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.
I just read through the comments and I want to add my vote for a pet drinking fountain. They LOVE those things!! And of course you can put any water you want in it. We had to put ours away when our human children were born, but I think my kids are finally old enough to leave it alone! LOL! So I’m putting mine back out. You might give it some thought. They cost about $40 to $50 which isn’t chickenfeed but neither are vet bills.
I cannot speak directly to your specific issue. However we had a lot of digestive problems with our current dachshund over the years and tried loads of different expensive specialty dog foods suggested by our vet. Someone who had been having a lot of difficulties with her cat suggested that we make our own food. We checked with our vet and she gave us a few suggestions for ingredients to include. The problems went away almost immediately and have never returned. Apparently the dog food manufacturers were adding something that caused digestive problems for our dachshund.
For our dachshund most of the time we just take a frozen boneless, skinless chicken breast from Costco and heat it over low heat in a small frying pan for 20 minutes until it reaches 170 degrees. We cut it in half and save one half for the following day. We then smash up the half we are using into small chunks in the bowl we feed her with.
At the same time we are heating the chicken we make some instant rice. We use twice the normal amount of water and let it simmer on low temperature until the water is all absorbed by the rice. We top the chunked up chicken with a couple table spoons of this super moist rice. Then we add a couple tablespoons of mixed vegetables and a teaspoon of butter. We mix it all up very thoroughly. The dog is very finicky so we eat some of it in front of her and then she wolfs it down. We also give her a doggy multi-vitamin recommended by the vet.
The next day we mix up the ingredients that have been kept in the refrigerator and microwave them enough so that we can get the butter to melt. We sometimes alter this recipe slightly by using other left over meats, sometimes mashed potatoes instead of rice, and also variations on the vegetables often adding a little mixed fruit in with them.
The dog had all sorts of problems and was looking terrible until we started doing this. It might take a little research to figure out what is best to feed your cat, but I no longer trust animal food companies. Our dog has been feeling a lot better since we took her nutrition into our own hands. Our vet wasn’t the one who told us about this; it was a friend who was having all sorts of difficulties with her cat which is why I thought this might be helpful to you.
Our oldest cat developed crystals about 8 years ago. He was eating Purina Indoor with occasional soft food. We switched him to Purina One Urinary Tract food which is a lot less expensive than the Science Diet or Royal Kanin. Our other two cats, one is a Maine Coon, eat the same food and all three get occasional wet food, Purina Naturals, and Greenie Dental treats for variety. No problems since.
The water and the hardness of the water can also be an issue. I fill their fountain with refrigerator filtered water only.
Cats like humans begin to lose their sense of thirst as they age. (I have to force myself to drink more water, even though I don’t feel thirsty or I get dehydrated). Your kitty needs more water. You can give more canned food or you can even add an ounce or two of water to their kibble. Our cat did not like the wet kibble, but would eat it if that’s all there was. He eventually got used to t.
blockage removed.
Our Bacci Vigna(just turned 15) about 10 years ago was straining to pee. Anyway, he had to have the blockage removed and has been fine. I have tried it all with cat food, made my own for awhile too but working person not convenient! Low ash maintained him.
God knowing, Cat loving individuals! My kinda place...(yes I am a nerd too!) But cant wait to get home today my boys my boys!
Two cats with that problem. They had surgery, one had it twice. It worked, they lived to be 29 and 23. We never told them about the surgery to preserve their male dignity.
Low ash food seems to be key.
Best wishes.
Just go away.
Vet to me to pick a food and stick to it. That changing the food, brand and even flavor, was one of the things that could trigger it.
Rocket ping?
This place.
I swear.
Just went thru this with my cat. Since switching to royal canin SO no urinary problems. But he now struggles with constipation
Maybe he found some joy on the thread about the pit bull tied to the railroad tracks.
Use a CATapult.
Check out Vet Dr. Beckers website
Can’t do link right now
No dry food. No food with “byproducts”. No food with high “ash” (dirt) content. No food with high magnesium.
Find a very high quality canned or frozen food.
The fact of the matter is that most commercial cat food will kill most cats by 11 years of age.
I now make my own cat food. Boy cat was dying of reactions to commercial cat food, puking and diarrhea and losing weight. Girl cat had no energy and got fat.
All problems resolved with homemade food.
I have 5 cats 2 have had this problem hills science for urinary tract NO MORE PROBLEMS!!!!!!! It is expensive but a heck of ALOT less than vet bills!!!!!! Good luck with your babies!!!!!! My cats also get chilled bottled water, water in this area is VERY HARD I thought maybe the water softener may have had something to do with the problem!!!!!
I have 5 cats 2 have had this problem hills science for urinary tract NO MORE PROBLEMS!!!!!!! It is expensive but a heck of ALOT less than vet bills!!!!!! Good luck with your babies!!!!!! My cats also get chilled bottled water, water in this area is VERY HARD I thought maybe the water softener may have had something to do with the problem!!!!!
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