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Hi everybody .. I guess its my turn to be in need of some feedback.
Recently I obtained a urine sample for Thomas as I have been wanting to get both routine urinalysis and blood work done for him just to have an overall picture of his health, since taking him in as a stray almost two years ago. Recently as I have watched him pee sometimes, his output has looked a bit frothy and maybe a bit too light colored? He pees once a day, sometimes twice, like Max, no hesitation, no straining, flow is good. Everything seems fine.
I got the sample readily from Thomas on Saturday morning, and could see right away that it was a nice golden yellow color, and so looked plenty concentrated. Anyway, I took the sample in as planned, to check it for other things. Specific gravity, protein, leukocyte were within the range, no sugar or negligible protein, BUT, there were some WBC and struvite crystals. Dammit. I looked under the microscope at the clinic and saw first-hand, the struvite crystals. Thomas' PH was 7.0.
Needless to say I am glad I did this, when I did. Thomas is not blocked, does not appear to be in any discomfort and does not appear to be having ANY problems peeing. He seems normal and healthy in every respect.
So, to the point of this thread ... The vet that oversaw the testing, was not my regular holistic vet, but another lady vet who is new, quite nice and seems knowledgeable. I expected on account of the WBC to be given some antibiotics to take home, but instead she suggested anti-inflammatories (ONSIOR) on the chance that there is inflammation due to the presence of crystals. She also recommended to feed Thomas RC Urinary SO for two weeks to see if this can dissolve the crystals. Onsior apparently is a new NSAID and similar to Metacam in terms of effect, but perhaps more effective in zeroing in on the inflammation, than Metacam. I don't use Metacam at all, which is why I asked for and was given something else.
While I am willing to give the S/O a try, I have my doubts as RC foods in general contain grains like corn. The ingredients here in the wet are somewhat better but still contain corn flour. I asked just what in the SO is responsible for dissolving crystals, and no one could give me a definitive answer besides, it just works? I have read that the S/O formula was actually changed awhile back and some ingredients such as DL-methionine, were removed? I have read up on DL-Methionine and know it to be an acidifier that is used sometimes in this situation, with very careful doses I might add. So how is S/O more effective than just feeding a diet of high protein wet, in other words meat, which should be plenty acidifying?
The current diet that all of my cats have been getting is a good quality, low phosphorus, wet canned food, with a bit of kibble in the afternoon. The majority of the diet is wet, canned. Plenty of water available. I have had Max's urine tested in the past and his urine has always tested clear?
All responses are welcome, but in particular it would be good to hear from others who have used S/O recently, with good results to deal with struvite crystals, what the causes of crystals were in their cats, other treatments used. Were anti-inflammatories prescribed? I am thinking at this point, that the reason Thomas has developed crystals is that he could be predisposed to them, where Max and Maggie are not, or that as the result of the introduction of more wet, that Thomas may be drinking a lot less water, and may not be getting enough from the wet. I have also read that retention of urine can be a factor.
Recently I obtained a urine sample for Thomas as I have been wanting to get both routine urinalysis and blood work done for him just to have an overall picture of his health, since taking him in as a stray almost two years ago. Recently as I have watched him pee sometimes, his output has looked a bit frothy and maybe a bit too light colored? He pees once a day, sometimes twice, like Max, no hesitation, no straining, flow is good. Everything seems fine.
I got the sample readily from Thomas on Saturday morning, and could see right away that it was a nice golden yellow color, and so looked plenty concentrated. Anyway, I took the sample in as planned, to check it for other things. Specific gravity, protein, leukocyte were within the range, no sugar or negligible protein, BUT, there were some WBC and struvite crystals. Dammit. I looked under the microscope at the clinic and saw first-hand, the struvite crystals. Thomas' PH was 7.0.
Needless to say I am glad I did this, when I did. Thomas is not blocked, does not appear to be in any discomfort and does not appear to be having ANY problems peeing. He seems normal and healthy in every respect.
So, to the point of this thread ... The vet that oversaw the testing, was not my regular holistic vet, but another lady vet who is new, quite nice and seems knowledgeable. I expected on account of the WBC to be given some antibiotics to take home, but instead she suggested anti-inflammatories (ONSIOR) on the chance that there is inflammation due to the presence of crystals. She also recommended to feed Thomas RC Urinary SO for two weeks to see if this can dissolve the crystals. Onsior apparently is a new NSAID and similar to Metacam in terms of effect, but perhaps more effective in zeroing in on the inflammation, than Metacam. I don't use Metacam at all, which is why I asked for and was given something else.
While I am willing to give the S/O a try, I have my doubts as RC foods in general contain grains like corn. The ingredients here in the wet are somewhat better but still contain corn flour. I asked just what in the SO is responsible for dissolving crystals, and no one could give me a definitive answer besides, it just works? I have read that the S/O formula was actually changed awhile back and some ingredients such as DL-methionine, were removed? I have read up on DL-Methionine and know it to be an acidifier that is used sometimes in this situation, with very careful doses I might add. So how is S/O more effective than just feeding a diet of high protein wet, in other words meat, which should be plenty acidifying?
The current diet that all of my cats have been getting is a good quality, low phosphorus, wet canned food, with a bit of kibble in the afternoon. The majority of the diet is wet, canned. Plenty of water available. I have had Max's urine tested in the past and his urine has always tested clear?
All responses are welcome, but in particular it would be good to hear from others who have used S/O recently, with good results to deal with struvite crystals, what the causes of crystals were in their cats, other treatments used. Were anti-inflammatories prescribed? I am thinking at this point, that the reason Thomas has developed crystals is that he could be predisposed to them, where Max and Maggie are not, or that as the result of the introduction of more wet, that Thomas may be drinking a lot less water, and may not be getting enough from the wet. I have also read that retention of urine can be a factor.
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