Maintaining low pH levels is critical because it reduces the production
of urinary crystal stones in the bladder, which is a common problem for many cat owners.»
Special formulated foods for urinary tract disease are classically targeted at keeping the urine pH at optimal levels because deviations in urine pH is one of the most common causes
of urinary crystal / stone development.
if your cat has had a history
of urinary crystal formation, talk to us before starting your cat on a canned food only diet, there are some canned diets that can predispose to struvite crystal formation in some cats.
Also, urine with high pH, and a type
of urinary crystal called struvite, is correlated with the symptoms.
Legume hays are very high in calcium and protein, which lead to formation
of urinary crystals and stones.
To soothe, lubricate, fight infection, and reduce inflammation in the urinary tract and to aid with the removal
of urinary crystals.
Also, the formation
of urinary crystals is not likely a reasonable cause either as this can be a «normal» finding.
A vet in Colorado, commenting on an article full of pictures
of urinary crystals: «I removed it and put it up in the lab, next to the microscope.»
Urinalysis provides information about kidney function, inflammation in the kidneys or bladder, some metabolic diseases (e.g. diabetes), and the presence
of urinary crystals.
Because legume hay is very high in calcium and protein, which may lead to the formation
of urinary crystals and stones, it should not be fed exclusively for any extended period of time.
Know, though, that the presence or absence
of urinary crystals is only one aspect of diagnosing FLUTD.
This may help to prevent the development
of urinary crystals, or gastrointestinal problems.
No significant association was found between food type and presence
of urinary crystals.
Veterinary nutritionist's advice for treatment
of urinary crystals or stones is feeding your dog a food with restricted amounts of magnesium, phosphorus, protein and calcium.
I am finding it increasingly frustrating to watch the veterinary community continue to be fixated on the pH of cat urine and the presence
of urinary crystals instead of focusing on the much more important issue of dietary water content.
The condition starts with the formation
of urinary crystals that may in the right conditions, progress to form uroliths (stones) within the urinary tract.
Reason being is, the cat formula also reduces the risk of formation
of urinary crystals / stones, the small dog formula has a kibble size suitable and a blend of vitamins / fatty acids that promote healthy skin / coat, and the medium / large dog formula adds glucosamine and chondroitin to reduce inflammation of the joints and support joint health.
Treatment
of urinary crystals is accomplished through prescription diets that stablize the urine pH and eliminate dietary factors that lead to crystal formation.
The presence
of urinary crystals and stones can lead to blockage in both male and female cats, along with the earlier signs of straining and possibly bloody urine.
Not exact matches
In a study on rats with kidney stones, coconut water was found to keep
crystals from sticking to the kidneys and other parts
of the
urinary tract.
Regular consumption
of the refreshing drink — or even lemon juice mixed with water — may increase the production
of urinary citrate, a chemical in the urine that prevents the formation
of crystals that may build up into kidney stones.
A: Urolithiasis, the formation
of struvite stones and
crystals in the
urinary system, and
urinary tract infections, generally occur when an animal's urine becomes concentrated and alkaline (pH 7 or greater).
It is important to acknowledge that veterinary medicine can not explain why some cats are prone to developing
urinary crystals and / or stones and why some other cats, perhaps eating the same type
of diets, even dry diets, do not develop them.
The most common cause
of obstruction is a urethral plug, which consists
of mineral
crystals (e.g., struvite, calcium oxalate), white blood cells, red blood cells, protein (mucus), and epithelial cells.5 The underlying cause
of urethral plugs is unknown; however, plugs have been linked to struvite crystalluria — suggesting that diet may play a role — and idiopathic cystitis.6 Other causes
of urethral obstruction include urethral edema and spasm associated with lower
urinary tract inflammation and pain.7 Uroliths, neoplasms, and urethral strictures can also lead to urethral obstruction; however, they are reported less frequently than other causes.5
Patients with a history
of bladder or urethral stones should be placed on a
urinary care prescription diet that keeps pH neutral to help prevent the
crystals from returning.
In cats with FLUTD, it helps to create a water barrier that protects the cells
of the
urinary tract, which in turn helps prevent bacteria and
crystals from adhering to their surface.
Urinary crystals may form in alkaline urine (struvite) and may be controlled with a diet to lower the pH. Licking
of the paws may be due to a yeast infection, which should be looked into.
Although some cases
of FLUTD are caused by
crystals or stones in the
urinary tract, or by bacterial or viral infections, the majority don't have any obvious cause.
Cranberries also contributes to prevention
of bacterial infection in the
urinary tract and formation
of struvite
crystals in the bladder and urethra.
We can monitor for signs
of a
urinary tract infection, diabetes mellitus, urine
crystals or stones that could be causing your pet pain, renal dysfunction and more.
For decades, management
of FIC focussed on reducing
urinary crystals, changing
urinary pH, and improving the PSGAG layer
of the bladder.
Dietary factors play a role in some cases
of urinary infections and
crystals, and veterinarians may change the diets
of affected patients, based on a microscopic urine analysis.
Evo has also been used successfully for treating cats with Feline IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disorder) and for helping prevent the development
of urinary struvite... MORE
crystals found in FLUTD.
It encourages your cat to pee more often so the urine will stay in the
urinary tract for shorter periods
of time, meaning there is less chance
of crystals collecting.
Royal Canin
Urinary SO Index ® promotes a urinary environment unfavorable to the development of both struvite and calcium oxalate c
Urinary SO Index ® promotes a
urinary environment unfavorable to the development of both struvite and calcium oxalate c
urinary environment unfavorable to the development
of both struvite and calcium oxalate
crystals
Whilst this is not an emergency, it would be best to have Betty's urine checked for signs
of infection or
urinary crystals so that any medical treatment can be directed effectively.
Uroliths: These are
crystals (calcium oxalate, struvite) that form in the
urinary tract and black the flow
of urine.
Veterinary formulas that treat FLUTD balance
urinary pH to minimize
crystal formation, says Tricia Joyce, DVM,
of New York City Veterinary Specialists.
It can be the result
of trauma, medications, poisoning, infection or blockage
of the
urinary tract due to stones,
crystals, or tumors.
ROYAL CANIN Veterinary Diet ® Gastrointestinal ™ High Energy utilizes RSS technology to support a
urinary environment unfavorable to the development
of both struvite and calcium oxalate
crystal formation.
It's also enriched with nutrients to support the skin's natural barrier and digestive flora, and as part
of the
Urinary S / O Index, it promotes a urinary environment unfavorable to the development of both struvite and calcium oxalate cr
Urinary S / O Index, it promotes a
urinary environment unfavorable to the development of both struvite and calcium oxalate cr
urinary environment unfavorable to the development
of both struvite and calcium oxalate
crystals.
S / O ® INDEX Promotes a
urinary environment unfavorable to the development
of both struvite and calcium oxalate
crystals.
A diet made for cats and dogs with certain lower
urinary tract problems that produce bladder stones or
crystals in a neutral or basic pH urine (struvite) consists
of:
One
of the most common medical issues we see is pugs with
urinary tract infections (UTI) or
crystals / stones in their urine.
Promotes a healthy
urinary system with Royal Canin Urinary S / O Index ® to prevent the formation of harmful cr
urinary system with Royal Canin
Urinary S / O Index ® to prevent the formation of harmful cr
Urinary S / O Index ® to prevent the formation
of harmful
crystals.
Granted, a
urinary stone composed
of enrofloxacin is unusual but it is important to realize that enrofloxacin
crystals might be found in a urine sample
of a patient on enrofloxacin and that these
crystals should be recognized as such.
When I adopted little Felix (age 3) from a no - kill shelter, he was fed Science Diet dry food for cats with
urinary tract issues (because
of crystals found in his urine about a year earlier).
The
urinary crystals that have been associated with feline lower
urinary tract disease are generally struvite or oxalate
crystals, not
crystals made out
of enrofloxacin.
•
Crystals in the urine that chafe the bladder lining • Bladder stones •
Urinary infections • Sterile or idiopathic cystitis that causes inflammation of the bladder lining • Spasm of the urethra • A plug of debris in the urethra • Stress • Bladder polyps • Cancer of the urinar
Urinary infections • Sterile or idiopathic cystitis that causes inflammation
of the bladder lining • Spasm
of the urethra • A plug
of debris in the urethra • Stress • Bladder polyps • Cancer
of the
urinaryurinary tract
Further, the relationship between
crystals and feline lower
urinary tract disease is controversial as are the assorted treatments commonly prescribed for the symptoms
of this condition.