Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease Questions

Hi. My 1 1/2 year old male feline Fife has lower urinary tract disease. The last month or so it developed, and we have struggled off and on with his symptoms ever since. He has had TWO cultures and sensitivity tests which came back negative for any bacteria or infection each time. The first one had TONS of strurvite crystals, the second test 10 days or so later, after we had changed his diet had only some sturvite crystals and a bit of blood. He will have several good days in a row peeing just fine, and then be in distress again and it breaks my heart. He goes back and forth to the litter a bunch, strains, and has only small amounts of urine come out. Occasionally I also see him have spasms. He has not had a full blockage nor needed to stay over at a hospital yet, thank god. Twice he has been partially blocked and the ER expelled him manually, gave steroids and pain meds, and IV of fluids to flush him out. I also took him to a holistic vet who gave me homeopathic drops and some herbs to put in his food. That stuff seemed to be helping for almost 2 weeks, but he's symptomatic again. Please offer any wisdom you have on this. I have bought him treats with all kinda of supplements for urinary health, I use the pheromone calming spray, his home life is not stressful, and he's on a good diet with no more dry food ever. I have been putting a tiny bit of apple cider vinegar in his food, and I keep fresh cat grass around for him as he seems to love that when he doesn't feel well. A few specific questions I have: 1. Are there any foods or brands besides the traditional prescription diets that can be even better for this condition? Or any human food or supplements I can use as an additive that supports bladder health? 2. Are there any other natural remedies or prescription meds I could ask my vet about to try to keep this under control? 3. What other tests should I ask for, if any? X-RAYS...? 4. At what point does one decide to do the surgery for males to open the urethra? I don't want to go this direction, but don't want him to get a full blockage or suffer either... Wondering if anyone has experience with that decision making process. 5. Do you think that male cats when they get fixed sometimes Its not good for them and complicates these urinary issues for them or exacerbates it? (Fife was fixed at 9 months). 6. My ER vet gave me the antibiotic clavamox even though my boy has no infection. She said better be safe than sorry in case the tests didn't pick up infection, and moreover claims that the formula has anti inflammatory properties that will make him feel better. My holistic vet said don't give that to him, he doesn't need it, you don't want to overuse antibiotics and that she's wrong about the anti inflammatory aspect and that he would be better off with a different med for that symptom. Please don't tell me "ask a vet". I do and I am. But I am receiving conflicting opinions and don't have another appointment until tomorrow because it's Sunday. I will do anything to make my guy feel better so I'm tempted to give the clavamox in hopes it helps symptoms, but also don't want to pump him full of unnecessary drugs. Lastly, 7. How do you get your cat to drink more water??? I know if he could just be continually flushing we could get crystals out and he will feel better. I bought him a fountain. I turn on sinks. I put water in different bowls and cups. I put tuna juice in water. I put ice cubes. I bought "cat sip". The list goes on and on of things I've done to get him to drink. He REFUSES. Of course I mix filtered, fresh water into his meals, but I feel like that is such the bare minimum of hydration for him. If I make it too soupy he won't eat it. He's pretty picky. Thanks in advance. Please help!

Hi, and welcome to TCS

Wow - you really have been though the mill with Fife recently. I'm afraid I just can't answer a lot of your questions. I honestly think the prescription diet is the best choice for him until things have stabilised. Which one are you using? They're all slightly different, and some are more aggressive at breaking down crystals than others (though the more aggressive ones are strictly for short term use).

I know some people here have had great success with using a raw diet to manage FLUTD, but I would say that that's something to look at once he's over this flare up. As you rightly say, stress can exacerbate this condition, and such a big change in diet can be stressful in the early stages (even if its more for you than for him ).

I think extra hydration is the key here. Have you tried poaching skinless chicken or turkey and offering the poaching liquid to Fife as a drink? It's always been a big hit in this house. Another thing worth trying would be to get some freeze dried raw food and crumble just a little into some hot water. The resulting broth is really smelly, and my girl adores it. You could also try the same trick with something like Purebites. I'm clutching at straws slightly here, but its worth trying anything that you think might work.

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