- Joined
- Apr 24, 2008
- Messages
- 8
- Purraise
- 1
Hello everyone...I'm new to the forum. I need some advice. I'm worried.
My cat presented with blood in his urine; i took him to the emergency vet last night and he was diagnosed with idiopathic cystitis. He's in the hospital right now for a more accurate diagnosis; as only a small urine sample was collected I'd like to be certain it's non-bacterial. I've been reading and reading, and was informed of link (although specific mechanisms can't be identified) between dry food and UT disorders. My cat eats dry cat food - Innova Evo - which has no grains, low carbs, high protein, as I'm sure you all know, but I'd like to switch him over to wet food. I might mention briefly that, like most cats, he will only drink water from a running faucet; i haven't yet tried a recirculating drinking bowl for him, so i'm worried his water intake may be low (part of the reason I'd like to switch to wet food)? I've always tended to avoid wet foods, especially with my dog, for dental health reasons, but understand it is not as much of a concern with cats. Despite my cat's young age (22 months), he has a bit more than average tartar buildup on his teeth (which I try to mitigate with frequent brushing).
Back to his diet: I want to avoid fish so as to limit the amount of ash, and would also like to keep calcium and magnesium levels down as well as acidify his Urine through lowering its pH...is this the right course of action only if he has uroliths, or would it potentially help prevent recurrence of idiopathic cystitis as well?
My vet of course recommended Hill's Science Diet Prescription c/d formula: I refuse to feed my pets Hills products (and would urge you too as well - their chicken and rice formula lists the first 2 ingredients as water and pork-by-product-not okay), so wanted to know if someone had suggestions for a premium or homemade diets that meet the aforementioned criteria or can be recommended for UT/kidney health. Similarly, anyone has had any experience with this or similar ailments, please chime in with suggestions, info, or advice. My cat's only 2; I'm very worried about both his short and long term health. Very worried.
As I said, his diagnosis is still a bit uncertain, but is either: Sterile idiopathic cystitis, bacterial cystitis, crystals - either calcium or struvite - (i.e. uroliths or kidney stones). Thanks for your help.
My cat presented with blood in his urine; i took him to the emergency vet last night and he was diagnosed with idiopathic cystitis. He's in the hospital right now for a more accurate diagnosis; as only a small urine sample was collected I'd like to be certain it's non-bacterial. I've been reading and reading, and was informed of link (although specific mechanisms can't be identified) between dry food and UT disorders. My cat eats dry cat food - Innova Evo - which has no grains, low carbs, high protein, as I'm sure you all know, but I'd like to switch him over to wet food. I might mention briefly that, like most cats, he will only drink water from a running faucet; i haven't yet tried a recirculating drinking bowl for him, so i'm worried his water intake may be low (part of the reason I'd like to switch to wet food)? I've always tended to avoid wet foods, especially with my dog, for dental health reasons, but understand it is not as much of a concern with cats. Despite my cat's young age (22 months), he has a bit more than average tartar buildup on his teeth (which I try to mitigate with frequent brushing).
Back to his diet: I want to avoid fish so as to limit the amount of ash, and would also like to keep calcium and magnesium levels down as well as acidify his Urine through lowering its pH...is this the right course of action only if he has uroliths, or would it potentially help prevent recurrence of idiopathic cystitis as well?
My vet of course recommended Hill's Science Diet Prescription c/d formula: I refuse to feed my pets Hills products (and would urge you too as well - their chicken and rice formula lists the first 2 ingredients as water and pork-by-product-not okay), so wanted to know if someone had suggestions for a premium or homemade diets that meet the aforementioned criteria or can be recommended for UT/kidney health. Similarly, anyone has had any experience with this or similar ailments, please chime in with suggestions, info, or advice. My cat's only 2; I'm very worried about both his short and long term health. Very worried.
As I said, his diagnosis is still a bit uncertain, but is either: Sterile idiopathic cystitis, bacterial cystitis, crystals - either calcium or struvite - (i.e. uroliths or kidney stones). Thanks for your help.