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Whats the best diet for calcium oxalate crystals prevention/management?

18 15:11:14

Question
I am a Licensed Veterinary Technician and my 2 year old neutered male cat was recently diagnosed with calcium oxalate crystals. It presented in the form of a UTI and he has not gotten blocked or diagnosed with uroliths yet, luckily. I have been doing my own research (which I know can be deceiving) and asking all of the Dr's I work with, but answers vary. I am giving him only filtered (or distilled) water and closely monitoring his urination. The UTI is now gone thanks to Baytril. He is asymptomatic and doing just fine now. I am currently feeding him canned Hill's c/d with chicken and canned Hill's x/d. He gets 1/2 can of each a day (split into am/pm feedings). I just want your opinion if you think this is at least a good start to the prevention/management of his condition? Also, I am confused about if this condition is "curable" (his body will stop forming the crystals eventually) or just "manageable" (his body will form less and keeping him hydrated and at a moderate pH, lowering the probability of stone formation or blockage) on a proper diet. Basically, will I ever be able to get rid of the crystals like you can with struvites or will he always have them no matter what I do? I understand that you cannot diagnose or prescribe anything to me because you'd have to examine my cat, but if there's any information or facts you could pass along for my information, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you for your time,
Leanne

Answer
Leanne -

The diets you are feeding are great for the management of calcium oxalate crystals. Feeding canned food is best and so is offering fresh water all the time.  PH management is the most important concern for preventing more oxalate crystal formation.  I do not know if we consider this condition curable, but we do consider it manageable.  
Remember that struvite crystals can recur as calcium oxalate crystals do.

Continue the regiment you have and your cat should stay healthy.

Best Regards,

Charlotte Sherrell, DVM