Crystals In Cat Urine Images

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 cat urine images.

The detection of urinary crystals is not synonymous with kidney stones or the clinical signs associated with them nor is detection of urine crystals irrefutable evidence of a stone forming tendency but there is some association with an increased risk for kidney stones in animals that are. If the crystals form in to stones diets are not effective at dissolving them and they require more drastic intervention. Male cats are far more likely to form urine crystals than females but that doesn t mean females can t be affected. Some normal animals can have crystals in their urine although sometimes they are indicative of an underlying issue especially if present in large numbers or accompanied by urinary symptoms.

Interestingly these crystals used to be extremely rare but now account for roughly half of feline urinary crystals. It was formerly referred to as feline urological syndrome or fus. Flutd includes crystal formation in the bladder which might obstruct the cat s urethra. Struvite specifically is a material that is composed of magnesium ammonium and phosphate.

Urinary crystals are microscopic structures that can be found in the urine of many animals including cats. Many believe that this is due to cats eating commercial foods that acidify the urine. These crystals can be observed under low magnification particularly when seen in large number however low numbers may only be seen at higher magnification.