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Levi and the emergency hospital, and what foods are best for struvitecrystals?
He's okay now, but I wanted to drop in and let you know that this
group probably saved his life... or at least saved him a lot of pain and suffering. He was straining to urinate in the wee hours this morning but I didn't really "get it" until he tried to pee in the sink. Instead of getting upset and putting him in the litter box, I immediately realized, because of this group, that he was probably associating the litter box with pain and there was trouble. I slowly backed out of the bathroom and let him keep trying. He was unable to pass urine for nearly 20 minutes. Off to the hospital we went. I didn't even bother with my regular vet because I envisioned a lengthy hospital stay and I wanted him someplace where they are staffed with vets 24/7. They took him in right away (I called on my way and said I thought he might have a blockage) and thankfully they were able to squeeze some urine out. They did find blood and struvite crystals. We're waiting on the culture results, but the xray didn't show any problems, thank goodness. He was passing urine with no problem after getting SubQ fluids so he is home with me now. They also gave him an enema to help him pass some pretty dry stool (side effect of dehydration). While he was in the hospital (all day), I bought him a water fountain (which he already loves!) to encourage him to drink more, and did some very thorough research on food. He has been eating Evo dry and wet, but lately more dry (I could kick myself), and lately he has been under a lot of stress due to a home remodel (so probably not drinking enough). The Evo wet looks good with the exception of a surpisingly low protein content relative to the prescription foods. I plan to discuss food with our vet next week when he has his follow-up, but would greatly appreciate some recommendations from those of you with experience in this area. I am only considering wet food, and naturally have a strong preference for a brand that didn't have problems during the nightmare recalls. Ideally I would like to leave him on what I know he will eat (Evo wet only now), but not if it's going to make the problem worse. Suggestions and advice would be greatly appreciated. Also, what is your opinion or experience with the supplement for acidifying the pH, Methioform? His was on the high side and the emergency vet said I should add it to his diet if we stay on the Evo wet (or any commercial food). WOW. The little kitten who swallowed the latex teat is going to be 2 in August and he still clearly cannot handle stress, so we're also gonna start using Feliway for my little boy. I hope you and your cats are all doing well!! |
#2
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Levi and the emergency hospital, and what foods are best for struvite crystals?
"Lynne" wrote in message ... He's okay now, but I wanted to drop in and let you know that this group probably saved his life... or at least saved him a lot of pain and suffering. [...] [...] WOW. The little kitten who swallowed the latex teat is going to be 2 in August and he still clearly cannot handle stress, so we're also gonna start using Feliway for my little boy. Lynn, I hope Levi makes a speedy recovery. (I've never had boy cats or a cat with this problem ... wish I had something more helpful to offer, but I'll be thinking about you. |
#3
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Levi and the emergency hospital, and what foods are best for struvitecrystals?
Lynne wrote:
They took him in right away (I called on my way and said I thought he might have a blockage) and thankfully they were able to squeeze some urine out. They did find blood and struvite crystals. We're waiting on the culture results, but the xray didn't show any problems, thank goodness. He was passing urine with no problem after getting SubQ fluids so he is home with me now. They also gave him an enema to help him pass some pretty dry stool (side effect of dehydration). I know how you must have felt; this happened to my guy about 8 years ago (he was 2). Scary isn't it? The same thing with mine - blood, struvite and also had to have a catheter put in and stayed at the vet for a few days! My poor little guy. discuss food with our vet next week when he has his follow-up, but would greatly appreciate some recommendations from those of you with experience in this area. I am only considering wet food, and naturally have a strong preference for a brand that didn't have I put mine on Hill's s/d (struvite diet) for a month (which my vet gave me); then I put him on Hill's c/d (again from the vet), then I changed to Hill's Science Diet (at pet store). He's been fine for the past 8 years but for the first year or two, I was still nervous something would happen. He wasn't a good water drinker or canned food eater before it happened but I was an idiot back then and just *assumed* he was drinking when I wasn't around. Now he eats canned (I also leave out some dry as he likes to nibble when I'm out) and I make sure he drinks water now - loves to drink from the bathroom tap for some reason! Also, what is your opinion or experience with the supplement for acidifying the pH, Methioform? His was on the high side and the Never had to use any supplement with him. emergency vet said I should add it to his diet if we stay on the Evo wet (or any commercial food). Personally, I wouldn't feed him the same food he was eating when it happened; I would be nervous to. Riannon -- Message posted via CatKB.com http://www.catkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx...ealth/200804/1 |
#4
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Levi and the emergency hospital, and what foods are best for struvite crystals?
"Riannon via CatKB.com" u42022@uwe wrote Personally, I wouldn't feed him the same food he was eating when it happened; I would be nervous to. Sure makes sense to me. |
#5
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Levi and the emergency hospital, and what foods are best forstruvite crystals?
While he was in the hospital (all day), I bought him a water fountain (which he already loves!) to encourage him to drink more, and did some very thorough research on food. *He has been eating Evo dry and wet, but lately more dry (I could kick myself), and lately he has been under a lot of stress due to a home remodel (so probably not drinking enough). *The Evo wet looks good with the exception of a surpisingly low protein content relative to the prescription foods. When you compare nutritional values, you need to compare the dry matter basis on the Innova Evo--which excludes the water. If you do this, you'll find that the Evo has one of the highest protein contents out there. An all-canned diet would be an excellent idea for this cat, Innova Evo is great as is Wellness canned (make sure to get the grain free varieties) or Nature's Variety canned. You also need to read this article: http://community-2.webtv.net/getcathelp/urinarytract/ |
#6
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Levi and the emergency hospital, and what foods are best forstruvite crystals?
On Apr 28, 3:05*pm, "Rene S." wrote:
While he was in the hospital (all day), I bought him a water fountain (which he already loves!) to encourage him to drink more, and did some very thorough research on food. *He has been eating Evo dry and wet, but lately more dry (I could kick myself), and lately he has been under a lot of stress due to a home remodel (so probably not drinking enough). *The Evo wet looks good with the exception of a surpisingly low protein content relative to the prescription foods. When you compare nutritional values, you need to compare the dry matter basis on the Innova Evo--which excludes the water. If you do this, you'll find that the Evo has one of the highest protein contents out there. An all-canned diet would be an excellent idea for this cat, Innova Evo is great as is Wellness canned (make sure to get the grain free varieties) or Nature's Variety canned. You also need to read this article:http://community-2.webtv.net/getcathelp/urinarytract/ Hi everyone, thanks for your responses. Levi was eating Evo DRY previously, and some wet, but lately mostly dry because I was being lazy so the wet was a change. The foods are dramatically different when you compare the nutritional analysis. The emergency doctor compared the key ingredients of Evo wet to the prescription diets and thought it might be enough to take care of the problem. Today his pH was lower, at 6.5. Which is good news as it was high previously. Unfortunately, he now has both types of bladder crystals and continues to strain to pee. He's starting on a special diet to dissolve the crystals and will remain on it for a month and then be re-checked. Our vet thinks he should respond well. If I can get him to eat it... He will never get dry food again, that is for sure, and hopefully we can find something he likes that works. I'll read that article, Rene, thank you for posting the link. I'll report back, I know a lot of you are fond of him over the wires. Thanks again! |
#7
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Levi and the emergency hospital, and what foods are best forstruvite crystals?
Forgot to mention that he will be (fingers crossed!) eating Hills S/D
wet for a month and then re-checked. He likes to go to the litter box when I use the bathroom (he's so cute), and since I have an office at home, I can keep a very close eye on his potty habits. It's been hard to watch him strain so much. I hate that he is in pain. Hopefully that will change, and soon. |
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