to post...
Jason,
cd/s is ok to feed longterm as long as it's ok with your Vet...if you use it definitely do not use an additional acidifier...it's the precsiption s/d that is not ok to use longterm (that is much more acidifying and definitely should not be fed to your other cat).
cd/s is similar in effect to most acidifying diets on the market, but that said it is more prescise and controlled than many which is why it's a precription as well as the testing behind it - it is ok by many vets to feed this as a maintenance diet to other cats as long as their pH is not already in a very low range metabolically where they would be prone to calcium crystals.
If he likes it I would keep on feeding it - esp. if it's working.
Bails would not eat it long term, not much short term either and gave him slightly soft poop - and had some ingredients my others could not tolerate - mine all like to eat the same stuff too. I also tried some of the other diets to no avail..but also, none kept his pH in the proper range, it was still too high even on them alone. So, instead I monitor pH with pH paper doing urine testing at home as needed and use DLM (methionine) supplements which are pills...I am not familiar with the product your Vet gave you but I assume it is similiar. If it's ok with your Vet, and you want to switch you need to do so gradually and monitor urinary pH at home, and you may need to supplement as needed.
There is no real equivelant to cd/s on the market but most cat food are at least midly acidic and if you hit it right and it agrees with his system make up wise he may do well on any of them, there is no real way to know w/o trying and all cats are a bit different that way as to what will st them off. There are other precsription products like Purina UR and IVD diets that can be used long term for this also (and may also be suitable for your other kitty). There are all kinds of thoughts as to what causes struvites from ash to magnesium to phosphorus, etc...and while I would aim to keep low in those respects also it could also come down to food make-up etc. too and how he metabloizes it.
There are also regular Science Diet foods you can buy cheaper at pet store (and at Vet) that would be more similiar in makeup if that is what he likes and he/they do well on it - then you could just supplement the acidifier as necessary per his pH and response as well as follow up urinalysis. I would think the adult maintenance variety would be a good place to start if you chose that route to try. YOu may only need to supplement a little bit, or even just a few times a week dependant..but it is imperitive to try and get the pH in a low but not too low range and keep it there to prevent further crystal development.
I hope he is doing well...I read your post about the bottom cleaning , been there
...I just used water and a paper towel but do as you need to dependant based on what Traci said with the other if it's really dirty.
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