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- Mar 6, 2013
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There is hope!
My cat was diagnosed with struvite crystals about a year ago. Even when that issue was resolved, he kept peeing all over the house. He was painful often, had straining and was generally miserable. He also had allergy issues and any of the allergy meds made his urinary issues worse.
What worked for him:
1) Monitoring his urine ph at home with ph strips. (You can always do a urinalysis at the vet instead if this is too much work).
2) Ensuring the crystals dissolved and did not return
3) removing him from any meds which made the urinary issues worse (anti-histamines, prednisolone)
4) what ultimately has made the most difference is amitryptline. I was reluctant to try it, as when I was on it, I had bad side effects.
I put him on the lowest possible dose 2.5mg once a day- that is all it took and his urinary issues have disappeared. He no longer strains, he is comfortable, and there have been no more accidents in the house. Starting on day one he was a new cat.
5) Remember to check urine ph regularly
6) If you decide to take kitty off of prescription food- be sure to check urine ph on the new food. If the ph is wrong, find a different food!
Suggestions for those of you with FLUTD cats:
Get a large cage to keep your cat in- the largest you can buy that will hold a litter box. Get puppy pads and line the bottom and sides about 15 inches up. This will save you so much house cleaning. Give your kitty supervised outings.
As for litter boxes, you want one with sides 15 inches or higher. I like 17 inch plastic storage boxes from walmart.
If that is not possible- confine kitty to the bathroom and cut open plastic bags and put newspaper on top. You may need to tape the plastic garbage bags about 15 inches or more up the wall.
Remember it may take months for your cat to feel better. That is why I suggest investing in a cage. I would rather see a cat in a cage while recouping than a cat put down for ruining the furniture and the house.
Don't give up! It will take time for you cat to feel better, for the inflammation to go down.
It may take trial and error with different meds to see which work best for your cat, you cat may need antibiotics, a urine culture etc.
My cat was diagnosed with struvite crystals about a year ago. Even when that issue was resolved, he kept peeing all over the house. He was painful often, had straining and was generally miserable. He also had allergy issues and any of the allergy meds made his urinary issues worse.
What worked for him:
1) Monitoring his urine ph at home with ph strips. (You can always do a urinalysis at the vet instead if this is too much work).
2) Ensuring the crystals dissolved and did not return
3) removing him from any meds which made the urinary issues worse (anti-histamines, prednisolone)
4) what ultimately has made the most difference is amitryptline. I was reluctant to try it, as when I was on it, I had bad side effects.
I put him on the lowest possible dose 2.5mg once a day- that is all it took and his urinary issues have disappeared. He no longer strains, he is comfortable, and there have been no more accidents in the house. Starting on day one he was a new cat.
5) Remember to check urine ph regularly
6) If you decide to take kitty off of prescription food- be sure to check urine ph on the new food. If the ph is wrong, find a different food!
Suggestions for those of you with FLUTD cats:
Get a large cage to keep your cat in- the largest you can buy that will hold a litter box. Get puppy pads and line the bottom and sides about 15 inches up. This will save you so much house cleaning. Give your kitty supervised outings.
As for litter boxes, you want one with sides 15 inches or higher. I like 17 inch plastic storage boxes from walmart.
If that is not possible- confine kitty to the bathroom and cut open plastic bags and put newspaper on top. You may need to tape the plastic garbage bags about 15 inches or more up the wall.
Remember it may take months for your cat to feel better. That is why I suggest investing in a cage. I would rather see a cat in a cage while recouping than a cat put down for ruining the furniture and the house.
Don't give up! It will take time for you cat to feel better, for the inflammation to go down.
It may take trial and error with different meds to see which work best for your cat, you cat may need antibiotics, a urine culture etc.