Oh, Nini! You have the worst luck!

I'm so sorry for little Wicket! *hugs*

I wish I knew something to tell you; all I can offer is my support!

I bet AddFran will know something.

I didn't even know there was such a thing!

Oh, here! I found this: http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_th ... d_cat.html

 

Martell had struvite crystals. The vet put him on Hills s/d (she wanted to give him DRY food, which would only compound the problem, but I got the canned!) for 4-6 weeks, and after, when he was retested, the Hills had swung him so far the other way that he had developed oxalate crystals.

He ended up taking Royal Canin Urinary SO for the NEXT 6 weeks, and that ultimately cleared up the problem. Now he is on a better quality, all wet food (Eagle Pack) and has to be monitored periodically to make sure the crystals don't recur.

I wouldn't try the Hills if you can avoid it!

Here's the thread: http://www.catforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=37267

^ there is a LOT of information in there... I did tons of research during the process. It seems so overwhelming at first, and the fact that you can't get a straight answer out of a vet sure doesn't make it any easier.

Best wishes... I hope that helps some.

 

Thanks a lot for the hugs, I will pass them on!

Thanks Morea for the link... I am going to start reading it right now.
I am really at a loss, since this kitten has been eating nothing but top canned food (Wellness, Felidae, Innova, Evo) for the past three months.

I did add water to their food at every meal during the heatwave, and stopped doing it when it got cooler, I wonder if it contributed to it?

Poor little Wicket is not a lucky boy

 

Okay... so after reading a few threads about this in the archives, here is a tentative plan - please feel free to correct or suggest!!

- no dry food at all (he only gets about 5 pieces of kibble a day as it is, but still)
- ban fish from his diet
- feed premium, grain-free canned food (which is already most of his diet, only the Innova and Felidae have grain)
- keep adding spring water to his food
- start him - and the other cats - on BioSuperfood
- feed raw once a day (wish I could afford all-raw)

Now my main question is, would it be safe for a kitten to eat the canned prescription food to dilute the crystals, for a few weeks? Or will it interfere with his growth? The vet was concerned about this, which is why he wants to check with Hills and call me back tomorrow.

I am scared, but a little relieved to see that a number of members here have dealt with this relatively easily, with cats that remained healthy afterwards.

 

Actually, they find crystals in the urine of a lot of cats. Did they check for stones? That would probably have been done via x-ray or ultrasound. What were his symptoms? Did they mention his urine PH? Are they concerned about a blockage, or just mentioned there were crystals in the urine? May not be as big of a deal just yet, and since he's so young, but definately something you need to monitor and keep a close eye on. They sell cranberry capsules you can put in food, NO dry food, add extra water to the canned food and NO MORE FISH. Poor thing, this is the last thing you needed to have to worry about.

 

I've gone through this and I would recommend that you use the prescription food 100%, at least until the urinalysis is clear of crystals and back to normal pH. It's the only thing that's been clinically proven to be effective. Do use the wet prescription food. There are four brands, so you should be able to find something that he'll eat. Purina, Eukanuba, Hills, and Royal Canin. Once he's free and clear, then your plan is excellent for maintenance.

 

Sorry we were posting at the same time practically.
Why don't you give him one meal of the hills food per day if you are worried about his nutritional intake being affected. Or, ask the doctor if you can get the methionine as a prescription? (not sure, but I think you can). A lot of pork and other garbage in hills, I'd avoid it for the long term but if you are more comfortable giving it for a few weeks, it probably won't hurt too much, though at his size I wonder if he'd be more prone to quickly get oxalate crystals - you'll have to be careful make sure you go to all follow up visits and have the urinalysis done as needed.

 

Kringle had a blockage a year ago and after all the medicine and the couple weeks of being on prescription I/D (one of those foods you can only get at the vets office) weve kept him on wet food only. We always add A LOT of spring water to his food (some times we heat it up for him because he likes it warm) so that his food is soupy. Fortunately you caught the problem before it became a blockage! I know how frustrating this whole situation is especially since you have been so careful with your cats' diets. Good luck!!!

 

He's still urinating right? He's not blocked but there were some crystals in his urine. If that's the case, I would not do the prescription diet at this point. Just do all the things you listed and watch him very closely.
When Little-one had this last year I did add a tiny bit of cranberry to his food for about a week but, it sounds like he was a little worse than your little guy. Cranberry is great but you have to be very careful not to over do it and end up with oxalate crystals (as mentioned above).
I know it's really upsetting and frustrating, especially when you have been so careful about his diet, but these kitties have been through a lot. Don't forget (if I'm right) they were on some heavy antibiotics just about a month ago and this could very well be just his system still clearing stuff out. It can take a few months for all those toxins to get fully out of them and balance back out.
I think just the best nutrition, lots of fluids, no treats or dry etc and he'll be fine.

 

I did not get a chance to ask the vet any questions, I was busy when he called and just got his voicemail, saying Wicket "had struvite crystals" and he would call again tomorrow.

Wicket's symptoms were pretty mild - he is peeing normally right now, no blood in his urine, no blockage. I did see him whine tonight as he jumped out of one litterbox to run into another, but with him you can never tell, sometimes he whines/chirps just for fun... :?

I will definitely call the vet back tomorrow morning first thing, and ask about the urine PH, the number of crystals, and the overall severity of the situation. Then I will post everything he says right here and you guys can help me figure out what is best

It's just so frustrating to be doing your best, and see that all four cats have something wrong... Mew and her sores, Isis and her hyperesthesia, Wicket and the crystals, and Chewie who is back to having nasty nasty poop while I am still waiting on my order of enzymes to start the second part of their treatment.

 

We all know how frustrating this can be, but just try to hang in there.
Believe me, I know how you feel and how it seems like it never ends. It's been a rough year here too!

If it makes you feel better, I'm still dealing with it. Got two lopsided squinty eyed kitties right now and Phoebe is supposed to be spayed tomorrow but since she's got this herpes/cold thing happening, sneezing and all (I'm suspecting Mahlee brought something home with her from the vet when she was spayed 2 weeks ago) I'm going to wait on Phoebe until her immune system is stronger. Not going to miss the appointment though, I'm brining little Fenny in her place. :roll:

 

We all know how frustrating this can be, but just try to hang in there.
Believe me, I know how you feel and how it seems like it never ends. It's been a rough year here too!

I know... you have had more than your fair share of worries, heartache and vet bills too

One of these stupid companies I sent resumes to better get back to me soon, because if I had a job and assured income, I would feel so much better already - knowing that I have money coming in, and will be able to afford whatever care the kitties may need.

I am really placing a lot of hope in the BioSuperfood/ partial switch to raw combo... because if even that can't make them healthier, then I have no idea what will :?

Sorry to hear that you are STILL battling the squinty eye syndrome... that one is sooo frustrating too. It comes and goes, and nothing you do seems to keep it at bay for sure. Why do those kitties have to be so weak??

(Fingers crossed for little Fenway getting the big fix tomorrow... I hope it goes smoothly!)

 

My mothers cat Liam had a recurring crystal problem for years and the only thing that put him back on track was prescription food. I'm now well trained in the art of recognising UTI.

Poor Wicket. I hope things improve soon for him and the rest of the crew. Sounds pretty stressful right now.

[[[[hugs]]]]

Blimey. This is almost making me think how lucky I am with Toby and his health.

 

Thank you so much everyone, for the support and the precious information and advice... I think I would have gone completely nuts looooong ago without this forum

Wicket is tearing down the house with Mew right now... he spent the whole day sleeping, and now they are having one serious bout of crazies - warms my heart to see them having fun together

He also went #1 and #2 a while ago, without efforts.
Chewie is passed out from getting her second shot today (Wicket's will have to wait til the crystal problem is dealt with), and Isis is pretending to sleep in a big effort to ignore everyone else...

Gawd how I love these critters to pieces

 

Sorry, I never have any advice to give on health topics, but I do follow the threads. Glad to hear Wicket and Mew are rearranging your house for you. Cute little interior decorators. :luv

 

I've gone through this and I would recommend that you use the prescription food 100%, at least until the urinalysis is clear of crystals and back to normal pH. It's the only thing that's been clinically proven to be effective. Do use the wet prescription food. There are four brands, so you should be able to find something that he'll eat. Purina, Eukanuba, Hills, and Royal Canin. Once he's free and clear, then your plan is excellent for maintenance.

That's what I would do, too. Crystals - especially in a male cat - scare the daylights right out of me.

 

I've gone through this and I would recommend that you use the prescription food 100%, at least until the urinalysis is clear of crystals and back to normal pH. It's the only thing that's been clinically proven to be effective. Do use the wet prescription food. There are four brands, so you should be able to find something that he'll eat. Purina, Eukanuba, Hills, and Royal Canin. Once he's free and clear, then your plan is excellent for maintenance.

That's what I would do, too. Crystals - especially in a male cat - scare the daylights right out of me.

Tell me about it - I spent all evening trying not to panic and break down into tears :?

I will use the prescription food for sure, I just HOPE they will take his size into account... I don't want him to end up with the other kind of crystals!

 

stick to the Royal Canin if at all possible - that is used to treat both kinds of crystals, so you won't have to worry about it.

 

stick to the Royal Canin if at all possible - that is used to treat both kinds of crystals, so you won't have to worry about it.

That sounds odd though - I thought you needed to acidify the urine to get rid of the struvite crystals, and to alkanalize it to get rid of the other kind of crystals? How can one food do both?

 

Don't forget the things that can cause struvite crystals that have nothing to do with the cat, like leaving the urine sitting on the counter for an hour before it's analyzed. What was the pH?

Many prescription foods are specifically contraindicated for kittens. Any good quality, high meat/protein content, all-life-stages canned food would do the same thing. And the rest of your plan sounds spot-on!

http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?a ... w&item=017

 

I will ask the vet when exactly was the urine sent to the lab... he will probably hate me more then he already does, but who cares :lol:

He is supposed to call me back in a bit - I will ask him exactly how many crystals were found, the PH, and ask about prescription food being contra-indicated for kittens and the possibility of creating the other kind of crystals...

I should refuse the prescription food then?

 

From the Royal Canin website:

ROYAL CANIN Veterinary DietTM/MC feline URINARY SOTM/MC IN GEL is a palatable, complete diet for adult cats specifically designed to ensure the production of a urine undersaturated with struvite and with a level of calcium oxalate saturation at which spontaneous homogeneous crystallization will not occur. This is achieved through the production of a large volume of moderately acidic, dilute urine and controlled magnesium, calcium, and oxalate levels

(don't ask me to interpret that) :lol:

It also says:

Clinically proven to reduce the reoccurrence of clinical signs of feline idiopathic or interstitial cystitis.

Effectively dissolves pure struvite uroliths.

Increasing the urine volume simultaneously reduces the saturation of urine with calcium oxalate and struvite preventing the two major types of urolithiasis.

http://www.walthamusa.com/Learning%20Ce ... anned.html

 

For what it's worth, I only used the prescription food for about 2 weeks or so after Trot's surgery and we've been doing fine on just raw/canned/extra water in food since then for maintenance.

 

For what it's worth, I only used the prescription food for about 2 weeks or so after Trot's surgery and we've been doing fine on just raw/canned/extra water in food since then for maintenance.

Still no news from the vet... can't wait til he calls back.
I know they carry Hills, not sure if they have the Royal Canin. I am still worried about the impact of the food on such a small kitten... I will discuss it with the vet, as I don't want to feed him that longer than utterly necessary - can't make a decision without all the details that I need from the vet... wait wait wait... :?

 

Keep giving him lots o water in his food until then!