Help!

I have a cat who is 2.5 years old, who I have since the day he was born and his mother was killed, and I love love love him! I used to hate cats until I got this cat, and now I think they are great.

He has always been a very clean boy, until semi recently. Nearly a year ago, he started peeing EVERYWHERE. All over the place. It started when we were watching two rabbits and they peed near his box, and he bloody spray peed. We took him to the vet, he got put on antibiotics and a special food and all seemed well. Then it started again, but gradually it became more like squatting peeing. We've tried: Cleaning the spots with special cleaner, putting multiple boxes, putting his food and water in his pee spots, pheremone spray etc. It was gradual and it's progressed to being constant.

He has been xrayed and had his urine tested a bunch of time. No stones, but despite special food and antibiotics many times, the crystals they have found are not going away.

I had very mild asthma, but since this, I have been hospitilized with pnemonia, bronchitis, and I blacked out and almost died from suffocation once. I have to use a breathing machine and an aray of medicine to be able to survive at this point.

We recently moved to a new apartment (after being in huge trouble because our old one was RUINED) and at first without the smells, he was fine, but now he pees everywhere, even right beside the box.

He won't pee if he's locked in our bedroom with us, but we are at our wits end. The vet doesn't know what else to do, we don't know what other behavioral things to try.

I LOVE this cat more than anything! I would be scarred for the rest of my life if I had to put him down. Is there anything I can do?? He was neutered at a very young age. There is one other cat in the house he grew up with, and I have fostered 2 other cats for about a week each a long time ago.'

Is there hope?

I am so sorry for all you are going through. I had a short experience last year and I know how difficult it is. Mine was not a health problem.

For a urine cleaner I used this www.urineoff.com . Worked well for me. You have to follow instructions on the label.

You mentioned he was on a special diet yet still has crystals in his urine.

Does the vet have him on any medications?

What food does the vet have him on?

If the vet is not offering much, maybe a second opinion?

Many here have gone through similar situations. Someone will offer ideas.

He is on antibiotics right now, the strongest they have. This will be about his 5th time on antibiotics.

He is on Royal Canin Urinary SO food.

This is the third or maybe fourth vet we've tried since this has been happening.

Thank you so much for your post. I am anxious to hear from others. I love him so much, but I fear I can't keep him much longer

What kind of crystals does he have?

Wet or dry Royal Canin Urinary SO?

Have you ever tried a different prescription diet?

What anti-biotic specifically is he on now? What has been used in the past?

If the crystals are still present - I'm inclined to think this is not behavioral - but medical.

I believe he has struvite crystals

He is on dry Royal Canin because he doesn't like the wet

I haven't tried a different kind because that was the only one my vets had, are there other options?

I have to check on the antibiotic kinds, I don't know right now

I agree that part of the problem is medical, as does the vet, but she thinks it's a combination of behavioral and medical. Is there anything else that can be done to get rid of the crystals? The vets I have spoken to say no, but do you have any advice?

Struvite crystals form when the urine is too alkaline, so the prescription food given for this (as you're giving) is lower in magnesium and phosphorus, and it helps to make the urine more acidic. It would appear, however, that it's not working that well if crystals persist. Also, akalkine urine (meaning, has a higher pH) is more likely to have bacteria grow, thus, UTIs.

I know some people who deal with repeated struvite crystals in their cat will try their cat on a urine acidifier (the name of which, escapes me now). It's a pill, I believe? You should ask your vet about it. The only risk here is that you don't want to make the urine too acidic, because then you're verging on the other end of the spectrum, urine too acidic and the formation of calcium oxalate crystals....which are worse in many respects because they can't dissolve with diet......they have to be surgically removed. So it's a balancing act.

I think it would be most helpful if your cat would eat some canned food........for the addition fluids in it. Canned food is up to 65% water and a cat with urinary issues needs lots of fluids.

Here's a link I have bookmarked, back from when I had a CRF kitty. I had to pay attention then, to the phosphorus content in the food I fed (wanted it to be as low as possible). It shows you most foods out there, from cheap to premium to prescription........and the phos content. You might want to print it off as a reference.

http://webpages.charter.net/katkarma/canfood.htm

If your cat won't eat the Royal Canin canned specially formulated for struvite crystals, maybe it would at least be good to have him eat SOME KIND of canned food on a regular basis (and less of the dry) - as low in phos as you can feed.....(ones with fish and seafood are generally higher in phos).....then at least he's getting the additional fluids he needs.

Years ago, MANY years ago, I had a male kitty who had the same problem. Unfortunately I didn't have the internet then and I knew very little about Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) and struvite crystals. The vet at the time (because he'd often block up) put him onto Hill's S/D or C/D.....the canned. He turned his nose up at it so I could only get him to eat the dry. But that just wasn't enough and his problems persisted to the point where he started spraying all over my house. Long story short, the Vet talked me into putting him down (and I regret this to the day), citing he was just going to continue to block up from the crystals. he did mention the surgery that was relatively new at the time, "Perineal Urethrostomy"....but he was very negative about the success of it (frankly, I think it was because he'd never done it). Since then, I've read so much about the success of this surgery in males with crystals/blockages/the issues you have. Anyway, long story short........I wish I would have had the knowledge and information resources back then to have at least switched him to a diet of all canned, and maybe added an acidifier, etc.

Here are 2 links you should look at:

http://www.peteducation.com/article....+1402&aid=2729

http://www.homevet.com/petcare/cystitis.html

So what I would do in your case is come up with a gameplan you can discuss with your vet.

Print off the list of foods I gave you the link for.

Consider trying to introduce a canned food off that list that's as low in Phos as possible (one that kitty will eat, of course...so it might take some trial and error to find out kitty likes/will eat).

Then talk to Vet about doing this, and maybe trying a urine acifidier.

I think the biggest issue with your cat, like with mine, is the total dry diet means not enough fluids.....

Just food for thought :-)

Does your state's land grant university have a Veterenary Medicine College? If so, I'd consider taking the cat there.

Just wanted to share something else............if you find your kitty refuses to eat the canned version of the particular prescription food you feed, there's another alternative. The company (a Canadian one, located in Guelph, ON) is called Medi-Cal: http://www.medi-cal.ca They seem to be affiliated w/ Royal Canin because when I went to their website, on the main page I see the logo for Medi-Cal, and the one for Royal Canin veterinary diet.

You'd need to call them and ask how an American could go about ordering their products, I couldn't seem to find that info on their site.........but I do know over the years, from being on various cat boards, Americans have used their food.

They have an entire line of prescription diets, including one for cats w/ Struvite Crystals - both dry and canned: http://www.medi-cal.ca/diets/diets.php?diet=27

I used to have a cat w/ irritable bowel, and he had great results when on their Medi-Cal Fiber dry formula. Also, i had a CRF kitty who refused the usual Hill's K/D (canned).......and I didn't blame her, that stuff looks like putty in a can......very dense, no moisture, yuck. I then tried Medi-Cal's kidney formula.......and the minute I opened the can, I could see the difference.......a lot more moisture..........and she loved it. It just had a much nicer consistency to it.........not like your typical 'prescription food.'

the supplement is likely methionine( spelling) .. aka dl -methionine or l methionine

NOT 100% sure but I believe Medi cal diets are the US royal canin RX s

Did you completely change the potty box ( ie new litter and a new box) after the antibiotics??

Thank you all so much for your replies.

The_food_lady: I greatly appreciate all your advice. I am going to go out with that list right away and get a few different kinds and see what he likes. I'm going to try the Royal Canin wet food again also, because I was giving him both wet and dry before, but if I just give him the wet for a few days, I think he may start to like it. It's funny, my sister (NOT a cat person) has been researching like crazy what I can do, and she suggested this to me just before I read your message. I am very optimistic about this, and possibly trying the supplement under veterinary supervision.

Fortunately, since going on the prescription food and antibiotics a while ago, he has been having a much easier time peeing, and peeing a lot. He used to struggle to get anything out. Now it's like a waterfall, just not in the box

Zane's pal: I will definitely look into your suggestion!

The_food_lady: I am from Canada actually, and my sister is visiting me very soon, so I'll get her to stop by my old hometown vet and bring some down I had a dog with liver issues years ago who loved medical

Sharky: I can't remember exactly when I got the new box, I think I have used the same brand of litter pretty consistently. I think the new box was shortly after the first round of antibiotics was finished. Does that affect things?

Thanks again everyone!

Yay!

Rudy has not peed since we started him on only wet prescription food! At least, we haven't found any evidence of peeing, and he is much more playful and happy.

I cannot cannot cannot thank you all enough for helping me save my little man. I am just ecstatic.

Any tips for getting that cat urine smell out? We have steam cleaned to no avail

Happy Holidays!

You'll need to use an enzyme cleaner to truly remove the urine. There are several out there; I use Nature's Miracle on my litter boxes (this has to be rinsed out real well afterward).

A blacklight will also help as it'll pinpoint the urine spots.

My shelter recommended just doing a cold water run with a steam cleaner (like the ones you can rent from the grocery store), as well as spot cleaning with enzyme cleaners. Also, I've had good luck with a product called Zero Odor, which can be ordered on the net or purchased at some Bed Bath & Beyond's - expensive, but effective for me.

Also, if he starts up again, you might consider trying Cat Attract litter - specially designed by a vet for cats with box issues. Worked well with my boy. Here's hoping for no more accidents! And, bless you and the family for your love and patience with your guy - I know what heartache these issues can bring.