[Heather Sharada]

My neighbour Sandra has a black cat called "Tom" - he is a neuter and somewhat prone to get bladder blockages - 3 bouts so far. Vets seem to be of the opinion it is not his kidneys.

I was wondering what is the best food to feed him and also is there anything that people have used to reduce formation of crystals?

[Advert]

---

[fleabag]

Heather ,my Fleabag had crystals ..and after clearing him up with prescription dry ..I was able to change him over to Optimum which has a very similar chemical make-up. I think Sara used Ural?? to balance urine too ..but I cant swear to that.

[{Wild-cat}]

Science Diet CD from the vet, you can get it dry and wet form tins, which i think is quite good for cats that have been use to wet food diets.

[Lotus]

I have had this happen with a couple of male cats. One was a neuter and the other was a stud male.
The particular prescription food to use depends on the type of crystals present, ie, Struvite or Oxalate.
I personally would advise seeing a different vet if they have so far not sorted it out with diet and the appropriate medications (usually a/b and meds to address the urine pH). If he is having bladder blockages this is very serious and may damage his kidneys.

This post has been edited by Lotus: 18 October 2009 - 04:00 PM

[catsmeow]

Various supermarket suitable for crystals or prescription dry and wet food for crystals.

Also could try Urinacid tablets. Available from vets and online pet places http://www.petsuppli...m?ProductID=314 Shop around as prices can vary greatly

This post has been edited by catsmeow: 18 October 2009 - 03:44 PM

[Heather Sharada]

I was speaking to Sandra yesterday - I was the driver that rushed him to the vet last episode and he had his bladder drained and had an ultrasound on his kidneys which showed they were in fine shape.

It was a Saturday and he sent her home with a letter for Lort Smith and no antibiotics and the referral letter said grave condition. This lady is a pensioner (cannot afford $800 plus for his treatment) and does not drive and spent a sleepless night watching him and worrying that his bladder would burst and he would die horribly....in fact he never got to the Lort Smith and was asking for his breakfast by morning and has been fine ever since.

The vet who saw him on the Saturday had phoned on the Monday to see how he was and then sent a card wishing him continued well.

I am concerned he gets fed more effectively. Are the Urinacid tablets for animals or humans and where do you get them?

[Lotus]

Definitely do not ever feed supermarket dry food to a cat that has had a blocked bladder 3 times and who is prone to crystals. Go with the veterinary prescription diet relevant to the type of crystal. Acidurine tabs may be prescribed depending on pH and type of crystal. They should be obtained from a vet. Also a/b. It is also important to make sure plenty of fresh water is available and that he is getting enough fluids generally.

I would suggest going to a different vet..perhaps Lort Smith if $ is a problem. I have had a cat with a blocked bladder treated at Lort Smith late on a Saturday and they were very good....very thorough. They emptied the bladder, did tests and prescribed appropriate meds and diet. The cat was in really dire straits when we went in and he recovered well with the meds and continued diet, plus needed help emptying the bladder initially at home (I was taught how). It did not cost anything like $800 plus!
The lack of a/b given is of concern as the cystitis that is part of this condition needs a/b ( clav was prescribed for my 2). Crystals in the bladder are an irritant and low grade infection may remain, if not treated, with possible recurrence of problems.
If the problem is not resolved then he may need surgery (perineal urethrostomy).

This post has been edited by Lotus: 18 October 2009 - 04:03 PM

[Heather Sharada]

Liz I agree re the Supermarket food - neither vet - Jim or the one we went too wanted to give him AB's - no blood, no infection. The thought is that they squeezed the crystals out but no one has said what kind of crystals he has or develops.

[Lotus]

Did they check the urine for the presence and type of crystals?
I can only speak from my experience and what the vets did for my cats (and other cats I know of), but if it has now occurred 3 times then the problem clearly needs further attention, a more appropriate diet, and more aggressive treatment if it occurs again. A blocked bladder is very serious.

ETA. Have just remembered I also had a Balinese neutered girl with this a few years ago as well. Emergency treatment was required and was the same as for the 2 boys.

This post has been edited by Lotus: 18 October 2009 - 04:07 PM

[Zebette]

Our Ollie had a blocked bladder earlier this year and has been on the Scienne Diet C/D ever since with no further problems at this stage, you can also get the wet cans of it as well.

[{Wild-cat}]

Our Ollie had a blocked bladder earlier this year and has been on the Scienne Diet C/D ever since with no further problems at this stage, you can also get the wet cans of it as well.

As stated in my reply, Ive found that this food to be the best with Clients i have dealt with Well there cats anyway not them LOL

[Heather Sharada]

I'll pass the information on.

[bigred]

There's also a Royal Canin Urinary - I get the sachets of wet as well as the Science Diet C/D dry and Eukanuba/Iams low p/h wet. Rufus likes variety in his diet!

[charleycat]

Heather, the stuff from HAMPL is more expensive than the acid urine tablets but a lot less than $800! They did have homeopathic pillules for cystitis which were amazing - incredible results within four hours and a perfectly happy cat (aka Lucy!). They also believe that adding calcium ascorbate to all meals can prevent UTIs... They sell "packages" for health problems - I usually ask them to separate the products as the herbal ones aren't of much benefit to us. Meaning to say we've had dramatic results with the homeopathic side but very little change with the herbs.

Might be worth a look:
HAMPL - UTI and stones