Urinary blockages and struvite crystals

​Good Morning, Weirdos,
This weekend I would like to discuss urinary blockage in male cats, a medical condition that we see often in the cats within our group. While this is in no way to say that our group is unique in seeing this condition, it is telling that within such a small population we see this arise time and time again. We have used Weirdo Emergency Funds for well over a dozen cats with urinary blockages and have seen at least a dozen more cases just in general on the group page. The ASPCA describes urinary blockages as “life threatening.” By discussing some details about urinary blockages and preventative care measures, we hope to help you lessen the chance of this happening to your cat!
So, what does “urinary blockage,” mean? A blockage in a male cat means that an obstruction has formed inside the urethra and is preventing the cat from being able to pass urine through his penis. While there are many types of blockages and reasons for them, the focus of my blog today will be on “struvite crystals.” These crystals begin in the bladder and then move into the urethra where they become stuck. The forming of the crystals may be happening over time without symptoms, but once the crystals have moved from the bladder into the urethra it becomes a very serious medical emergency. The cat will have to have a catheter placed into the urethra in order to flush out the crystals to open back up the urethra and allow the cat to urinate. Catheter placement usually will go on for a few days while the cat is monitored at the vet to be sure that all of the blockage is cleared.  Because of the blockages, the bladder will inflame and cause pressure on the kidneys, which causes potassium levels to rise and toxins build up in the kidneys. This toxin build up can damage the kidneys beyond repair sometimes and this is why this condition is considered life threatening. While the blockage is being taken care of, a complete blood panel work up will be done to check on the damage to the kidneys.   Also, once a cat has already had a urinary blockage due to struvite crystals, his chances of developing them again are very high. A follow-up visit to the vet to draw a new blood panel is necessary to be sure that the kidneys are healing and functioning at the appropriate levels.
 Here are some symptoms to look out for and you should take in your cat immediately for vet care if you see him exhibiting any of these symptoms:

• Urinating outside of the litter box
• Frequent visits to the litter box that result in very little to no urine production
• Straining to urinate inside or outside of the box; crying out in pain when trying to urinate
• Blood in the urine
• Loss of appetite
• Hiding because of pain or discomfort

Now, how can you try to help prevent struvite crystals from forming in your cat? According to many resources and the vet recommendations of those who have treated cats with struvite crystals, one of the number one changes to the cat’s lifestyle is to PROMOTE HYDRATION. From BlueBuffalo.com:  “Many vets will recommend high-quality wet foods because they’ve seen canned food reduce crystals in their practices. Regardless, adequate hydration is imperative for felines who tend not to drink enough water.” A second resource, TheSprucePets.com, states, “An underlying cause for the development of struvite crystals is that many cats are reluctant to drink water from bowls. They've evolved over​ millennia to get most of their moisture from prey. This, partnered with a diet of dry cat food, can lead to crystal development in the cat's urine.” Cats, in general, do not drink a lot of water throughout the day. They get 90% of their water intake through food. If the cat is strictly on a dry food only diet, then they are definitely not getting enough water intake. For the vast majority of the cats we have helped with Weirdo Emergency Funds, owners have said that their cats had been on a dry food only diet. Male cats NEED wet food in their diet in order to stay hydrated. Another solution could be to put out extra water bowls throughout your home, or to get a water fountain to peak his interest in drinking more water. We always recommend that the cats we are assisting with vet care funds return to the vet for follow-up blood panels and a urinalysis so that we can see if the changes to the diet has made the urine PH levels more acidic which in turn will prevent the forming of new crystals.
While ensuring a wet food diet and promoting water intake will not guarantee that your cat will never develop struvite crystals, it is at least an inexpensive way to take a proactive approach to your cat’s health and well-being.
The information and advice given in my blog today is NOT intended to replace the recommendations made by your vet. If you think your cat may be suffering from this issue or are concerned that your cat is at risk, please consult your vet for their professional recommendations and guidance.
 
Many well wishes to you and your cats,
Cassandra Bean Ungvarsky