Struvite Crystals In Cats Symptoms

Well the treatment will depend on which type of crystal is involved as the options are really quite different for each crystal type.

Struvite crystals in cats symptoms.

Around half of all urinary stones in cats are struvite crystals. The three standard crystals in cats are struvite oxalate and urate. Struvite crystals develop in concentrated urine once the urine becomes supersaturated crystals aggregate to form stones. The latter can only be seen if they urinate on a solid surface or a pale coloured fabric.

Blood in the urine hematuria. Once the stone is formed it increases in size over weeks or months. If the stones are located on the bladder the cat may present a few symptoms such as. Blood in the urine.

Struvite and calcium oxalate are the most common type of stones in cats. A cat affected with struvite crystals calcium oxalate crystals or any other type of crystal will suffer from the same array of symptoms and are affected in the same way. However it is important to know which crystals a cat has so that we can tailor our treatment as the crystals form for different reasons and respond to different therapies. Signs of struvite stones in cats.

Struvite stones are crystal like formations that are small in size and primarily made up of magnesium ammonium and phosphate. These crystals form when there is more magnesium calcium phosphorus or protein in the urine that it can be dissolved. Though the main symptom of crystalluria is the appearance of fine crystals in freshly expelled urine other symptoms from accompanying conditions may also occur. Signs of a urinary blockage include producing no or very little urine pain lethargy and poor appetite.

Because crystals in the urine that are passed in the litter box may be missed by pet owners other symptoms may help pet owners discover something is wrong with their cat. When cats have struvite plugs in their urethra the tube that extends from the bladder to the outside of the body to discharge urine they are typically comprised of larger stones and are often mixed with crystals. However the symptoms of struvite stones in cats may vary according to the location of the stones. Common signs that may indicate bladder stones are.

Less common stones include ammonium biurate cystine and uric acid. The typical symptoms of cats with urinary crystals include. If your cat has been displaying symptoms of urinary tract disease and has been diagnosed with crystals you are likely very keen to know what treatment options are available.