Struvite Crystals What Do Crystals In Cat Urine Look Like

Struvite crystals or just cat crystals for us less technical folk are dreaded by both pets and pet owners.

Struvite crystals what do crystals in cat urine look like.

Signs of bladder stones typically include frequent urination straining to urinate blood in the urine and urinating outside of the litterbox. In some cats struvite bladder stones form as a result of a urinary tract infection. An ultrasound and x ray may also be performed. 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. A sterile urine sample allows the veterinarian to look at the urine without any contamination from the cat s urethra or genitals. Different types of crystals may develop if your cat isn t eating a proper complete and balanced diet. As mentioned many normal cats who do not have urinary disease will have some struvite crystals.

Crystals in urine test. 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. It is the waste that you flush from your body. Struvite crystals and stones are typically treated conservatively.

Crystals in cat urine vs. The crystals themselves are nearly identical. Struvite specifically is a material that is composed of magnesium ammonium and phosphate. It is easy to recognize these crystals under a microscope as they have a characteristic coffin box shape.

The urine contains several chemicals. Let s take a closer look at struvite crystals. Struvite crystals are the most common form of mineral crystals that form in a cats urinary tract. The crystals in the urine test can measure the amount size and the chemical composition of the urine crystals.

Struvite bladder stones are one of the most common bladder stones in cats. 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. These tests will help identify any abnormalities in the bladder kidneys or urinary tract and look for the presence of any larger stones that could pose a medical emergency. Crystals in dog urine.

Younger cats can develop crystals in their urine just as easily as older cats so age isn t really a factor. 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. The crystals themselves can be perfectly normal but become problematic when they combine to form grit or stones of varying shapes and sizes.

Sometimes the chemicals can convert into solids. The difference lies in the kind of crystals that form in dogs or cats and how they can adversely affect these pets. Dogs and cats are different in many ways but both seem predisposed to urine crystal formation.