Crystals In Cat Urine Images

Struvite crystals are microscopic crystals that are found in the urine of some cats.

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. 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. These crystals can be observed under low magnification particularly when seen in large number however low numbers may only be seen at higher magnification. Flutd includes crystal formation in the bladder which might obstruct the cat s urethra.

Many believe that this is due to cats eating commercial foods that acidify the urine. If the crystals form in to stones diets are not effective at dissolving them and they require more drastic intervention. Urinary crystals are microscopic structures that can be found in the urine of many animals including cats. Male cats are far more likely to form urine crystals than females but that doesn t mean females can t be affected.

The crystals themselves can be perfectly normal but become problematic when they combine to form grit or stones of varying shapes and sizes. It was formerly referred to as feline urological syndrome or fus. 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.