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.

These crystals can be observed under low magnification particularly when seen in large number however low numbers may only be seen at higher magnification. In some urine samples they do not have irregular protrusions but have smooth borders and can resemble calcium carbonate although these do not occur in the urine from dogs and cats. Struvite crystals are microscopic crystals that are found in the urine of some cats. Interestingly these crystals used to be extremely rare but now account for roughly half of feline urinary crystals.

Many believe that this is due to cats eating commercial foods that acidify the urine. 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. 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.

It was formerly referred to as feline urological syndrome or fus. 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.