Information on "Grit" In Urine?

[HomesteaderWife]

Hi everyone, so our kitty is currently at the vet's for the second night in a row. They are extremely busy right now, and I have had a difficult time finding a moment to actually ask the vet these questions because I believe he is the only one there working right now.

They pulled his catheter earlier - he was there for a backed up bladder caused by inability to pass due to "grit" in his bladder. What I do not understand is, they took urine samples and did ultrasound and say no crystals and no stones, so what is "grit" and what causes it?

Has anyone had experience swapping to a prescription diet and if so, did the issue re-occur? The vet suggested Hill's C/D for urinary health. Thanks for any help!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I don't know what "grit" would be other than the crystal deposit.

My kitty would get idiopathic uti's (no explanation type). I was offered and sold the Hills Science UTI formula (which ain't cheap) but discovered a much better priced Purina brand UTI formula (pretty much same formula as Hills) that has helped her.

I also put her on HomeoPet UTI drops that REALLY helped.

I also started feeding her some wet food everyday (I like the "Lil Soups" as it is mostly sauce) to increase her water intake. Of course keep plentiful, fresh water out. If need be, get one of the kitty fountains if your cat refuses to drink from still water in a bowl. Getting them hydrated really helps with the urine crystals.

I'll put links below of what worked for us.

Good luck with your kitty.

LofMc

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VCQLAU?ref=nb_sb_ss_w_as-reorder-t1_ypp_rep_k0_1_10&amp&crid=32TN10N8ZX3IK&amp&sprefix=purina+uri

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EOOQCJG?ref=nb_sb_ss_w_as-reorder-t1_ypp_rep_k0_1_8&amp&crid=7YM725RPUJF4&amp&sprefix=homeopet

 

[Boppo]

I am so sorry about your cat. We had a male cat with the urinary tract crystals problem. Once it starts, it's a problem for life, it seems. We also had good experience with Purina brand and some wet food, trying to keep the cat drinking more water. Best wishes for you and your cat!

 

[HomesteaderWife]

Just an update - he went for his re-check today and looking good. Still on antibiotics but urine is clear and he is going well. He has been on C/D since he got home, and we have filtered water in the fountain for him to drink out of.

 

[Dinogrrl]

Vet tech here, I work with cats.
By 'grit' they may just mean debris in general, which can be mucus, cells, bacteria, crystals, or any combination of those. In the end, they can all cause the same thing, a blockage.

Yes, I would highly recommend any cat who's had a blockage be strictly on a prescription urinary diet, whichever brand (or rotate brands to keep the cat happy with variety), from now on. Wet food only if possible, since the extra water in the food will help with keeping the bladder flushed out. Blockages are horrific things for cats to go through, so anything you can do to put the odds in their favor is good.

 

[HomesteaderWife]

@Dinogrrl - Thanks for your response! I managed to ask the vet and he said it was caused by white blood cells and some other type of cells that merged...can't recall the name off hand they were super busy. He is on the prescription as is his brother for prevention, and the girls (everyone is fixed) are on non-prescription urinary care to be safe. I know there is a chance it can come again in the future, but we will be fingers crossed for his success.