Bubbles' urine test - struvite crystals

[Maddiesmum]

Hope Bubbles is doing ok

[Desley (booktigger)]

Fingers crossed - stress related cystitis can still happen when they are on the special food, especially if it is the dry. My vet doesn't use it, she just recommends wet food only, more water, less stress and Cystaid.

[bunglycat]

I honestly wonder about the food - i fed Smartie on Royal canin for persians and he loves it -but he got cystitis twice in short times and ended up on Hills s/d then c/d - same problem -struvite crystals .
Just recently been feeding it just once a week as a treat and the others have been having a bit extra - bungly has been eating a lot of it and lo and behold - she aso got cystitis and had to go to the vets - seems a bit of a coincidence ?!!!
They also have wet food and i now try and make sure they have a fair bit of wet food now !

[ChrisB]

As I thought it might, Bubbles' urine test showed some struvite crystals so special diet for her for three months and another test then - just so pleased that we can hopefuly help prevent her getting cystitus again.  At the moment all five cats share food and rather than 'meal times' have little and often available all day so will have to make some changes to our routine - perhaps the new food regime will make it easier to get everyone in on time especially on these the warm evenings !

[Desley (booktigger)]

Do either of those foods have anythign like cranberry in them?

[ChrisB]

The first time it happened we (and the vet) thought she may be unsettled because we had new sofas and dining furniture - she is quite a sensitive little girl.  She eats mainly Royal Canin dry plus some of the new Purina One natural balance - hopefully I'll get a call tomorrow with her results.

[Millys Mum]

Has anything upset her? You could try feliway.

If you can get her eating some wet foods (avoiding fish) then it would help. Does she eat a good quality dry food?

[Desley (booktigger)]

Only about 2% of cystitis cases are infection related, so not all vets will use ab's, Tom only had one lot, as his was stress related. Good luck with keeping her water intake up, as that is the most important thing.

[ChrisB]

Thanks Desley.   The first time was over Easter and we had to go to an emergency vet who gave her an anti-inflammatory and Cystaid but no ab's so perhaps that is why it returned.   Unfortunately Bubbles really doesn't like wet food and I know that is a problem and I will have to be more persistent with her - she is a real water baby though and has always drunk lots from the pond, comes running when she hears me filling the watering can and follows me around the plant pots (could be how she got her name - she was a rescue so I don't know).    Will let you know what the vet says next week.

[Desley (booktigger)]

What diet is she on? It might be that she needs more wet food, and I would ask the vet about Cystaid, it worked wonders on Tom, and can be bought without a prescription. I have sometimes found that one lot of ab's isn't enough to clear up cystitis, so some have needed two lots.

[ChrisB]

Bubbles has had to have a urine test following a second bout of cystitus within four months.  Both times she has recovered really quickly and not seemed unwell in herself or been upset enough to go outside of the tray.   Just wanted some advice on any questions I should ask depending on the results - we may need a second test too once Bubbles has finished her antibiotics.    The vet we saw was going to be away when the results came back but if there was anything urgent one of the others would phone - they haven't, so hopefully that is a good sign.  Still worry though don't we !