seen in liver disorders in which amino acid metabolism is impaired

Front 12

Tyrosine Crystals

Back 12

- acidic crystals
- often accompanied by leucine crystals
- may be seen in liver disorders in which amino acid metabolism is impaired

Front 13

Cholesterol Crystals

Back 13

- acidic crystals
- associated with nephrotic syndrome
- accompanied by positive biochemical test for protein
- usually appear after refrigeration

Front 14

Sulfanomide Crystals

Back 14

- acidic crystals
- indicates drug administration
- also associated with stone formation

Front 15

Sodium Urate Crystals

Back 15

- acidic crystals
- occur when body produces too much uric acid

Front 16

Radioplaque Dye Crystals

Back 16

- acidic crystals
- associated with very high specific gravity (>1.035)