Why does struvite get in cats, what it is and how to treat it

Struvite is one of the most common stones in cats.However, the formation of these stones can be prevented with diet and "gentle" remedies.

• Struvite in cats is a disease that is evidenced by the formation of stones in the urinary system.
• Urination disorders and abdominal pain are the most frequent symptoms.
• However, the pathology can be prevented by a specific diet and addressed with remedies that come from nature.

There struvite it is one of the most frequent diseases in domestic cats.The uroliths – that is, stones – can form in any part of the urinary system of felines, giving rise to different symptoms depending on their location.One of the most common uroliths in cats is that of magnesium ammonium phosphate, commonly called struvite.We took stock of this pathology with the help of an expert: the doctor Chiara Dissegna, veterinary doctor.

What does struvite mean, an unfortunately frequent disease

Struvite represents approximately the 50 percent from the feline stones.A significant percentage which highlights how this type of pathology is definitely a problem in terms of the well-being of our cat friends.To better explain the mechanism of the disease it is necessary to take a step back.In the'urine we find naturally waste products, included mineral salts like struvite.If these substances become too concentrated, they can precipitate and join together to form stones.

In the case of struvite, the situation is worsened byalkaline urine and no more acidic.In these cases thediet plays a fundamental role in preventing the disease.But also obesity And stress are among the predisposing factors in the development of struvite.And in the domestic cat, often fed too much and poorly, the disease unfortunately becomes very frequent, compromising the state of well-being of our four-legged friend.

Symptoms and diagnosis of struvite

The symptoms of struvite are varied and differ depending on the location and size of the stones present in the urinary system.The basic symptom always highlights discomfort during the urination and the need for the cat to go to the litter box more often.Furthermore, the cat can manifest the problem by crying and complaining and may also be present blood in the secretion.When calculation obstructs theurethra (and this is easier in males), the feline can no longer urinate and veterinary intervention is necessary to resolve the situation.The diagnosis is easy:with a urinalysis the pH and the specific weight (which is the indicator of urine concentration) and with a radiography the size and location of the stones can be assessed.

Treatment and prevention of struvite

The good news is that struvite can be dissolved, acting on the concentration and on urinary pH.To increase urinary volume, the cat's fluid intake can be increased, mainly with a fresh homemade diet or commercial wet and encouraging the cat to drink more often (fountains, always fresh water...).Furthermore, the pH can be modified with the diet using specific foods, or with the use of acidifying supplements, like the vitamin C.

Prevention, therefore, is practically implemented with the daily diet, avoiding giving our cat only dry food for its entire life.A feline that has suffered from struvite may repeat the episode, but it is enough to periodically monitor the pH and urinary specific gravity to avoid the problem from recurring.Even thehomeopathy and the phytotherapy they can help us in the "gentle" management of struvite.Among them mother tinctures best known must certainly be rememberedstone-breaking grass useful both for the dissolution of stones and in prevention.Furthermore, there are various homeopathic remedies indicated in case of stones, such as lycopodium.  It is important, however, to understand that to heal and avoid relapses the disease must be identified single remedy homeopathic for the little patient which must be administered consistently throughout their entire lifespan.In short, even in the case of struvite, prevention and attention to the daily diet become successful in guaranteeing the domestic feline long-lasting well-being over the years.