Male cat just diagnosed with urinary crystals. He is only 2 yrs old.

[japple]

Cubby Bear has been visiting the litterbox very often and seemed to be straining at urination, but not putting out much and he seems to be licking his privates more often than usual. I took him to a new vet today because I couldn't get an appt. at his regular vet. They did imaging, labwork, full exam, and said he had crystals. I didn't pay for the bloodwork they recommended because he has an appt with his regular vet in 2 weeks. Sent me home with a 6 lb bag of Purina RX food ($44) and 4 cans (5oz) cans of UR Savory Select @ $4.19 per can. They said he will probably have these problems all his life.

Does anyone else have a cat that has bladder stones or struvite crystals? Is there a natural way to treat this? I have 5 other cats and can't imagine keeping his diet separate from what everyone else is eating?

[hlthe2b]

1. Male cats that become obstructed with stones are facing a life-threatening proposition

Their urethras are so narrow it doesn't take much to cause a total blockage and repeat obstruction can cause so much urethral scar tissue that surgery may be necessary. Dietary modification is likely to be absolutely necessary as the prescription diets are designed specifically to prevent the most common types of stones to develop.

A lot of people have had to become creative in managing multiple cats, but it can be done. I am sure that may not be what you hoped to hear, but in this case prevention is everything.

[Wingus Dingus]

2. I've had boy cats with various urinary issues, one had to be

catheterized emergently because he couldn't pee at all. I would get a good kitty water fountain if you don't already have one, and keep the water fresh and cold. Actually a couple fountains in different places would be best. As far as diet, I used to have to feed one of my cats an expensive diabetic food, and that was tough to do with two other cats. Maybe you can find a low-crystal producing cheaper food to feed all of them. That's what I did with my diabetic cat--found one that didn't make her blood sugar too bad, while the other cats didn't have a problem eating it too.

[montanaliberaldem]

3. Fairly common in male cats

We almost lost a very young cat due to this. He spent a week at the vet and was on prescription cat food the rest of his very long life. It doesn’t sound as serious as it is but it can be life threatening. It is so good you took him to the vet. We had 2 cats and did feed them separately. It’s a pain and expensive but cats die of this.

[wnylib]

4. I had a male cat with a UTI and stones.

Had to be catheterized and surgery for stones. Antibiotic shot for the UTI.

After that, the vet said to keep him off of dry food completely and give him only a prescription canned food designed to prevent stone development. He was fine for many years afterward.

[radical noodle]

5. Yes, and crystals can cause major issues

especially in male cats. I had a vet who specialized in cats and in addition to medication, she told me to give only distilled water. We never had problems after that, and I've used distilled water for my cats and dogs ever since.

We also had a rescue dog who came to us with bladder stones. After a couple of rounds of antibiotics and a special diet, her stones disappeared, much to everyone's amazement. She also got only distilled water from the time we got her.

I've never been 100% sure that the distilled water was a miracle cure or anything, but I continued using it rather than rocking the boat. Still do.

[Jirel]

6. Yes indeed, I have.

I’ve had 4, actually. Two were siblings.

FORGET TRYING TO TAKE CARE OF THIS “NATURALLY” UNLESS YOU WANT TO MURDER YOUR CAT. Full stop.

It’s not a joke, and it quickly kills male cats. They can be fine one day, practically passed out and dying the next. You have to keep them hydrated and eating the right stuff, avoid dehydration from heat or other causes, treat UTIs fast, and monitor them for signs of trouble.

Yes, you will need to not free-feed, and segregate who eats what. The good news is that once it’s under control with proper vet care, which can happen in just a few weeks if you follow recommendations, it may stay away for years at a time. With one kitty, it was a medical emergency once, and it required a major intervention, and he remained good the next 17 years or so. With a couple others - the siblings we have now - it flares up occasionally, but not badly. It’s super hot now, and that seemed to be the precipitating factor. But otherwise, they’re good, they eat the prescription diet and like it, and being watchful tells us as soon as they are straining g or pee inappropriately as warning signs.

Not joking - talk to a vet about any rescue groups that will foster him and rehome him as a precious special needs kitty with experienced folks, if you want to play around with trying “something natural.”

[ShazzieB]

7. I had a male cat with this problem who was diagnosed when he was still a kitten.

Nothing (diet, etc) seemed to help. (I think he probably had an extra severe case, considering how young he was when he started to have problems.) After several emergency trips to the vet for catheterization, we changed vets due to a move, and the new guy suggested surgery. We went for it, and it worked like a charm!

I know surgery of any kind is something most of us would rather avoid, but it was worth it for him. He didn't seem to be fazed by it, any more than when he was neutered. Even the cost was worth it, because those emergency catheterizations weren't cheap!

I hope your kitty does okay without surgery, but if he doesn't, I can attest that surgery is not the end of the world and can work really well. Hope this is helpful.

[marble falls]

8. Male cats tend not to drink enough water. And fish oil in catfood makes it worse.

[pansypoo53219]

9. my mnom used a coupon for iams + my male got a uti. after the pet poison, i stick w/ purina.

anti biotics gave him diarrhea. but he ate the plain yogurt to fix that.

[LisaL]

10. My cat had urinary problems.

I had to feed him prescription food (Royal Canin Urinary SO) all his life (in dry form). His problems went away after eating this food, but there are no natural treatments for it. My other cat just ate the same prescription food.

[Ziggysmom]

11. We lost our dear Ollie to bladder crystals and infections that spread to the kidneys. Wet food

is always best for cats, more like the diet of their wild ancestors. Find a specialist dealing with cat urinary issues. Last resort surgery does help, but not an option if too much infection or damage is already done. Stress in addition to diet can cause the urinary crystals and cystitis to occur; our cat was very nervous and high strung, which our vets said contributed to his illness.

I feed a good balanced urinary formula dry cat food in addition to a good amount of canned food daily. Hopefully it will be preventative for our current fur babies.

Wishing you and you sweetie the best and sending healing vibes

[58Sunliner]

12. I had a male cat who had this and was on a prescription pill to dissolve the crystals.

I unfortunately don't remember the name. You might consider soaking the dry food and see if he will eat it. I do that for my cat who can only eat this one dry food due to allergies. I use boiling water and wait about 25 mins.