Crystals in his urine!!

[Adelle]

Ok so poor Batman has been having some inappropriate elimination issues lately so I took him to the vet. The vet said there's no infection, blood, etc, but there are crystals so I should switch to the food for that. Herein lies the problem, Batman is allergic to wheat! I can't give him that food! The vet's solution was then to give him to someone who would give him that food (yes because a change of ownership tooooootally affects allergies :eek:). So I've spent a good chunk of today online and calling pet supply stores looking for what I can do for my fluffy love!

So far it looks like Innova Evo (a combo of 1/2 canned and 1/2 dry) has been used to successfully treat crystal formation which is good because I usually feed Evo (we tried to switch to another food because it was easier to get, apparently that wasn't a wise decision!). Another option is to feed raw (we feed our dogs raw so it wouldn't be a huge switch) with some extra mineral powder (mostly taurine, but they said they'd check the specifics and call me tomorrow).

I just WILL NOT give up on him, he's my boy you know?? Anyway, I just wanted to know if ya'll had any other ideas/suggestions/experiences to share. Thanks. It's been a long day, for all of us!

[special]

You were smart to recognize that your Batman needed immediate veterinary attention! Hurray for you!

I wonder if your vet told you that crystal formation in a male cat is very serious. Males cats have a very narrow urethra which can block extremely quickly and suddenly. Once blocked a male will die in 24 hours without emergency veterinary treatment.

Did your vet discuss the two different forms of crystals? They are struvite and oxalate.

It's very important to know which kind Batman is forming. Except for special formulas like the Hill's prescription c/d multicare, feeding the wrong food can make things very much worse for him.

It is very important that you feed your male cat a food that is designed specifically for cats who form crystals in their urine. One of these is Hill's prescription c/d multicare. There is no wheat in it.

http://www.hillspet.com/hillspet/products/productDetails.hjsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=8455244417 83039

(I receive no benefit from recommending this food. Other brands also have a prescription multicare, not just Hill's, so you do have some choice, but I do not know if they contain wheat, the Hill's c/d does not)

I have two female cats with FLUTD who eat it, they have been on it for several years. While the the danger is not quite so great with females, I won't take any chances with them. Crystals are very uncomfortable for a kitty, male or female, or even downright painful.

My FLUTD cats get their urine tested annually and are maintaining a healthy 6.5 urine pH on the c/d multicare. They have boundless energy, with glossy thick coats and bright eyes. Their stools are compact and low odor which indicates very little of the food is "junk".

I also maintain them at a healthy weight (over weight cats are more prone to bladder and urinary tract infections) and add water to everything I feed them, to be sure they are well hydrated.

I highly recommend that you follow your vets advice and find a food specifically for cats who form either struvite or oxalate crystals, that meets your criteria.

Do let us know how Batman progresses.

[nanamouse]

Herein lies the problem, Batman is allergic to wheat! I can't give him that food! The vet's solution was then to give him to someone who would give him that food (yes because a change of ownership tooooootally affects allergies :eek:).


Is this the same vet who diagnosed his wheat allergy? If so it kind of puts me in mind of our wonderful old family doctor the last year before retirement, he had gotten rather befuddled, poor man. If not, the only practical advice I could offer is to find a vet who will actually listen to what you are saying.

[ferJenna]

Depending on the type of crystals, like Special said.. You may have to use Hill's s/d first. C/d is a maintenance food. S/d is more acidic to dissolve any crystals he has currently. We usually recommend switching to c/d after about 8 weeks.

[special]

Is this the same vet who diagnosed his wheat allergy? If so it kind of puts me in mind of our wonderful old family doctor the last year before retirement, he had gotten rather befuddled, poor man. If not, the only practical advice I could offer is to find a vet who will actually listen to what you are saying.

In my concern over the crystal issue I forgot to comment on that part.

I agree with Nana that you may want to find a new vet. But the fact remains that Batman needs to be on specially formulated food for the rest of his life.

[special]

Depending on the type of crystals, like Special said.. You may have to use Hill's s/d first. C/d is a maintenance food. S/d is more acidic to dissolve any crystals he has currently. We usually recommend switching to c/d after about 8 weeks.

thank you ferJenna, for adding this, as you say if the crystals are severe: s/d for struvite or x/d for oxalate may be prescribed for a couple of months first before starting the multicare c/d. I'll take a peek and see if they contain wheat.

<in edit> The Hill's prescription s/d (for struvite crystals) does not contain wheat. However x/d for oxalate is not listed. Has that formual been discontinued, Jennifer?

What is prescribed for oxalate now?

[ferJenna]

They don't, Special.. I had to make sure before posting.

We don't use x/d as often. I do believe struvite crystals are more predominant, but you know, every cat is different! :)

[special]

They don't, Special.. I had to make sure before posting.

We don't use x/d as often. I do believe struvite crystals are more predominant, but you know, every cat is different! :)

I had edited my post to say so, but you beat me to it.

I also mentioned in the edit that I did not see the x/d listed. If that has been discontinued I wonder what a vet would prescribe if the oxalate condition was severe?

I have sent Hill's an e mail asking about, but thought you might have some in put.

I'll post the answer here.

[ferJenna]

I don't remember, I haven't seen it in a very long time.. I should know, but I don't :)

The only urinary diets we carry are s/d, c/d, (u/d for dogs), Purina UR, and Royal Canin SO. Maybe they formulated the s/d to take care of both?

[special]

To Adelle (OP) I was just looking at the Evo dry cat food.

That food would be very dangerous for a cat who forms crystals.

The phosphorus and calcium are extremely high, and the 50 % protein is also way higher than I would ever feed any cat, unless that cat was severely obese, then short term for aid in weight loss. Magnesium is also too high

Evo

phospurous: 1.58

Calcium 2.45

magnesium 0.1

Hill's prescription c/d

phosphorus 0.5 -0.85

calcium 0.5

magnesium 0.05

this is why prescription foods are made for special health concerns.

[special]

I
The only urinary diets we carry are s/d, c/d, (u/d for dogs), Purina UR, and Royal Canin SO. Maybe they formulated the s/d to take care of both?

No that's what the c/d multicare is for, as you said, it's formulated to maintain cats who form either kind. The s/d is specifically for severe struvite crystals in the urine, and as you already pointed out, not meant for long term use.

I will post the reply from Hill's when it comes.

[RoxyGirl]

When Freklz had issues with crystals, the vet put him on Royal Canin Medi-Cal Weight control. I checked the ingredients and did not see any wheat, but i could be mistaken.

This food is formulated to manage urine pH and it helps prevent urinary crystals.

I don't know if you have this food in your area, but here is their website.
http://www.medi-cal.ca/

Freklz has been thriving since he is on this food, he is more energetic, his eyes are much clearer, his fur is so silky, and he has lost alot of weight.

I too, like special, add water to all of his food, 1/2 can of wet food mixed with 1/4 cup of water in the morning, and 1/4 cup of dry mixed with 1/4 cup of water in the evening.

I wish both of you the best of luck, I just went through a whole ordeal with Freklz last October, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone, it was horrible.

I will keep you both in my thoughts, and will be checking for updates. :)

[MandyPug]

My suggestion... as much as i believe hills foods are made by the devil himself... is to get rid of the crystals first with one of the short term foods. Once he's crystal free there is no need to put him on another hills product which could potentially cause different problems down the road (ie. diabetes, pancreatitis, etc.). Switch him to raw. Raw meat has high water content to get him the proper amounts of liquid plus it isn't full of nasty chemicals or carbs that could cause problems down the line. Raw is natural and pH balanced plus you can even supplement it with unsweetened watered down cranberry juice to promote urinary health and balance. None of our cat clients on raw food have ever had crystals of any sort, only the ones on kibble only diets.
Of course you already know all about raw that since your dog is on raw, so why not put your cat on it too! :p Good on ya for having an open mind about the optimal diets for carnivorous pets!

[ringletchk]

I strongly agree with Special about finding a new vet. I had to go through 4 vets to find a good one. See my thread "Skeeter's in having surgery" in the health section.

About a year after adopting Skeeter we found that he had crystals. The vet at the time put him on C/D which resolved the issue well. Since I've been switching around finding a good vet and now he has stones in his bladder.

Don't think its you when you are not happy with a vet because I've found some pretty bad ones out there that misdiagnosed or treated Skeeter badly and I refused to tolerate that and now I've found the vet from heaven.

[rayter]

I heard somewhere that cranberry juice is a natural remedy for crystals in urine and that it neutralizes crystals. Is this true?

[special]

I heard somewhere that cranberry juice is a natural remedy for crystals in urine and that it neutralizes crystals. Is this true?

cranberry helps acidify the urine which can make it an inhospitable place for crystals and bacteria.

best to visit the vet first, of course.