Question:
Quote: ...then something has got to change.
Make a change now, don't wait.
You can use this article for guidance
http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=017
and unless you find a suitable 250 mg strength cranberry supplement locally, get Carpon. Here is the article you need for information and how to order it:
http://www.belfield.com/article4.html
The product information that comes with the supplement explains why it is important not to feed acidified food constantly, every day at every meal. That's what leads to a pH that becomes far too low, and oxalates.
My first experience with Wellness was a few years ago when a frantic woman from Canada started looking for help because her cat developed struvites from Wellness canned. (Not even the dry formula.)
It was a mind-boggling problem, so I talked to my vet about it and she explained to me that the food a cat is eating must produce an acid pH in order to protect from UTIs, crystals and stones that require an alkaline environment.
The pH the food produces depends on the ingredients AND the cat's metabolism. So, while the same food can be all right for one cat, it can cause problems for another.
The solution: change the food, or use a natural acidifier that will not acidify the pH to the point where oxalates start to form.
For some cats an all-meat no grain, no vegetable/no fruit diet works best and usually such a diet doesn't cause digestive problems either.
It's an option you might need to consider.
Acidified diets can backfire, I really believe they are not a safe option, especially for long-term use.
Also, try to go with foods that are low in fiber.
In an article Dr. Jean explained:
"Dry food produces more concentrated urine, thus setting up conditions where problems may more easily develop. High-fiber dry foods may be even worse, because they cause water to be excreted in the feces instead of the urine. It is very important to get affected cats to consume more water, and the easiest way to do this is by feeding wet food.
Holistic veterinarians believe that LUTD is virtually always a sign of chronic underlying disease. Cats seem to have a species "weak point" in the urinary system, and this is where many cats manifest symptoms that may have their origin in genetics, vaccination, suppression of prior diseases or other energetic imbalances. Therefore, homeopathy, acupuncture, Chinese herbs, western herbs and other holistic therapies may be valuable in rectifying the hidden causes of LUTD and bringing your cat's health into balance and well-being.
Lots of diets and treatments are out there. An individually tailored treatment program will best serve each patient. But, if I had only one rule I could make for all of them, it would be: No dry food."
Answer:
Thanks, Meowmie. I will look into that cranberry supplement.
We have an appointment today at 3:20, and I would like to come armed with a little information. The thing that concerns me about a complete diet change is, would it cause it's own problems in our healthy cats?
(thanks, ForJazz)
Keeper of The Domestic Zoo
Answer:
Not if it's done slowly and carefully. But hopefully a partial change, just a little adjustment maybe, and a cranberry supplement, will be enough to put an end to the UTIs.
Aso, if you can find all-meat items, you can rotate those with the foods you are feeding. That would also help with a pH and fiber related problem.
Answer:
Miko is straining now, too. What is wrong with my cats??
I was able to get her in along with Scully. Fortunately for us, the person after us rescheduled their appointment. Coincidence? I don't know.
Pray for us, please.
(thanks, ForJazz)
Keeper of The Domestic Zoo
Answer:
well, we're home...minus the two cats
The girls didn't have any pee in their bladders, and after leaving them there for the afternoon, the office called and said they'd need to stay overnight.
Obviously, with three of the cats being sick, it's either diet or an environmental factor. Beeper, who does not eat the same diet nor lives in the same area of the house, is perfectly fine. Their diet is good, but that doesn't mean it's good for them, so the vet will be comparing the girls' urinary pH, etc. to see if there's a problem related to the food.
If the urine samples come back clean, it's a possibility that the inflammation was caused by stress. I can't believe I hadn't thought of that possibility before, but we are building an external addition to the house. Loud noises, machinery, people in and out. To be fair, the cats have not acted stressed at all, but that doesn't mean they haven't been affected.
Now I wait for the vet to call tomorrow morning. Poor Stephanie is looking for her mom and sister. It's going to be a long night...
(thanks, ForJazz)
Keeper of The Domestic Zoo
Answer:
The happy though is they'll appreciate home and each other more, (I'd like to think).
I've got one that is really going to miss her mama one day, as I will too.
I 've got 3 girls too, but will downsize to 2 when that day comes, but if I could afford it I think 4 would be fun.
Answer:
x-posted from pets' blog:
Not surprisingly, I had a hard time sleeping last night, and woke up long before my alarm went off. Funny how having two less cats can make the house seem almost too quiet.
I called the vet's office before I left this morning, just to leave a message that I'd be at work, and to try reaching me there. I was a little surprised when someone answered, and asked me to hold. Then the vet came on the line, "Good morning, Emily!".
(somehow I have managed to find a great practice, and the nicest vet imaginable)
They were able to get urine samples from both the girls, so here's the deal:
Their pH levels are perfectly fine, and there is absolutely no evidence of crystals/stones, which means it's not likely a dietary issue. We can still change foods, but there's really no reason to, and it would likely just cause digestive upsets.
What they did have was severe inflammation, and very mild infections. Which means that the most likely cause is...stress, caused by the recent construction of our addition.
Stress causes inflammation, and lowers their immune defense, making them susceptible to infections.
ay-yi-yi
They'll both be put on Clavamox, and we're going to try the Feliway Plug-In to see if that helps to reduce their anxiety levels. ( Spirit Essences also look somewhat promising).
So that's it. I'm at work right now, then dogsitting, and then I get to pick them up. I can't wait to see my girls, even if they are going to hate me for a few days.
(thanks, ForJazz)
Keeper of The Domestic Zoo
Answer:
Awww, the poor girls!!! I'm sorry that you've been going through this but soo happy that it isn't something where you have to make huge changes.
I believe when Scotty got HIS UTI, it was definitely stress related. He has not had a relapse (although he's completely off Wellness) and cleared up not long after I got Oscar.
Good luck!!!
Jade, Scotty, and Oscar