Canadian researchers find link between pet food & kidney failure

University of Guelph researcher Perry Martos said animals likely developed crystals in their kidneys because of a reaction between cyanuric acid and melamine...

http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2007/04/27/pet-food.html

What's curious though, is that my knowledge of crystals (in cats at least) is that they block the flow of urine.....the affected animals here, though, were reportedly urinating profusely....no?

(Finally, some coverage on Canadian media)

Crystals block the flow when they physically block the urethra, but they have to be in the bladder already.. If the crystals are in the kidneys, they probably stopped the kidneys from functioning properly by preventing them from reabsorbing the water to concentrate the urine, so the animal would have more dilute pee and go more often.

Crystals block the flow when they physically block the urethra, but they have to be in the bladder already.. If the crystals are in the kidneys, they probably stopped the kidneys from functioning properly by preventing them from reabsorbing the water to concentrate the urine, so the animal would have more dilute pee and go more often.

Great informative answer, thanks! I know nothing about crystals (Luna's never had them) but have been curious as there is so much talk about that lately. :thumbs up