Crystals in Cat Urine

Finding crystals in cat urine one morning, is not something you'd like to be greeted with. And it is pretty obvious that finding crystals in cat urine is a sign of cat health problems. In fact, it indicates something terribly wrong with cat health, and we are about to tell you what. What exactly does finding crystals in cat urine mean? How does one treat it and how should one prevent it in the first place. Read on to know all about crystals in cat urine.

Crystals in Cat Urine

Formation of crystals in cat urine is known as Urolithiasis. It falls under the Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). Earlier known as Feline Urinary Syndrome (FUS), FLUTD is a serious cat illness affecting about 1% of cats. It is more common in males because they have a urethra that is narrower than that of the female cats. It is a very painful disorder to suffer from. The symptoms and formation of cat urine crystals include these change in cat behavior.

• Straining while urinating.
• Urinating only 2-3 drops at one time.
• Finding traces of blood in urine.
• Suddenly discontinuing the usage of the litter box.
• Licking the genital region more than necessary.
• Urinating rather frequently.
• Crying around the litter box (which indicates that the cat wants to pass urine, but cannot.)
• Urinating in other places.

What Causes Crystals in Cat Urine

FIC
FIC or Feline Idiopathic Cystitis is the most common cause for FLUTD to occur in cats. It is seen in over 50-65% cases of occurrence of crystals in cat urine. Cystitis simply means an irritation of the urinary bladder. Though the cause of this symptom is not known.

Uroliths
These are Urinary Stones. Calcium oxalate or struvite crystals in cat urine, are the most common forms of urinary stone. Uroliths are found in 15-20 % of cats suffering from FLUTD. It is possible for vets to treat struvite crystals in cat urine by prescribing a diet that will dissolve the stones. However, no such treatment has been found for the calcium oxalate stones. A vet will use an ultrasound to determine the kind of stone that it is.

Urethral Obstruction
Urethral obstruction is usually caused by Urethral plugs. These urethral plugs are made up of large amounts of protein (matrix) mixed with minerals. Some of these urethral plugs are composed of tissue fragments, circular debris and blood cells or they may have only matrix in them or primarily contain crystalline minerals.

Other Reasons
There can be several other reasons for crystals in cat urine as well.

• Stress
• Diet (dry food/fish flavored cat foods)
• Cancer
• Trauma and anatomical defects of the urethra
• Bacterial Infection

How to Treat Crystals in Cat Urine

Pain Control
Administering a pain control medication is essential for crystals in cat urine because it is a very painful condition for your cat to suffer.

Increase Water Intake
An increase in water consumption will help to dilute the urine and prevent crystal formation in the future. The water will help to produce more urine and therefore will help in flushing the debris and crystals in cat urine from the urinary tract. Give as much water as is possible.

Reduce Stress
Stress in cats can occur due to change in diet, an introduction of a new cat in the household or having to share things like food and litter box with another cat. As far as possible, allow the cat to have its personal space and have separate things for it, so that it does not lead to stress and an eventual breakout of crystals in cat urine.

Administer Antispasmodics
This will help to relax the bladder and urethra. Relaxing the walls of the urethra helps the cat to pass urine better and makes it a less painful ordeal. So also an amitriptyline could be given to them. This is an antianxiety drug, so it helps calm anxious cats down.

Other Treatments
Give your cat glucosamine supplements to help build the protective glycosaminoglycan coating of the bladder. Similarly, urinary acidifiers can be given for struvite crystals and potassium citrate for oxalate crystals.

Crystals in cat urine are a dangerous sign, as I have illustrated through this article. So hopefully, you will help prevent this dangerous condition from occurring in your cat by using effective cat care methods. All the best and take care of your pet.