Struvite Crystals What Do Crystals In Cat Urine Look Like

The urine contains several chemicals.

Struvite crystals what do crystals in cat urine look like.

Crystals in dog urine. Different types of crystals may develop if your cat isn t eating a proper complete and balanced diet. An ultrasound and x ray may also be performed. A sterile urine sample allows the veterinarian to look at the urine without any contamination from the cat s urethra or genitals.

Struvite specifically is a material that is composed of magnesium ammonium and phosphate. Dogs and cats are different in many ways but both seem predisposed to urine crystal formation. Sometimes the chemicals can convert into solids. Struvite crystals are the most common form of mineral crystals that form in a cats urinary tract.

Younger cats can develop crystals in their urine just as easily as older cats so age isn t really a factor. Struvite crystals are microscopic crystals that are found in the urine of some cats. The crystals in the urine test can measure the amount size and the chemical composition of the urine crystals. So it looks like crystals.

The difference lies in the kind of crystals that form in dogs or cats and how they can adversely affect these pets. Struvite bladder stones are one of the most common bladder stones in cats. Any underlying infection would need to be treated with a course of antibiotics which have been based on culture and sensitivity and the urine should be re analysed when the course is finished to ensure the infection has been eliminated and is not grumbling on. As mentioned many normal cats who do not have urinary disease will have some struvite crystals.

Crystals in cat urine vs. If your cat is having urinary issues your veterinarian will first recommend a urinalysis. Around half of all urinary stones in cats are struvite crystals. In some cats struvite bladder stones form as a result of a urinary tract infection.

You may be alerted to this problem when you see your cat straining to urinate urinating outside the litter box urinating frequently has an increased thirst and or has cloudy or. It is the waste that you flush from your body. Signs of bladder stones typically include frequent urination straining to urinate blood in the urine and urinating outside of the litterbox. Struvite crystals are formed from magnesium ammonium and phosphate.

Also any condition that changes your cat s urine ph such as kidney disease or long term medication use can cause crystals. Let s take a closer look at struvite crystals. When cat crystals form it becomes almost impossible for your cat to urinate despite the persistent urge to do so and frequently we might add. Struvite crystals and stones are typically treated conservatively.

The crystals themselves are nearly identical. The crystals themselves can be perfectly normal but become problematic when they combine to form grit or stones of varying shapes and sizes. Crystals in urine test.