Prescription food

[Tootsieangel]

Last weekend I had to get my cat to the vet because he started having problems urinating; he'd go in his box, stay there for 4 or 5 minutes and then only get out a small amount of urine. The vet didn't do any tests (which I'm starting to worry about now) only felt around his body and said my cat's bladder was empty. He said that with an infection, cats will get a burning sensation that makes them feel like they have to go, but as in my cat's case, since his bladder was empty, there was nothing to get out and that was why I was only seeing a few drops of pee. He was given an antibiotic and put on Hill's c/d. He is doing okay now.

I was a bundle of nerves at the time, but I think I remember the vet saying that I could use either the Hill's c/d or something from the store because a lot of brands now make food for urinary health and he needs something to maintain his ph levels? I went with the prescription food at the vet. I thought the stuff you find at the stores is not really effective or as good in treating problems of this nature?

[special]

Hills prescription c/d is an excellent food, and is fed to cats with FLUTD. (Feline Lower urinary Tract Disease)

A urine sample would have been good to find out if your cat is forming crystals (struvite or oxalate) or if he had a bacterial infection, or both.

Many vets will just keep kitty for the day, maybe give some sub q fluids and give the bladder time to fill, then take a sample right from the bladder to check for bacteria and crystals.

I have two females with FLUTD and they have been on the c/d multicare for many years. They are maintaining a healthy urine pH (6.5) checked annually, have bright eyes, boundless energy, thick glossy coats, and their stools are compact and low odor.

FLUTD is a little more serious in males as they can block suddenly without warning. A male's urethra is very narrow and even irritation can cause swelling and blockage, as can infection or crystals.

Once a male blocks it is certain (painful) death within 24 hours without veterinary intervention.

Congratulations on your quick action getting your cat to the vet right away. That his bladder was empty means he wasn't blocked this time, and as your vet explained, the irritation and pain from infection is what makes him feel like he has to pee all the time.

Hill's prescription food is made specifically for this problem, promotes proper pH, and also promotes more frequent urination and higher volume output.

It is important that your cat get plenty of water. If he is a poor drinker you can add it to his canned food, or even a little to the kibble, if he is eating that.

Also, you can start giving your cats Cosequin for cats capsules. This is a supplement for arthritis pain, but helps with FLUTD also, because it helps keep the bladder walls smooth. smooth walls in the bladder mean things (bacteria, crystals) will be less likely to stick to the bladder walls, and set up camp there. Instead they are flushed out when kitty pees.

Of course ask your vet before adding any supplement to a pet's diet, but cosequin is available without a prescription. I have three cats taking cosequin, one for arthritics and two for FLUTD.

[special]

here is a link to the Hill's prescription website where you can read about the food:

http://www.hillspet.com/hillspet/products/prescriptionDiet/prescriptionDiet.hjsp?JSESSIONID=JmKnwknbQLQXKPGH7 PPHcNbmfK57eIuGpellrff2thcyY4Y16pre!-1499113861!167846932!7005!8005

here is some info on cosequin for cats:
http://www.nutramaxlabs.com/products/animal/cosequin/cosequin_cat_FAQ.asp

the cosequin FAQ link explains how it works for bladder health a little differently from the way I understood it, but either way, it helps.

[Tootsieangel]

Thanks for your help, special. I'll look into the cosequin. Any benefit to other treats or supplements containing cranberry which claim to also help the urinary tract? I think I've seen those at pet food stores.

[special]

Thanks for your help, special. I'll look into the cosequin. Any benefit to other treats or supplements containing cranberry which claim to also help the urinary tract? I think I've seen those at pet food stores.

A while back I asked my vet about cranberry supplements for my FLUTD cats and she advised against it, saying it could make the urine too acidic. It's difficult to know what the correct amount is for a feline and you don't want to overcompensate, is what she was saying.