Dissolving feline struvite stones
The truth: Crystalluria occurs in less than 10% of cats with struvite stones. Radiographs in conjunction with the CALCulator function, on the MUC App, are the most accurate tools to predict mineral composition.*Ref - Efficacy of two commercially available, low-magnesium, urine-acidifying dry foods for the dissolution of struvite uroliths in cats .
This is distinct from crystalluria (the presence of microscopic crystals in the urine), which is a normal finding in many cats . A variety of urolith types occur in cats , but the most common are " struvite " (composed primarily of magnesium, ammonium, and phosphate) and calcium oxalate (CaOx).
Factors associated with hematuric struvite crystalluria in cats
The aim of the study was to identify any dietary, signalment, geographic and clinical factors associated with hematuric struvite crystalluria (HSC) in a population of cats that visit general care veterinary hospitals in the USA. In total, 4032 cats ...
If crystalluria is accompanied by bladder stones or other urinary diseases, such as feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC; also called Pandora Syndrome), you may see signs of lower urinary tract inflammation. Affected cats may strain to urinate, urinate outside the litter box, have blood in their urine, or frequently pass small volumes of urine.
Feline Struvite and Calcium Oxalate Urolithiasis
In cats , approximately 45% of uroliths consist entirely or predominantly of struvite , and most feline struvite uroliths form in sterile urine (Figure 1). 1 The pathophysiology of struvite urolith formation in sterile urine is poorly understood; however, dietary and metabolic factors that result in alkaline urine and increased concentrations of ...
While struvite bladder stones can sometimes be found incidentally while looking into another problem, most of the time they are found when the cat is showing signs of lower urinary tract disease.
Struvite Bladder Stones in Cats
Struvite bladder stones are one of the most common bladder stones in cats . These stones are composed of a mineral called struvite , which is a combination of ammonium, phosphate, and magnesium.
Crystalluria indicates that the urine is supersaturated with the compounds that comprise the crystals, e.g. ammonium, magnesium and phosphate for struvite . Crystals can be seen in the urine of clinically healthy animals or in animals with no evidence of urinary disease (such as obstruction and/or urolithiasis). However, some crystals can be pathologically relevant in certain […]
Crystals in Cat Urine
Crystals in Cat Urine: Causes, Signs and Treatment Crystals in cat urine are mineral deposits (usually struvite or calcium oxalate) that can irritate the bladder or block a male cat's urethra. Learn the types, warning signs, vet treatment, and the diet that prevents them.
Crystals in cat urine, also known as struvite stones or urate crystals, can indicate a urinary tract issue that requires prompt attention. In this article, we'll take a closer look at what crystals in cat urine look like, their causes, symptoms, and diagnosis.