Struvite urinary stones and crystals form readily in the urine of animals and humans that are infected with ammonia-producing organisms. They are potentiated by alkaline urine and high magnesium excretion (high magnesium/plant-based diets).
Struvite crystals are normally found in urine and have no significance on their own. Problems occur when these crystals combine with mucus and form a urinary plug that can cause a blockage in a male cats urinary tract (see feline urinary blockage) or when the crystals bind together to form a bladder stone.
Types of Urine Crystals and Stones in Cats Struvite Also called magnesium ammonium phosphate stones, struvite is one of the two most common stones in cats. This is due to a multitude of factors such as breed, sex, and diet. Struvite crystals and stones are extremely common, especially in cats that eat primarily dry food.
As we can see from the illustration, Struvite Crystals In Feline Urine has many fascinating aspects to explore.
Pathophysiology The pathophysiology of struvite urolithia-sis is different from that of other forms of urolithiasis. In general, the factors that influence the formation of a calculus include urine pH, renal mineral excretion, the presence of promoters, the absence of inhibitors, and the presence of infection or inflammation. In struvite urolithiasis, the concentration of struvite crystals ...
In almost all cats, struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate) forms without a urinary tract infection (i.e. sterile struvite uroliths). Culture urine prior to antibiotic administration if you suspect infection (urease-producing bacteria) as the cause of struvite formation.
