Crystalluria in Cats

Cat health is complex. Cats, who have different needs at all stages of their lives, may encounter various health problems as time progresses and following operations such as neutering that cause anatomical or hormonal changes. One of the health problems that should not be ignored in cats is crystalluria. Crystalluria can be simply defined as the presence of crystals in the urine. In this content, we will discuss what you need to know about crystalluria in cats.

What is Crystalluria in Cats? Crystalluria refers to the presence of crystals in the urine. The answer to the question "Why do crystals appear in urine?" is quite simple. Chemicals and other compounds that should normally dissolve in urine combine instead, forming crystals. Crystalluria is considered a significant problem in cats. Different types of urinary crystals can be found in the urine of cats. The most common types are calcium oxalate and magnesium ammonium phosphate, or struvite. The presence of crystals in urine does not necessarily mean kidney stones or other related clinical signs. Furthermore, the presence of crystals is not considered an indicator of kidney stone formation. However, cats with crystalluria have a higher risk of developing kidney stones. Accurate identification of crystals in the urine is important for treatment planning. Identifying crystals that may appear as a symptom of another condition helps determine whether kidney stones should be controlled and how to plan the treatment method to dissolve the crystals.

Crystalluria means the presence of crystals in the urine. The answer to the question "Why do crystals form in urine?" is actually quite simple. Chemicals and other compounds that should normally dissolve in urine combine instead, forming crystals. Crystalluria is considered a significant problem in cats. Different types of urinary crystals can be found in cats' urine. The most common types are calcium oxalate and magnesium ammonium phosphate, or struvite.

The presence of crystals in urine does not necessarily mean kidney stones or other related clinical signs. On the other hand, the presence of crystals is not considered an indicator of kidney stone formation. However, cats with crystalluria have a higher risk of developing kidney stones. Accurate identification of crystals in the urine is important for treatment planning. Identifying crystals that appear as a symptom of another condition helps determine whether kidney stones should be controlled and how to plan the treatment method to dissolve the crystals.

Crystalluria in animals is anatomically and functionally normal. It's also possible for them to dissolve spontaneously before they grow large enough to obstruct urination. However, even in this case, it increases the risk of kidney stone formation. Due to the potential health problems it can cause, crystalluria in cats is a health issue that requires awareness and veterinary support when symptoms are observed.

What Causes Crystalluria?

In some cases, crystalluria formation is perfectly normal. For example, when a urine sample is placed in the refrigerator for analysis or left at room temperature, compounds that are normally dissolved can form crystals. Just as it's easier to dissolve sugar in hot tea than in cold tea, the formation of crystals in urine when it cools is similar. When crystal formation occurs after the urine cools down after being expelled from the cat's body, it is not an indication of discomfort or a sign of disease.

In other cases, conditions that can cause kidney stone formation in cats can lead to crystallization. The presence of crystals in these cats indicates a high concentration of substances that cause crystal formation in the urine, or that the urine is abnormally concentrated, the urine pH is low, or there is an excess of certain foods in the diet. Ingestion of certain toxins can also lead to crystallization in the urine. Therefore, to determine whether or not to treat crystalluria in cats, it is first necessary to find out how the crystalluria occurred.

What are the Symptoms of Crystalluria?

The only symptom of crystalluria is the presence of crystals in the recently expelled urine. There are no other medical symptoms related to crystalluria itself. The crystals in the urine are microscopic and do not cause any pain. However, if they form large stones in the urinary tract, they can manifest with different symptoms. This condition can be confused with cystitis in cats. Cystitis is an infection of the urinary tract and bladder. However, crystalluria and cystitis are different diseases, and cystitis treatment has no effect on crystalluria. The answer to the question "How to treat urinary tract infections in cats?" is usually antibiotic treatment. It is important to remember that, as mentioned earlier, antibiotic treatment cannot treat crystalluria. On the other hand, the symptoms that occur when crystalluria progresses resemble the symptoms of lower urinary tract inflammation in cats. Crystalluria can only be confused with lower urinary tract inflammation when it progresses and forms larger stones in the urinary tract. Frequent urination, difficulty urinating, and excessive cleaning of the genitals are common symptoms. When crystalluria progresses and forms stones large enough to block the urinary tract, this leads to lower urinary tract urolithiasis in cats.

On the other hand, the symptoms that occur when crystalluria progresses resemble the symptoms of lower urinary tract inflammation in cats. Crystalluria can only be confused with lower urinary tract inflammation when it progresses and forms larger stones in the urinary tract. Frequent urination, difficulty urinating, and excessive cleaning of the genitals are common symptoms. When crystalluria progresses and forms stones large enough to block the urinary tract, this leads to lower urinary tract urolithiasis in cats.

How is Crystalluria Diagnosed?

Crystalluria in cats can only be diagnosed through a urine test. The urine sample is placed in a centrifuge. Due to the high-speed centrifugation of the urine, crystals, cells, and other debris in the urine settle at the bottom of the test tube. This sediment is then dissolved in a small amount of urine and examined under a microscope. If crystals are found in the sample, the cat is diagnosed with crystalluria.

The amount of crystals in the urine, the symptoms, and other abnormal values ​​found in the urine test determine whether additional tests are necessary. Radiography may be required to rule out the risk of bladder stones. If the amount of crystals is very low, additional tests are not needed.

How is Crystalluria Treated?

One of the questions that comes to mind with a diagnosis of crystalluria is, "How many crystals should there be in the urine?" It is also extremely important to determine whether cats experience any symptoms due to crystalluria or to identify the underlying factor causing crystalluria. Cats with clinically high amounts of crystalluria may require treatment. This also reduces the risk of bladder stones.

Once the cause of crystalluria is fully determined, it needs to be eliminated. However, in general, crystalluria treatment focuses on reducing crystal formation in the long term. Increasing the amount of water the cat drinks, balancing the urine pH, and increasing the frequency of urination help reduce crystal formation. Cats are not generally animals that drink an ideal amount of water. Therefore, keeping their water clean at all times is important to encourage them to drink water. To encourage cats to drink water, you can opt for automatic water dispensers that provide a flowing water source. You can browse different types of automatic water dispensers here. Once the diagnosis is complete and the treatment process begins, changes in diet may also be necessary. Veterinarians will provide information on any dietary changes.