Cat has crystals. I have questions.

[Yooper]

Yesterday, my dh discovered something that looked like watery blood in the kitchen sink. We suspected a cat but could not figure out what it could be. I cleaned it up. Another one appeared later that night. We inspected each cat and saw nothing of concern. Then dh witnessed our younger cat peeing in the sink!!!!

So I called the vet as soon as they opened this morning and got her in right away. They asked for a urine sample which amazingly, I was able to get as my cat peed in the sink again right after I got off the phone. Because I have been vigorously cleaning the sink after each "episode", it was really clean and I was able to bring some in. It turns out she has crystals and a secondary infection of the bladder.

They gave her an antibiotic shot. That is my first question. This seems just a little too good to be true. It cost just a little more than the one-pill-a-day-for-10-days option. Are you kidding!?!? Who would voluntarily do this? My cat would seriously rip my hand off if I tried to give her a pill. The co-pays would be in the hundreds by the end of 10 days. GIVE HER THE SHOT! So, my question is, will the shot be as effective and does it have any side effects I should have been aware of before deciding?

Next, they prescribed a Science Diet prescription food for crystal prevention. It costs about the same as the food I buy now. But I buy organic food that my cats like a lot. They will eat the Science Diet but it just does not seem as healthy. Are there other foods that will prevent crystals that are of higher quality? Or are there other approaches to this problem I should explore? I have another cat who is 14 years old. She is doing very well on our current food. She would have to switch over too as there is no way to keep the crystal cat away from the older cat's food and the oider cat tends to let the other cat have dominance over the food.

And lastly, my kitty does not seem very happy. She is lethargic and really just wants to be left alone. What can I do to make her more comfortable?

[womenswisdom]

Yes, the Convenia injection she got should be effective for the entire course. They've had this available in human medicine for quite a while - we're just catching up in the vet field.

A prescription diet is a good idea if your cat has crystals. It keeps the urine within a certain pH range that discourages the formation of crystals. There are no OTC foods that will do this, any food intended to treat a medical problem must be dispensed by a vet to be sure your cat gets the correct food. I don't know of any organic cat foods that are formulated to prevent crystals and the most important thing is to control this medical issue.

Your cat is likely just feeling bad because of the infection. There isn't a whole lot you can do to make her more comfortable unless the vet will give you some pain meds for her. The vet I work for also frequently will give an injection of dexamethazone (an anti-inflammatory steriod) to help with the inflammation and discomfort. Your vet should recheck the urine at the end of the 10 days to make sure the infection is cleared and the diet is controlling the crystals (the vet should be able to get a sample via expressing the bladder or cystocentesis). If the infection is still present, you will want to have a culture and sensitivity done on urine drawn by cystocentisis (obtained directly from the bladder with a sterile needle - sounds painful but seriously the cats don't even react at all). That will identify the bacteria and what antibiotic(s) is is susceptible to. If your cat does not seem to be improving in a few days or gets worse, you may need to have x-rays taken to rule out a stone. Hope she starts feeling better soon!

[Oubliette8]

I think its important to know what kind of crystals they are- I know in dogs you can get struvite or oxalate crystals, and each needs a different approach. I would recommend doing some research on this. From what I've read, one type of crystal tends to clear up on its own, the other needs diet control. However, vets tend to recommend long term prescription diets for both types. Even if your cat does need a long term diet change, you have options beyond science diet. I know eagle pack gives product recommendation from their line for health issues, here's theirs for crystals- http://eaglepack.com/EP_PetHealth.html#crystals
You could also check the K9KidneyDiet group on Yahoo. They focus on dogs, but I would bet that they can direct you to resources for cats as well. I hear a lot of good things about them. http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/K9KidneyDiet/

[Yooper]

Originally Posted by Oubliette8

I think its important to know what kind of crystals they are- I know in dogs you can get struvite or oxalate crystals, and each needs a different approach. I would recommend doing some research on this. From what I've read, one type of crystal tends to clear up on its own, the other needs diet control. However, vets tend to recommend long term prescription diets for both types. Even if your cat does need a long term diet change, you have options beyond science diet. I know eagle pack gives product recommendation from their line for health issues, here's theirs for crystals- http://eaglepack.com/EP_PetHealth.html#crystals
You could also check the K9KidneyDiet group on Yahoo. They focus on dogs, but I would bet that they can direct you to resources for cats as well. I hear a lot of good things about them. http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/K9KidneyDiet/

Kitty has the struvite type. I am also kicking myself right now. I had the cats on the Eagle Pak food for years. Our local store quit carrying the line so I switched to the Planet Organic stuff they are on now. I wonder if that is not what "pushed her over the edge" so to speak.

[Yooper]

Originally Posted by womenswisdom

Yes, the Convenia injection she got should be effective for the entire course. They've had this available in human medicine for quite a while - we're just catching up in the vet field.

A prescription diet is a good idea if your cat has crystals. It keeps the urine within a certain pH range that discourages the formation of crystals. There are no OTC foods that will do this, any food intended to treat a medical problem must be dispensed by a vet to be sure your cat gets the correct food. I don't know of any organic cat foods that are formulated to prevent crystals and the most important thing is to control this medical issue.

Your cat is likely just feeling bad because of the infection. There isn't a whole lot you can do to make her more comfortable unless the vet will give you some pain meds for her. The vet I work for also frequently will give an injection of dexamethazone (an anti-inflammatory steriod) to help with the inflammation and discomfort. Your vet should recheck the urine at the end of the 10 days to make sure the infection is cleared and the diet is controlling the crystals (the vet should be able to get a sample via expressing the bladder or cystocentesis). If the infection is still present, you will want to have a culture and sensitivity done on urine drawn by cystocentisis (obtained directly from the bladder with a sterile needle - sounds painful but seriously the cats don't even react at all). That will identify the bacteria and what antibiotic(s) is is susceptible to. If your cat does not seem to be improving in a few days or gets worse, you may need to have x-rays taken to rule out a stone. Hope she starts feeling better soon!

Thanks! I am willing to keep her on the Science Diet if that is what it takes. The vet did say that she was OK with us experimenting with other foods after it has cleared up but she did not hold out much hope for anything over the counter. I just want to be triple sure I am not going to mess up my 14 yo cat by switching to this food. She has been so healthy and has never ever had a problem that required a vet visit (other than routine check-ups).

I am going to keep them on the Science Diet for a bit since I have a 10 pound bag. But now I am wondering about the Eagle Pak. Is it possible kitty was fine all this time because I happened to have her on that food? Would it be cruel to try it out again after this clears up? Now that I know this is a possibility, I can keep a closer eye on her behavior. Looking back, there had been signs that she was uncomfortable.

Kitty does seem to be feeling better today. No pee in the sink. Yet.

[rcr]

I would stick with what the vet recommended. Our kitty had a problem with crystals and actually blocked twice, so about $8,000 later in vet bills (emergency vets), we feed the special food. We actually have to feed all our cats the special food because we can't figure out a way to get fatty crystal cat to stop eating everybody else's food.

[Oubliette8]

I really dislike Science Diet, if my pet needed a special diet, I would investigate other solutions besides Science Diet. That's me, personally. I would consult the K9KidneyDiet folks. I don't know enough about crystals to make any reccomendations, but they should have some great leads. i also googled struvite cystals in cats and found this blog on the first page- http://www.greenlittlecat.com/?p=56 Is there a holistic vet in your area? They may also have ideas.

I know Royal Canin makes veterinary diets that are a little better than Science Diet. Wysong makes a really interesting line of vet diets that are almost entirely meat based. I think they look great but have no experience with them, my understanding is they are to be supplemented with the regular diet. And, of course, the Eagle Pack. If your cats did well on it before, I would give it a try. I also know that holistic vets in my area are strongly recommending that cats eat at least some wet food daily. Cats naturally take in much of their water from their prey, and they don't drink enough to make up for it when on dry food. Wet food is supposed to help their kidneys, particularly as they age.

[Yooper]

Originally Posted by Oubliette8

I really dislike Science Diet, if my pet needed a special diet, I would investigate other solutions besides Science Diet. That's me, personally. I would consult the K9KidneyDiet folks. I don't know enough about crystals to make any reccomendations, but they should have some great leads. i also googled struvite cystals in cats and found this blog on the first page- http://www.greenlittlecat.com/?p=56 Is there a holistic vet in your area? They may also have ideas.

I know Royal Canin makes veterinary diets that are a little better than Science Diet. Wysong makes a really interesting line of vet diets that are almost entirely meat based. I think they look great but have no experience with them, my understanding is they are to be supplemented with the regular diet. And, of course, the Eagle Pack. If your cats did well on it before, I would give it a try. I also know that holistic vets in my area are strongly recommending that cats eat at least some wet food daily. Cats naturally take in much of their water from their prey, and they don't drink enough to make up for it when on dry food. Wet food is supposed to help their kidneys, particularly as they age.

Thanks!

Yes the SD food is a concern for me. I compared the ingredients to the Eagle Pak and there is a HUGE difference.

Any tips on getting cats to eat wet food? Neither one will touch it. Sometimes they will lick a little but never actually eat any. I have tried a few brands. Would adding water to dry food help?

Our vet seemed OK with us experimenting with other foods after this cleared up. She said blockages very rarely occur in females and that she would be far more cautious if Kitty was male or older. She was thinking more like the cheapo "urinary track health" stuff from Purina. I think she thought I was trying to save money The SD stuff is cheaper than what we were feeding the cats so that is obviously not the case.

We do have a holistic vet. He has a waiting list but I will get us on it. The SD food is going to last for a while and I am going to use that up before I do anything as I do want to be sure Kitty kicks the crystals before we start with a clean slate.

[womenswisdom]

Originally Posted by Yooper

Thanks! I am willing to keep her on the Science Diet if that is what it takes. The vet did say that she was OK with us experimenting with other foods after it has cleared up but she did not hold out much hope for anything over the counter. I just want to be triple sure I am not going to mess up my 14 yo cat by switching to this food. She has been so healthy and has never ever had a problem that required a vet visit (other than routine check-ups).

I am going to keep them on the Science Diet for a bit since I have a 10 pound bag. But now I am wondering about the Eagle Pak. Is it possible kitty was fine all this time because I happened to have her on that food? Would it be cruel to try it out again after this clears up? Now that I know this is a possibility, I can keep a closer eye on her behavior. Looking back, there had been signs that she was uncomfortable.

Kitty does seem to be feeling better today. No pee in the sink. Yet.

I think I'd just keep them both on it until the end of the bag and if you want to try to switch back to your previous food, do it gradually over about a week. Then have your vet get a urine sample and check the pH levels and check for crystals. Royal Canin's Urinary SO formula is the one we most frequently suggest and have had excellent results with. Good luck!

[Yooper]

Originally Posted by womenswisdom

I think I'd just keep them both on it until the end of the bag and if you want to try to switch back to your previous food, do it gradually over about a week. Then have your vet get a urine sample and check the pH levels and check for crystals. Royal Canin's Urinary SO formula is the one we most frequently suggest and have had excellent results with. Good luck!

Great! They are due for their annual check-up in two months. The vet asked me to bring in a urine sample then. So that timeline should just work out. I will check out Royal Canin's stuff.

[Oubliette8]

Have you tried both the loaf style and the chunks in gravy style of wet food? Cats seem to prefer one or the other. I think many prefer to lick up the gravy and leave the chunks, but I would imagine the gravy would fulfill the same purpose of helping to keep them hydrated, chunks or not. I know Wellness Pouches are chunks in gravy, while cans are loaf style. I think Evangers makes some of each as well. Merrick might also have some gravy flavors, I'm unsure. In the higher end foods most are loaf style, it might take a bit of searching to find a chunks in gravy style in a quality cat food you like.