Changes in cat urinary glycosaminoglycans with age and in feline urologic syndrome.

The aim of the present study was to characterize the urinary excretion of glycosaminoglycans in kittens and adult healthy cats, as well as in cats with a low urinary tract disease, the feline urologic syndrome (FUS). The main urinary glycosaminoglycan in cats was found to be chondroitin sulfate, with smaller amounts of dermatan sulfate and heparan sulfate. There was no difference in the urinary glycosaminoglycan concentration with sex, but a marked decrease occurred with age, due to chondroitin sulfate.