Marked struvite crystalluria and its association with lower urinary tract signs in a cat with feline idiopathic cystitis

Abstract

Case report: We describe a case of a large amount of mineralised material, presumed to be struvite crystals, within the urinary bladder of a cat with feline idiopathic cystitis. The presence of this material coincided with episodes of lower urinary tract signs in this cat over a 2-year period.

Clinical significance: Although struvite crystalluria is widely considered to be clinically insignificant, this generalisation may not be true for all cats with lower urinary tract disease. Imaging of the urinary tract is recommended in all cats with lower urinary tract signs.

Keywords: cats; idiopathic cystitis; lower urinary tract disease; struvite crystalluria.