Cystaid v Cystease. What do we think?

[karenjet]

My Belle's on Cystease and doing brilliantly *touches wood*
We were given Cystease by the vet the day after I had bought Cystaid online, are they interchangeable, can I use the Cystaid I've bought once the Cystease runs out? He was on 2 Cystease capsules a day for 2 weeks and now he's on 1 a day. He's not being given prescription food anymore. He gets Hi-Life, Natures Menu or Applaws with a bit of Applaws dry food as a treat. He's been off antibiotics for a fortnight now and he's doing great with what I'm doing now.

[Leanne]

Jess has been on cystease constantly for over 2 years, when he went for his boosters last month I spoke to the vet about taking him off of it, but she recommended not too given how poorly he was with the cystitis.

Cystease won't damage him long term as its a supplement, if anything we've found it has helped his joints his jumping about more given its Glucosamine. Its the glucosamine in the tablets which help to settle the bladder lining, when Jess first had cystitis as soon as he finished a course of cystease he had another flare up so it was obvious it was working for him.

Our VN at work said that basically there is no difference between the 2 tablets, only the price, we've always used Cystease, I buy them in tubs of 250 from Vetuk.

Jess (and Milo) are also prone to stress, whenever we've had a stress related problem its never shown straight away always a while later which I've always found strange, so I too think it might be stress.

[Desley (booktigger)]

Cystaid isn't a prescription item, but can only be bought in tubs of 250 capsules. I doubt it would harm her to have them every day. Stress in cats is funny though, there are things that we wouldnt even think of that can stress them, I would also be tempted to use things like Feliway or Rescue Remedy. What does she eat? Foods with high magnesium contents like fish can be a contributor. Does she drink a lot of water?

[Pinkbear (Julie)]

Thanks Gillian. I am never sure when companies suggest an alternative so your info helps a lot. 

It isn't bacteria Mark. She's had every test the vet could think of and everything came back clear. As I said, it cost me £500 to investigate. 

The thing is the last time she actually had a bought of Cystitis was BEFORE the first kittens of the year arrived. She hasn't had an attack since April... but as soon as we clear the kittens out madam starts up with her lady problems again.  You'd have thought that if having kittens around upsets her, she would become ill while they're actually here during that 3 month period.  Not that she has ever been allowed to mix with the kittens for everyone's sake... but she has no access to the bathroom when we have kittens and she can hear them through the closed door.  We did at one time think that she didn't like the dark winter nights and that upset her as she was getting it every month over the winter.... but it's the middle of summer now and she's got it again.  I've looked at it from the diet angle as well and it doesn't seem to be that. It's a mystery. 

We've counted up and since last September/October she's had Cystitis 7 times.  Like I said, it clears up within a few days of treatment.... so I'm just going to give her a pill every 1-2days from now on I think. 

[Mark]

Apparently over 99% of cases are stress related (I forget the proper term) and the others are bacterial. Most bacterial cases are caused by e-coli. If it is e-coli, there is a safe alternative to meds called D-mannose which is a stereoisomer of glucose (why is it so expensive?) which lines the wall of the urinary tract so the e-coli is flushed out....apparently 

Edit - I remembered the word - Idiopathic - not necessarily stress "Of unknown causes" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiopathic

[Mark]

Thanks  - I started a thread a few days ago with virtually he same title 

I got cystease from VetUK for about 15 for 100 sprinkle capsules. Willow is supposed to take 1/2 a day (1 capsule per 5kg body weight) butso far, she won'r eat any food with it in  - I wish she would eat treats. I will have to start remembering to mix it in with her furball paste/ fortekor cocktail rubbed into her front leg.

[Gillian Harvey]

Cannot be stress as this new outbreak comes three days AFTER we are finally clear of foster kittens for the first time in three months. 

I wouldnt discount stress, it might have been brewing while you still had the kittens there.

Cystaid and Cysteas are the same now. Cystease used to contain alfalfa, but the new Cystease S doesnt and so is the same as Cystaid - but cheaper! 

[Pinkbear (Julie)]

Thanks, that's kind of you. 

We have a few cystaid left here, enough for a week or so, so just doing some research really. 

[swampmaxmum]

Swampy's been on cystease for ages. I don't know how well it works compared to cystaid but the vet wasn't bothered by the difference.

Max isn't on either as he is on cosequin which also has a type of glucosamine in it so he can't have both, despite his urinary problems.
I suspect they are all very similar? don't know if anyone can shed any chemical light on it?
you don't need a prescription for cystease. I will also try to ask the vet later in the week when I see him if he thinks there is a difference as i know in -house they use cystaid but he's happy for me to use cystease.

[Pinkbear (Julie)]

In the title really... 

I've come to the slow and very expensively painful realisation that my Tilly is always going to be prone to flare ups of Cystitis. £500 in vet fees this year alone! No insurance! The last tests showed no under laying medical reasons. Cannot be stress as this new outbreak comes three days AFTER we are finally clear of foster kittens for the first time in three months. 

She gets better within a couple of days of going on Cystaid so I think she'll need a maintenance dose for the rest of her life. I am  if I'm taking her back for yet another expensive visit only to be given Cystaid again.  So I am going to buy some myself. 

So what do we think to Cystease? Anyone tried it and does it work as well? It seems to be quite a bit cheaper than Cystaid.... and am I right in thinking you don't need a vet prescription?