Bailey has just been diagnosed with a high alkaline level in his urine after taking him to a vet while away as he had blood in his urine. He was given a 10 day course of penicillin and told to go to our own vet on our return home. Vet did a urine test no blood now but decided it was a very bright colour did other tests and diagnosed a very high crystal content in his urine which could lead to stones. He has started a prescription diet of Royal Canin Urinary S/O for a few days then will have more tests. Has anyone had the same problem and if so how have you dealt with it?

What breed do you have?  I'd guess you are talking about HUU -  Hyperuricosuria -   this is the condition that Dalmations have and is now being found and tested for in many other breeds. 

Some useful information here on the KC website

Hes a Collie / springer cross 3.5yrs old. We have had him for 2 yrs. He is a rescue dog /failed sniffer dog and a very fit young man. He will do over 70 runs with a ball and thrower and still wants more lol 

Thanks for the link, very interesting

Alkaline urine would not lead a vet to think Huu. Alkaline urine may form stones but not the same stones as you would get from high uric acid ( Huu). There are basically 4 types of stones, lots of info online but high alkaline would not create urate stones. It depends on what the crystals are. If they were struvite crystals ( and most likely they were) then other stones NOT uate stones would be considered and anti biotics and possible acidication of the urine will be considered. Blood in urine indiactes bacteria and/or protein.
Just checked and RC Urinary diet is to dissolve struvite crystals ........so Huu not indicated.

Urate stones only form in acid urine, not alkaline. Struvite stones form in alkaline urine and are associated with urine infections. There are also calcite or oxalate stones - or even stones which are a combination of minerals. Until the vet has analysed the crystals to determine what sort they are, any treatment could do more harm than good.

Thank you for your replies. Vet did say we need to get his urine more acidic. Hubby did some research and some forums say to give dogs cranberries in powder form or  http://www.naturvet.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_images.tpl&category_id=15&product_id=87&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=8   anyone ever tried it. Going to mention it to the vet on our next visit

I wish I could tell you what our Vet prescribed when our English Springer Spaniel tested high for alkalinity.  It was a long time ago and all I remember is it was a pill.  We noticed she was dribbling urine and had her tested.  Apparently it's very, very uncomfortable, burns when they pee, they try to hold on till they just can't anymore and it dribbles out.  A side effect is one pee in a new place will kill grass.  Usually a girl has to pee in the same place over and over before the grass is affected.  When our Vet asked about the grass we realized that, yes, that was happening.  But, Whisper got completely better and it never came back.  She got apples for treats after a walk and Vet said couldn't hurt, might help and we guess maybe it did.  Hope your boy recovers as well.

Been back to the vet for another test this morning , New diet has done the job well. Very few crystals in his urine now and his alkaline level is back down to 6. He will be on the diet for a month before introducing some new dried food so very happy now.

Been back to the vet for another test this morning , New diet has done the job well. Very few crystals in his urine now and his alkaline level is back down to 6. He will be on the diet for a month before introducing some new dried food so very happy now.

Apple cider vinegar in drinking water can help raise acidity.