Feline Struvite / Urate

Prioritize urate prevention over struvite because sterile struvite dissolves rapidly in cats and protocols for urate dissolution are not available. The primary etiology underlying ammonium urate uroliths in most cats is unknown. Although hepatic portovascular anomalies have been identified in some, this abnormality is uncommon. The therapeutic benefit of allopurinol in the management of urate uroliths in cats is unknown. Because of potential side effects, we only use allopurinol in cats with highly recurrent urate uroliths and monitor for adverse effects.

Serum bile acids.

• Prioritize urate prevention over struvite because sterile struvite dissolves rapidly in cats and protocols for urate dissolution are not available. • Make adjustments in therapy to minimize struvite without opposing therapy to minimize urate (e.g. feed canned therapeutic foods or add water to decrease urine specific gravity (less than 1.030), and medications (antibiotics to control infection-induced struvite, when present)). • With recurrent stones, first consider therapeutic foods to dissolve struvite (e.g. c/d multicare, others) which are effective when recurrent stones are primarily composed of struvite.

• Lower purine/protein foods that produce neutral or alkaline urine (e.g. k/d early support, k/d, others) to minimize urate recurrence. If needed, feed canned therapeutic food or add water to achieve a urine specific gravity less than 1.030.

Urinalysis every 3 to 6 months to adjust pH to 6.5 or greater. Medical imaging every 6 to 12 months to detect recurrent stones when small to possibly permit their removal without surgery. With recurrent stones, first consider therapeutic foods to dissolve struvite (e.g. c/d multicare, others) which are effective when recurrent stones are primarily composed of struvite.

We advise reviewing manufacturer's literature regarding selected therapeutic foods to determine indications and contraindications. For pets with multiple health concerns,we suggest that the selection of diet should take into consideration all health needs of the pet.

Feline Struvite / Urate