From:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: 2004-07-09 04:03:49 UTC
Subject: Re: cystine bladder stones (protein)
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <7b.2df1ad20.2e1f7325@aol.com>
Sukie,
In dogs and cats, cystine urolithiasis is associated with an inherited
metabolic disorder which prevents the reabsorption of amino acids in the renal
tubules. The only association that I see between the presence of cystine uroliths
and high dietary protein intake is the acidifying effect on the urine which
decreases solubility of cystine, but that does not suggest cause and effect
(i.e., the diet wouldn't cause the formation of cystine crystals if not already
congenitally predisposed to cystinuria). Are the two ferrets presenting with
stones genetically related? I'm not clear from your original posts, is their
urine alkaline or acidic?