Magnesium & Feline Urinary Tract Infections

In felines, magnesium is used by the body to properly absorb other minerals, including calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and vitamins C and E. Most cat food does not need to be supplemented with magnesium, as it is found naturally in many cat food ingredients, including milk, fish, whole grains and soybeans. Veterinarian Holly Nash of PetEducation.com says that in adult cat dry food formulas, the magnesium content should be around 0.04 percent.

  1. Identification

    • When levels of magnesium are elevated in a feline body, it can cause microscopic crystals to form. These crystals are often formed of magnesium, but they may also contain other minerals, including ammonium and phosphate. As the number of crystals present in the urine increases, they will begin to clump together and form stones. These magnesium-based stones are often referred to as struvite stones. Struvite stones can be found anywhere in the urinary tract, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. For some cats, these stones can irritate the urinary tract and cause infections.

    Symptoms

    • The symptoms of a urinary tract infection and bladder stones are relatively similar. Many cats will have changes in their urination habits, such as more frequent trips to their litter box. However, during each trip the cat may produce less urine than usual. Affected cats may also suffer from difficulty urinating or straining when urination, both of which may be accompanied by hematuria―or blood is present in the urine. Both male and female cats can experience all of these symptoms. However, because of anatomical reasons, male cats may suffer from a blocked urethra. According to an article by Pawprints and Purrs Inc., this occurs when a stone becomes lodged in the urethra, preventing the cat from urinating. A blocked urethra can lead to death if immediate treatment is not sought.

    Diagnosis

    • Veterinarian Holly Nash explains that some stones can actually be felt in the bladder during a routine physical examination. Otherwise, bladder stones can be confirmed using an X-ray or an ultrasound of the lower abdominal region. When using the X-ray method, the cat will need to ingest a special type of dye that aids in outlining the stones, making them more visible in the X-ray. A urinalysis will also be done to detect crystals in the urine or to check for secondary infections.

    Treatment

    • Treatment for magnesium-based stones varies based on the size and exact location of the stones. Surgical removal is one of two options for emergency situations where the stone has blocked urine flow. Cats may also undergo urohydropropulsion, a technique that involves placing a catheter into the urethra and pumping a sterile saline solution into the bladder. Once the bladder is full, the veterinarian will place gentle pressure on it, which rinses the bladder out and removes any stones and crystals. Smaller struvite stones can be treated using dietary changes, which can help make the urine more acidic, thus dissolving the stones. Many cats also require medications such as antibiotics or antifungal medications if a secondary infection is present.

    Prognosis

    • Cats with a history of struvite stones should be placed on a low-magnesium diet. Increased water intake should also be encouraged, as excess water can help push new crystal formations out of the body and prevent reinfections from occurring. Cats that have had magnesium-based stones or a urinary tract infection have a good prognosis with successful treatment and proper dietary maintenance.