Cystinuria (Type B, 3 variants) – Cat

Cystinuria is a metabolic disorder which causes a buildup of the amino acid cysteine in the urine. This buildup can form into painful kidney and bladder stones (uroliths), which can cause further dangerous complications such as obstructed urine flow, which requires immediate medical intervention. The disorder can be managed with a specialized diet.

In cats, there are three known mutations to the gene SLC7A9 that can cause Type B Cystinuria. This package contains tests for all three. The exact mode of inheritance is still unknown, but the mutations are believed to be mostly recessive.

Affected cats can start developing uroliths anywhere between several months and 5 years of age. Symptoms of urinary tract obstruction from such uroliths include painful and/or bloody urination, passage of small volumes of urine, and ultimately an inability to urinate. This obstruction is life-threatening and requires immediate veterinary attention.