Oxalate stones or crystals usually consist of calcium and oxalate. To date, these stones cannot be dissolved by using a diet. Removal of the stones by a veterinarian is necessary. As a preventive measure to reduce the risk of recurrence, modified diet food is given. The oxalate stones are usually formed in acid urine (low pH).
A diet for the prevention of oxalate stones should, therefore, have an increasing effect on the urinary pH. Furthermore, the diet must ensure an under-saturation of the important minerals in the urine.
For such diet attention is focused on:
Increasing effect on urinary pH: In alkaline urine, the oxalate crystals do not precipitate as fast as in acid urine.
Controlled amounts of calcium and oxalate: The concentrations of calcium and oxalate in the diet affect their amounts in urine. It is, therefore, crucial that not too much of these minerals are in the diet. It is also vital that the amounts are adjusted to each other because they influence each other.
Reduced protein content: Reduced protein intake leads to a decrease in the concentration of calcium in the urine and an increase in urinary pH. As a result, the risk of calcium oxalate stones decreases.
Reduced Sodium: Sodium increases the concentration of calcium in the urine. So less sodium is also less calcium in the urine.