We have oxalate crystals...

[Tina B and crew]

That is the reason Chunk has been doing some inappropriate urinating (stress may have factored in as well). I'm so glad I got him in ASAP and had him checked. He is also hypercalcemic. All the rest of his blood work was perfect (she did a Chem 15 clip w/lyte 4 - if that means anything). I have checked the food and the target urinary PH is 6.5-6.8 so I am thinking, from my discussion with the vet, that it should be OK, but I do have a phone call into her to double check this and see if she wants to try him on something else. We discussed the possibility of toxins he could have gained access to and determined that was not possible. Her next step, if she doesn't think the food is the culprit, is to do some more in depth blood work, sooner than later. She mentioned hyperparathyroidism and in some cases cancer. I hope not, but she's determined to get to the bottom of it.

At any rate, Chunk is home and has filled his belly up. He was hungry! I completely changed out litter boxes and added another one, just in case.

[Tina B and crew]

BTW...I understand that sufficient fluid intake is important in helping prevent oxalate crystals and Chunk has always been a big water drinker with a fairly large urine output. Lately he has also been eating more wet cat food than dry.

[Tina B and crew]

Ok...upon further research the Iams wet food he has been eating has a lower target PH of 6.0 -6.4.

[Cleo]

awww poor guy, hope he heals quick.

[slvrwhispr]

What a good vet you have!

[Tina B and crew]

Thanks Cleo. He seems to be fine. He's eating well and urinating in the litter box, almost normal amounts it seems. I haven't heard him crying or anything when when he goes but he does seem to be a bit "whiney" overall right now. We are going to put him on Science Diet Mature Adult food (since it has a higher target PH than many OTC foods) for a bit and recheck him to see if things improve. Hopefully he will eat it!

Slvr...I love my vets! There are three of them in the practice and it is quite apparent that all of them just adore cats. It is a feline only practice too! They also do not hesitate to spend the time needed with me when there are a lot of things to discuss...plus they have been very helpful and compassionate in those times when we had to say goodbye to our furbabies. On top of that they have this fabulous adoption room with a large sliding glass door that allows the adoptees to be seen well..with lots of cat trees and toys. They work in conjunction with a local rescue agency to adopt out unwanted cats. And here's the kicker...one of them grows her own organic catnip, dries it and keeps the office stocked so kitties always get some when their visit is finished. It's obvious they get a lot of praise from me isn't it?

[Traci]

Tina, did the vet feel the oxalates were small enough to pass on their own? Was an xray discussed, to make sure none are too big to pass? An xray might be helpful to detect any large ones, or to maybe see if they are bunched together somewhere. There's a chance they will resolve, since you state he is peeing ok and in large amounts. But, ask the vet if she wants to do an xray anyway.

What is his weight now? There are a number of cats, whom, if overweight, may be especially prone to crystals, either struvite or oxalate, and believe it or not, oxalates are becoming more common than struvites (at least with reporting). And unfortunately, we still don't know why (food is not always the culprit, sometimes it is with age, sometimes inactivity and weight gain, sometimes hereditary, etc).

[Tina B and crew]

Traci, yes, she thinks he is likely to pass them. May have some discomfort but otherwise he should be OK as far as that is concerned. Of course we are monitoring him for any signs of trouble. I've observed him in the litter box several times and he does not appear to strain or cry out like he is in a lot of pain. He does step into it and kind of whine a little while digging but his urine seems to be flowing almost as much as normal. He's eating well and acting his old normal self again. I will take him back in for a recheck the week after next.


He has actually lost some weight since his last vet visit (which was late April) - right at a pound. He's down to 19.7. My vet still wants him to lose a few more pounds. She said give his bone structure he should be OK even at 15-16 lbs.

I was reading about the increase in oxalate crystals myself. My vet pretty much said the same thing, food may not be the culprit but still wants to try to increase the target urinary PH since his was on the low side (I want to say it was right at 6.0 but don't have the results with me). And, so far we have not had any peeing outside the litter box since he has come home! Yay for that one!

[Traci]

Ok, good to hear. You're doing great, just keep a close eye on him and that recheck. You might want to get another urinalysis in a few more weeks to see if the number of oxalates has reduced. They are generally harder to address than struvites, but you got him in quickly and can monitor from here.

[Tina B and crew]

Thanks Traci. She will be doing a repeat urinalysis when I take him back as well as blood work. He continues to pee and he is eating the SD Mature Adult food very well. So hopefully we are bringing his urine PH up a bit.

I'll continue to monitor him of course.