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I have a male cat, age 10 now, that started with the FUS crystals problems around age 2. He had an infection plus crystals in 2004, and in spite of switching him to a better but not Rx diet, he had a blockage in 2005. Since 2007, he has been on Royal Canin's feline Urinary SO dry food. In all that time he's had no flare-ups and no blockages from crystals. The vet has him on that for maintenance, because he still had FUS symptoms and/or red blood cells in urine and the options that we tried earlier *didn't work. Say what you want about dry food, but it's what's working for him. None of my cast will eas prescription canned cat foods.
He gets primarily the dry food, some regular wet cat foods (usually Friskies), chicken, fish, ham, beef people foods (I don't use salt or spices / sauces), and he also likes lettuce.
I bought a PetMate water fountain, the large one, and he drinks from that. But he prefers fresh water from the sink, so I indulge him all of the faucet-fresh water he wants, just because I don't want anymore urinary track problems.
Unfortunately, mainstream vets as well as vet techs get their only "nutrition influence" from pet food conglomerates who generously fund everything from universities, to just about every award they receive. (The info is free for all to easily find).
Perhaps this imperative info from a Veterinarian -- whose expertise is backed up on facts and nothing but facts -- saves just one cat from what is excessively common, unnecessary and preventable pain ---
JJ was on a high quality grain free wet food diet from day one. He's never eaten a nibble of dry food in his life. I knew about the dangers of dry food and carbs with cats, and never wanted JJ to be like the cats I saw urinating blood at the clinic.
Despite this, he STILL developed crystals and symptoms like straining. Diet DOES play a huge role in urinary issues, I don't dispute that. But it isn't as simple as you're making it out to be...a grain free diet does not guarantee crystals will never develop.
Thanks for the advice everyone!
I've bought several different types of canned food from the list on the website ... so hopefully he will like one of those.
*fingers crossed* The Doctor also has tips to get cats to eat it; it's kinda like children with french fries vs. what they should be eating. (Cats go by smell, so making it "stinky" and enticing is one tip.)
Good luck
Quote:
Originally Posted by ParallelJJCat
But it isn't as simple as you're making it out to be...a grain free diet does not guarantee crystals will never develop.
People not knowing that this information is even available, however, is the reason which the issue is so excessively common in cats. How many are false-positives due to the handling? (as Doctor Pierson explained.)
The unsuspecting majority feed species-inappropriate "prescription" diets containing high carb content, only with salt/sodium higher in the ingredients to get species with low thirst drive to begin with, to drink more ...because they are led by everyone (mainstream) to believe foods which are too high in carbs are "just fine".
See post above yours for perfect example.
Don't think that's fair to cats or their owners, JMHO -- also considering the $$$, and optional food choices for that $$$. Vet tells OP that her cat may/would need "prescription" food for life, depending on the urine. This is allll toooo common, and people are entitled to know the most common reasons for this, IMO.
Hopefully other members who have had the same predicament as JJ (if memory serves) will chime in if happen to stumble on this thread. Best wishes.
Last edited by Pamina333; 10-08-2012 at 05:58 PM..
It increases his/her urine volume, while decreasing the saturation of urine with calcium oxalate and struvite. It provides a nutritionally complete meal for your adult feline companion. With Royal Canin, you and your cat can breathe a sigh of relief!
Nurtritionally complete? For what, a rat? Cats are obligate carnivores!
Relief? Not if cats are still experiencing symptoms of God only knows what.
This product may only be purchased with the approval of a veterinarian and may require verification of a prescription before it is shipped.* We will collect any necessary information at checkout and verify a prescription if required.
If required? Will online outlets refuse my money if I try to buy this stuff without a "prescription"?
Didn't notice any medicine in ingredients, as "prescription" implie$. If that's not consumer fraud, don't know what is.
Cats aren't even capable of chewing the stuff. Vets "prescribing" this stuff should be questioned about animal abuse and malpractice, for they should know better. Let them try swallowing Captain Crunch cereal whole or merely shattered for a day, let alone years -- which is all cats are capable of doing with cereal.
My oldest boy was hospitalized for a blockage when he was about two. He found me so I am not sure of his age but guess he is 10 or 11 now.
In terms of diet, I feed him (and the other kitties) the Friskies urinary tract special diet. There are two flavors that I have seen, one is ocean whitefish, which they all prefer and the other is a turkey giblet. The cans are labeled special diet. I add some water to them as well. They do like to have dry food available and for that I give them Purina One's special diet for urinary tract health.
Sometimes I get the SD prescription dry, but they will not touch the SD canned.
My vet, who is a feline specialist, says that it is also important to verify that he is adequately urinating every day. Fortunately I can tell which "contribution" is his if I don't actually see him urinating. He is not a cuddler but is very touchable and I regularly touch and manipulate the lower belly. My vet said that if he was blocking that area would be tender and he would be resistant.
He was neutered before he found me.
Yes, I have had the experience of not being able to buy rx foods without a script. Not all Petsmart's have the perscription foods department but I had stopped in at one that did and wanted to buy a bag of dry and they would not sell it to me without a vet's authorization. So, now I carry a prescription for his food in my wallet.
His urine is tested twice a year and his next appointment will be soon.
I have been feeding my cat several of the canned foods that I bought after reviewing the lists of quality canned food & he does like them.
but we went back to the vet and he still has the crystals. He does not like the dry royal canin food AT ALL but will eat a little of the canned.
I'm also mixing water in with any canned food he eats.
I'm taking him back for another test in 3 weeks and really hoping the crystals will be gone.
Dreaming,
Since you are certainly open to learning more. Here is a bit more info...
Snip
Quote:
Always keep in mind that water flowing through the urinary tract system is the most important factor in keeping it healthy.
Note that I said "water" - not "crystals" or "urine pH" - or any of the expensive, low-quality, "prescription diets" often recommended by veterinarians.
Crystals are not an abnormal finding in cat urine. However, they can become a problem if
Man continues to insist on feeding the cat a water-depleted diet. Stones, or a large amount of crystals,
can cause a fatal rupture of the bladder by blocking the outflow of urine. (See Opie’s story at catinfo.org -
Feline Urinary Tract Health.)
Last edited by Lola4; 10-22-2012 at 03:36 PM..
Reason: added more info
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