Urinary Crystals- request feedback please

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pepperthecat1969

pepperthecat1969

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catinfo.org

I have read Dr. Pierson's information on Urinary Health. I will reread it again later today.

My male cat-Pepper has crystals and has been placed on canned and dry Hills s/d. He has been on this now for at least 2 wks. He is peeing and yet he continues to lick his tummy and in the last day or so is sitting kinda weird. He is a fat cat so hard to tell- however my gut told me he looked weird sitting in that position on his butt. He has been examined twice and had a full wellness panel done. Doesn't mind me placing pressure around on his tummy EXCEPT by his kidneys. There were large crystals in the urine sample. The urine sample I brought in along with a very small hard stool sample. I have since syringed him the s/d so I know he is getting fluids. should I be giving sub Q fluids?

I need to review the information once again on catinfo.org.. my gut tells me to pay for the xray to really know what is going on yet before I do that I would welcome ANY feedback from this forum. I have a feeling I am definitely missing some key points/actions. thankyou.
 
Does he not eat the wet? Because otherwise, I'd just ditch the dry. If he eats wet in general, but not that s/d wet, any canned will be better than the s/d dry.

That said, I would have the vet do a cystocentesis (they take urine directly from the bladder) and look for crystals right away. This was all suggested to me by Dr. Lisa--my vets were being very careless in how they were going about diagnosing infections and crystals. Apparently, not only are some crystals normal, they begin to grow immediately after being exposed to the air. If there is an overgrowth of crystals, the only way to flush them out is with water and the dry isn't going to do it. If you think your kitty's uncomfortable, try some slippery elm bark. I've had luck with that with belly issues and acts to coat the bladder as well (http://www.holisticat.com/flutd.html).

Good luck. I know what a pain this can be.
 
Thank you. I'm working on switching him entirely to s/d canned. he has been slow going but every day gets better and better. Yes what a pain this is.. I'm worried every day he is going to block, is he uncomfortable, is he in pain. I did talk to my vet about that and he agreed it is a much cleaner sample. With that said the amt of crystals int he sample I brought was high with some being very large so he felt that that showed in general there are crystals -not just sludge and warranted the s/d food. upon bringing Pepper back in his wt did not change, tummy was fine, anal glands were expressed and fine. Since blood panel was fine the next step is another urine sample as well as xray. xray is expensive and I have a diabetic cat and hyperthyroid I'm dealing with as well for cost and a breast cancer cat that has progressed -so must put money aside for her when the time is right to go to the rainbow bridge.

I don't want to be a worry wart but I just don't feel like I"m doing enough for Pepper.
 
I know the feeling--but you're doing plenty. Honestly, just give him as much meat as possible, cooked meat, canned food, whatever--just get him off the dry.

And really, try the slippery elm. It's cheap and is a great all-around tool. It's a relief when they get some relief, even if it's temporary.
 
Health food store or any market geared toward that sort of thing, like Whole Foods. I got the capsules. I just boil some water and add 2 tablespoons of water to then contents of the emptied capsule, then wait for it to cool down and syringe 1 ml to 1.5 ml or so. I put the rest in the fridge--it stays good about a week. The only real instruction is to give it 30-60 minutes away from food because the coating effect can interfere with absorption. Doesn't seem to taste bad, either--I don't get that much of a reaction from my cat.

Sounds like you've got your hands full over there. I wish you all the best.
 
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