Inside Information About Struvite Crystals In Cats

Your veterinarian observed sand-like mineral deposits in your cat's urine

. These deposits consist of magnesium ammonium phosphate called struvite. These crystals can block the passage of urine in cats. Here are some tips to treat and prevent this painful condition and cat struvite crystals.

If your cat has struvite crystals and is a male, he can suffer a urinary tract blockage. That's not to say this can't happen in female cats, but toms are more prone because of the narrower urethra. The material plugging the urethra is struvite material plus other organic material that has the consistency of paste.

The Role of Diet and Cat Struvite Crystals

Researchers have discovered that the formation of struvite in a cat's urine is related to the amount of magnesium in your cat's diet and the acidity of the urine. Giving your cat a low magnesium food inhibits struvite formation. Today, more pet food manufacturers have lowered the magnesium content in their products.

How Can You Change the Acidic Level of Cat Urine?

Struvite forms less in urine that is more acidic than alkaline. Your cat's urine becomes more alkaline right after eating. If you feed your cat a cat food designed for preventing cat struvite crystals he's less likely to form them. These products have less magnesium in them and create a slightly acidic urine.

Now, you need to check with your vet because young cats and nursing queens need a higher magnesium diet. However, you can also help these cats with a natural supplement that changes the pH in the cat urine.

Treatment of Cat Bladder Stones

Certain herbs in homeopathic remedies work to change the pH level and sooth the urinary tract system. This helps prevent future outbreaks of cat struvite stones as well as promote a healthy urinary system in your cat.

If you cat can't pass urine you must seek immediate help. A urinary blockage can lead to death in hours, not days, hours. If you suspect that your cat is suffering from this then get him to your vet now and not later.

If your vet determines this is a medical emergency then toxins are building up in your cat's body. Sometimes surgery is required, but usually your vet can unblock your cat using retrograde hydropulsion which means a catheter is inserted into your cat's urethra and the blockage is flushed back into the bladder. Then a fluid sack is inserted just under the cat's skin that release nutrients and fluid into your cat. This promotes flushing of the cat struvite stones and other material out through your cat's urine.

by: Kate Rieger

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