cat supposedly has crystals, and needs prescription food. how much truth is there to this?

Beanie went to the vet for UTI symptoms last week. They performed an Xray, Ultrasound, and Bloodwork. Everything came back completely clear aside from a little bit of sediment in his bladder…”believed to be caused by the UTI.”

They could not get a urine sample at the time, so I was sent home with a collection kit (litter and vials). I collected his urine which was about 90% blood, incredibly disheartening, and I brought this back to the vet when they opened about 10hrs later.

They said there was too much blood for it to be an accurate sample, but they did find bacteria and “very few crystals”. After getting a second opinion from another vet, I was told crystals will form in a cat’s urine if the sample is a few hours old, and when determining if a cat has crystals, it MUST be determined through Cystocentesis…which in his case, it was not.

They had put him on antibiotics immediately, and he is back to 100% normal. Eating, drinking, playing, socializing. However, they want him to be placed on a Veterinary urinary care diet of my choosing…..in which my research of has caused me to nearly lose my mind. The carb percentages in these diets are insane! Beanie is in diabetic remission and has been for 5 years. He eats strictly almost zero carbs. I asked my vet about Tiki Cat Silver and Tiki Veterinary PH, he approved the Veterinary PH but said Silver isn’t good….okay, I’ll get Tiki Vet…but I’m in Canada and can’t order it anywhere! Vet insists Royal Canin SO is fine, but the carbs are insane. Am I wrong for thinking this is all a little strange? A little more info, this all started when my partner left Beanies litter scoop in his litter box for a whole day. Could the stress of not accessing his litterbox have caused the UTI, which in turn caused the crystals? I dunno. *sigh*

I don't believe his urine sample was an accurate depiction of crystals, and I don't trust that the carb filled prescription food wont upset his diabetes. I’ve been sucked right into the catfood rabbithole and I’m really, really stressed out about it. If any of you can offer me any advice at all, I’d be incredibly grateful. I’m so scared for my little buddy.
 
, I’ll get Tiki Vet…but I’m in Canada and can’t order it anywhere! Vet insists Royal Canin SO is fine, but the carbs are insane. Am I wrong for thinking this is all a little strange?

It's definitely strange. I am having the same reaction to the suggestion of Royal Canin SO as you are: "No, thank you." My suspicion is that there are non-percription diets in Canada that would be suitable and more cost-effective.
Tagging members who I suspect might know...
@Wendy&Neko
@Diane Tyler's Mom GA
@Bron and Sheba (GA)
@Red & Rover (GA)
 
Hi from BC! This is definitely a familiar story. My kitty's buddy was diagnosed with crystals one week after Neko's FD diagnosis and I was given CD to take home (also high carbs). She was starving and I had to police the meals. I went to his vet and asked for a food both could eat, and she recommenced raw food, so I switched. Later on I read this page by a vet specializing in feline nutrition: https://catinfo.org/feline-urinary-tract-diseases/. Turns out a low carb food, with lower phosphorus and plenty of water added also worked.
 
Hi from BC! This is definitely a familiar story. My kitty's buddy was diagnosed with crystals one week after Neko's FD diagnosis and I was given CD to take home (also high carbs). She was starving and I had to police the meals. I went to his vet and asked for a food both could eat, and she recommenced raw food, so I switched. Later on I read this page by a vet specializing in feline nutrition: https://catinfo.org/feline-urinary-tract-diseases/. Turns out a low carb food, with lower phosphorus and plenty of water added also worked.


Thank you for the info and the link! Do folks here have a general consensus on Tiki Cat Silver? I went out and bought some, as the phosphorus is much lower than the flavour I’m currently feeding him. I’ve bought him a fountain as well…and started adding much more water to his food :’)
 
It's definitely strange. I am having the same reaction to the suggestion of Royal Canin SO as you are: "No, thank you." My suspicion is that there are non-percription diets in Canada that would be suitable and more cost-effective.
Tagging members who I suspect might know...
@Wendy&Neko
@Diane Tyler's Mom GA
@Bron and Sheba (GA)
@Red & Rover (GA)


Thank you for tagging others, and letting me know I’m not going crazy! It all just sounds weird..the bad urinalysis, and the “unimportant” carb percentage in the recommended food..It’s all so stressful. I’m happy you folks are so kind.
 
Thank you for tagging others, and letting me know I’m not going crazy! It all just sounds weird..the bad urinalysis, and the “unimportant” carb percentage in the recommended food..It’s all so stressful. I’m happy you folks are so kind.

You are most welcome. Your bulls**t detector is very good; it did not fail you! I am glad you found us.:D
 
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