Investigation of the Presence of Crystalluria in Cats with Lower Urinary Tract Disease
Crystalluria in Cats with Lower Urinary Tract Disease
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18095286Keywords:
cat, cystitis, urinanalysis, ultrasoundAbstract
Crystalluria, the presence of crystals in urine, results from electrolyte and/or substance oversaturation. Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), where crystalluria is an etiological factor, is diagnosed by exclusion due to its multifactorial nature and overlapping clinical signs. Urinalysis and sediment examination are practical, cost-effective diagnostic tools. This study investigated crystalluria in domestic cats with FLUTD, classified crystal types, and assessed their role in preventing urethral plug formation and obstruction. It included 50 owned cats (28 males, 22 females, median age: 3 years, range: 1–8) presented to the Harran University Veterinary Faculty Animal Hospital between March 2024 and January 2025. All underwent physical, laboratory, and imaging exams and were classified into four crystalluria subgroups: calcium oxalate (CaOx, n = 9), hippuric acid (n = 8), uric acid (n = 8), and struvite (n = 25). Crystalluria was more frequent in tabby cats fed commercial dry food than in those on home-prepared diets. It was also more common in semi-indoor, neutered cats, particularly those that had never mated. The predominant clinical signs were stranguria and hematuria. Median urine pH was 6.75 (range: 4.0–8.5), and urine specific gravity (Sg) was 1.030 (range: 1.030–1.040). In conclusion, the most prevalent crystals in Şanlıurfa cats were struvite, CaOx, hippuric acid, and uric acid. Crystalluria was most common in male, neutered, tabby cats aged ≥3 years, weighing ~3.5 kg, fed commercial dry food, never mated, and living a semi-indoor lifestyle. Regular urinalysis and veterinary check-ups are advised for at-risk cats to prevent complications like urethral plug formation and obstruction.
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