Posted on 03/17/2015 9:06:56 AM PDT by rarestia
I'm hoping the FR community can help me with a seemingly chronic feline issue.
I have two boys, Luke and Drake, who are from the same litter. They are very different cats. A few years ago, Luke developed urinary crystals. He was straining to urinate, would squat on everything, and he was generally irritable. Vet gave us anti-spasmatics to keep him from trying to urinate excessively and antibiotics to clear up any infections. After a few weeks, his symptoms cleared up, and he seemed better.
Two weeks later, he started again, we put him through the same regimen, and this time we changed him from kibble to canned food after I'd read about all the fillers in kibble that can lead to the formation of these stones. The problem with this strategy was that his brother, Drake, didn't handle the transition well and was vomiting up everything he ate. The wet food was too rich, so we kept him on the dry food thinking that he wasn't having the problem so why change?
Around the same time the next year, it all came around again with Luke. We took him to the vet, same diagnosis, put him through the regimen, and he's back to normal. Doc ruled out anything environmental insomuch as allergies causing this issue.
Fast forward to last weekend, and now Drake is having this same issue! We took him to the eVet, and they said his bladder was empty. Put him on antibiotics and gave him a painkiller, and he was fine; but now he's doing the same thing his brother was doing with the licking of his genitals and going to the cat box ten times an hour.
The question I have for you all: I've read tons of reviews on the urinary health foods. We currently feed Drake Blue Buffalo indoor cat kibble. I've heard some doctors say Blue is one of the worst for crystals and others say its one of the better for overall health. Our vet recommends Hill's Science Diet C/D or Royal Canin SO (which runs up to $85 for a 15 lb. bag!), but I've read some nasty things about Hill's foods.
Can any FReepers help me out here? Any kitty owners who've had these problems who can help me find a good balance? We want our boys to be happy, healthy kitties, but I feel like I have two irreparably broken toms.
My friend’s cat just had surgery for this problem.
You ever try Dynovite, the stuff advertised on radio?
[no experience w/same]
Hill’s Science Diet C/D worked for our cat with similar problem. He has been on it for 3+ years no more urinary problems.
If you can get them to take it, feed them tomato juice. The acid dissolves the crystals.
I was thinking the same thing. No experience with it either.
CC
The vet says I’m crazy; but, put a tablespoon or a little less of vinegar in his water bowl everyday.
Sorry to hear about your boy kitties. My boy has been on Royal Canin SO for many years and he has had no further issues. It is expensive, but to me it’s worth it - there are always things I can cut back on if needed. I also have two Cat-IT kitty fountains that he and his sister love to drink out of so they get plenty of good water.
Nursery guy put his cat on roast beef diet. No more problems several years later. Just saying.
I’m wondering about your water. We feed our Bob Science Diet for older cats and he thrives. Our water is wonderful. He usually drinks out of the toilet. LOL He also is allowed to go outside during the day and so I’m sure he eats the occasional varmit or bird. A friend of ours had what she called her transgendered cat since the vet had to remove his penis due to urinary tract problems. She changed his/her name and everything. The cat was still evil however and attacked everyone including her at the slightest opportunity. So maybe he/she was in pain. Who knows.
I have 5 males. All fixed with shots included. So far, so good but I keep an eye on them. Same with my dog.
They’re cats, not people.
The cat loves it and is drinking noticeably more water -- only problem is he enjoys splashing the water on the kitchen rug as it gurgles out of the small trough into the recirculation basin!
The unit is easy to maintain and is not much bigger than a food dish. You should check it out.
A friend of mine that used to work for a vet told me that dry food was bad for male cats urinary problems. She also said to give them some vitamin C mixed in their food for it. I don’t know if this works.
We have found it is cheaper to feed them fresh food than deal with the health issues created by commercial food. Chicken, cow organs and the occasional fish. The cats are healthier, smell better and produce less waste.
Plus, they scamper about the house like they are still kittens.
I don't know what you've read but my cat has been on it for about 11 years now and she's never been sick.
I put her on it not long after I got her because she was very obese. Unfortunately I made the mistake of adding a quarter of a small can of Fancy Feast to the dry food and now she won't eat the dry food unless the Fancy Feast is in it.......LOL!
Get them to a vet ASAP.
We had a cat with this problem and we only bought Low Ash food ,I think it was Hill’s low ash
My cat has ideopathic urinary tract disease and irritable bowl syndrome. The biopsies were pricey, but it confirmed the suspicion. We had him on prednisone for about three years up until about 8 months ago after he lost most of his fur. We then switched to Budesonide (again, about 8 months ago) and he has been pretty good overall since.
He didn’t pee on stuff a lot, mostly puked anywhere and everywhere before the meds. Urine crystals were a symptom caused by his underlying issues and we did have a few problems before he was properly diagnosed.
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