Crystals In Cat Urine Symptoms
Pet owners should therefore watch for any symptoms of urinary tract infections or bladder crystals and conduct a vet check if these symptoms exist.
Crystals in cat urine symptoms. Younger cats can develop crystals in their urine just as easily as older cats so age isn t really a factor. Bloodwork and x rays may also be recommended. Also any condition that changes your cat s urine ph such as kidney disease or long term medication use can cause crystals. Bladder stones are rock like deposits of minerals crystals and organic material that are found in a cat s bladder.
Crystalluria is a medical condition where crystals are expelled into the urine. Crystals in cats also known as feline crystalluria is a medical condition which involves the formation of crystals in the cat s urine. In most cases the cause of crystals in your cat s urine is consistent and frequent consumption of dry cat food. The vet will perform a physical examination and take a urine sample to examine the urine for any abnormalities.
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. The most easily detectable symptom of the condition is the presence of crystals in freshly expelled urine. Different types of crystals may develop if your cat isn t eating a proper complete and balanced diet. And there can also be symptoms that are related to kidney stones.
Cat bladder crystals although both male and female cats are at risk of developing urinary infections male pets are more likely to suffer from urethral blockage. Diagnosing struvite crystals. They can remain small in size or grow to be several millimeters in diameter and may rub against the bladder walls causing inflammation. Urinary crystals are microscopic structures that can be found in the urine of many animals including cats.
These crystals which are microscopic in size tend to appear like fine sand and often occur as part of or because of other conditions. Symptoms of crystals in the urine in cats. If your cat is exhibiting some of the symptoms described above it is best to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian right away. 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.
The recommended best cat food for urinary health are specially formulated to manage the condition by lowering urine ph and managing crystals. 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.