Re: OT: HELP..Need food advice for cat prone to crystals
Honest Kitchen does a dry raw that may help with the YUK response. If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow man. St. Francis - Original Message - From: tamara stickler To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2006 8:22 AM Subject: Re: OT: HELP..Need food advice for cat prone to crystals Thanks Michelle. Luckily Mica isn't a CRF cat...but since I know the folks on that site from all their advice for my Quintapusand I know the folks on this site for their extraodinary help in placing Simms (a felv rescue) in a WONDERFUL home...I just cc-ed everyone. Thanks for the info! I'll start on the EVO site (since I feed my one dog that brand) and will investigate the raw (ick!) (Tried raw once for my catshe just looked at it...at me and over to the kitchen like, "AH...you forgot to COOK this!" Thanks again!!! T[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: EVO and raw food both seem to do very well for cats prone to crystals. Not sure how they are for CRF kitties, though, as they are both high protein. I know there is controversy over whether or not CRF kitties actually need low protein or not, but I do not know more than that. Michelle In a message dated 9/25/2006 12:42:05 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Hello All. Sorry for the OT topic, but, I didn't get satisfactory answer from the vet so I'm turning to the experts! I have a rescue cat (ex-stray)...neutured male, felv & fip neg., approx. 1-2 yrs. old. Very well behaved and very loveable (looking for a home by-the-way, great with dogs, kids and most cats), however, he is having a problem with crystals in his urine. He eats very little (too thin), drinks very little (although I did set up a fountain in the room I've got him isolated in). Oh, I should mention that he uses the litter box (clump litter) all but once when he urinated on his bed...which is when I took him to the vet and found out he was ill. I currently have him on antibiotics, and the vet has tried to put him on a prescription(s) diet. Now...my experience with Quintapus (CRF) has proven to me that these prescriptions diets are trash because they lack the proper nutrients necessary for a healthy catNot to mention the factthat Mica WON'T EAT THEM (Quintie didn't like them either). All he wants is Wysong canned tuna & chicken.I tried forcing him to eat the prescription food...but he went on a hunger strike for 2 or 3 days before I caved. For what I've been able to find, I need to have him on a low magnesum, low ash...and possibly low protein foodBUT.I don't know HOW low...% wise, and can't seem to find the numbers anywhere. (When Quintapus came off the prescription diet for CRF..I was able to compose another diet...just as good number-wise and better nutrition wise with the better cat foods with help from those of you on the crf lists.) With all the experience of everyone on these lists, I'm certain the answer is floating out amongst you -all somewhere. And before someone asks..no, we didn't do xrays to determine if there was a blockage (just the urinalisis and medical exam...which still cost me well over $100)I hope to treat him for the lesser first as I am indept up to my eyeballs and really don't have the $ for xrays (I don't go out looking for strays...but they seem to find me MUCH TOO OFTEN! And I don't have any financial help to pay the costs of vetting, fixing and placing.) I couldn't find a support website for the crystals problem either. Thanks for all the help in advance. (Remember, if anyone is remotely interested in Mica...I can send pictures...) Thanks again, Tamara Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min.
Re: OT: HELP..Need food advice for cat prone to crystals
Thanks Michelle. Luckily Mica isn't a CRF cat...but since I know the folks on that site from all their advice for my Quintapusand I know the folks on this site for their extraodinary help in placing Simms (a felv rescue) in a WONDERFUL home...I just cc-ed everyone. Thanks for the info! I'll start on the EVO site (since I feed my one dog that brand) and will investigate the raw (ick!) (Tried raw once for my catshe just looked at it...at me and over to the kitchen like, "AH...you forgot to COOK this!" Thanks again!!! T[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:EVO and raw food both seem to do very well for cats prone to crystals. Not sure how they are for CRF kitties, though, as they are both high protein. I know there is controversy over whether or not CRF kitties actually need low protein or not, but I do not know more than that. Michelle In a message dated 9/25/2006 12:42:05 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:Hello All. Sorry for the OT topic, but, I didn't get satisfactory answer from the vet so I'm turning to the experts! I have a rescue cat (ex-stray)...neutured male, felv & fip neg., approx. 1-2 yrs. old. Very well behaved and very loveable (looking for a home by-the-way, great with dogs, kids and most cats), however, he is having a problem with crystals in his urine. He eats very little (too thin), drinks very little (although I did set up a fountain in the room I've got him isolated in). Oh, I should mention that he uses the litter box (clump litter) all but once when he urinated on his bed...which is when I took him to the vet and found out he was ill. I currently have him on antibiotics, and the vet has tried to put him on a prescription(s) diet. Now...my experience with Quintapus (CRF) has proven to me that these prescriptions diets are trash because they lack the proper nutrients necessary for a healthy catNot to mention the factthat Mica WON'T EAT THEM (Quintie didn't like them either). All he wants is Wysong canned tuna & chicken.I tried forcing him to eat the prescription food...but he went on a hunger strike for 2 or 3 days before I caved. For what I've been able to find, I need to have him on a low magnesum, low ash...and possibly low protein foodBUT.I don't know HOW low...% wise, and can't seem to find the numbers anywhere. (When Quintapus came off the prescription diet for CRF..I was able to compose another diet...just as good number-wise and better nutrition wise with the better cat foods with help from those of you on the crf lists.) With all the experience of everyone on these lists, I'm certain the answer is floating out amongst you -all somewhere. And before someone asks..no, we didn't do xrays to determine if there was a blockage (just the urinalisis and medical exam...which still cost me well over $100)I hope to treat him for the lesser first as I am indept up to my eyeballs and really don't have the $ for xrays (I don't go out looking for strays...but they seem to find me MUCH TOO OFTEN! And I don't have any financial help to pay the costs of vetting, fixing and placing.) I couldn't find a support website for the crystals problem either. Thanks for all the help in advance. (Remember, if anyone is remotely interested in Mica...I can send pictures...) Thanks again, Tamara Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min.
Re: OT: HELP..Need food advice for cat prone to crystals
EVO and raw food both seem to do very well for cats prone to crystals. Not sure how they are for CRF kitties, though, as they are both high protein. I know there is controversy over whether or not CRF kitties actually need low protein or not, but I do not know more than that. Michelle In a message dated 9/25/2006 12:42:05 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Hello All. Sorry for the OT topic, but, I didn't get satisfactory answer from the vet so I'm turning to the experts! I have a rescue cat (ex-stray)...neutured male, felv & fip neg., approx. 1-2 yrs. old. Very well behaved and very loveable (looking for a home by-the-way, great with dogs, kids and most cats), however, he is having a problem with crystals in his urine. He eats very little (too thin), drinks very little (although I did set up a fountain in the room I've got him isolated in). Oh, I should mention that he uses the litter box (clump litter) all but once when he urinated on his bed...which is when I took him to the vet and found out he was ill. I currently have him on antibiotics, and the vet has tried to put him on a prescription(s) diet. Now...my experience with Quintapus (CRF) has proven to me that these prescriptions diets are trash because they lack the proper nutrients necessary for a healthy catNot to mention the factthat Mica WON'T EAT THEM (Quintie didn't like them either). All he wants is Wysong canned tuna & chicken.I tried forcing him to eat the prescription food...but he went on a hunger strike for 2 or 3 days before I caved. For what I've been able to find, I need to have him on a low magnesum, low ash...and possibly low protein foodBUT.I don't know HOW low...% wise, and can't seem to find the numbers anywhere. (When Quintapus came off the prescription diet for CRF..I was able to compose another diet...just as good number-wise and better nutrition wise with the better cat foods with help from those of you on the crf lists.) With all the experience of everyone on these lists, I'm certain the answer is floating out amongst you -all somewhere. And before someone asks..no, we didn't do xrays to determine if there was a blockage (just the urinalisis and medical exam...which still cost me well over $100)I hope to treat him for the lesser first as I am indept up to my eyeballs and really don't have the $ for xrays (I don't go out looking for strays...but they seem to find me MUCH TOO OFTEN! And I don't have any financial help to pay the costs of vetting, fixing and placing.) I couldn't find a support website for the crystals problem either. Thanks for all the help in advance. (Remember, if anyone is remotely interested in Mica...I can send pictures...) Thanks again, Tamara
Re: OT: HELP..Need food advice for cat prone to crystals
The thing I like about the s/o Royal Canin food is that it is a pH NORMALIZER - the s/d is given short term to dissolve the struvite crystals and it LOWERS the pH. I don't remember which food raises the pH to dissolve the oxalate crystals, but those haven't been a problem for us. Smoky has developed interstitial cystitis over the last couple years and occasionally there will also be struvite crystals. He is very sensitive to change in food (basically, if it's not the s/o, he's in trouble) and can get almost no other treats or food in order to keep his pH stable. The extra great thing about the fact that s/o is a pH normalizer, is that Bandit can eat it too.cindy reasoner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: My cat Winston has had the same problem. The lasttime being last October which was a very bad one. They put him on Hills X/D at first and then changedhim to S/D. He has gained so much weight and I wonderif it is the food. Then I have read on here thatHills isn't that good of a food and I worry if he isgetting all the nutrients he needs. So, I am like youabout is there any other food that he could eat. Heeats this food really good though.Cindy Reasoner--- tamara stickler <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote:> Hello All.> > Sorry for the OT topic, but, I didn't get> satisfactory answer from the vet so I'm turning to> the experts!> > I have a rescue cat (ex-stray)...neutured male,> felv & fip neg., approx. 1-2 yrs. old. Very well> behaved and very loveable (looking for a home> by-the-way, great with dogs, kids and most cats),> however, he is having a problem with crystals in his> urine. He eats very little (too thin), drinks very> little (although I did set up a fountain in the room> I've got him isolated in). > > Oh, I should mention that he uses the litter box> (clump litter) all but once when he urinated on his> bed...which is when I took him to the vet and found> out he was ill.> > I currently have him on antibiotics, and the vet> has tried to put him on a prescription(s) diet. > Now...my experience with Quintapus (CRF) has proven> to me that these prescriptions diets are trash> because they lack the proper nutrients necessary for> a healthy catNot to mention the factthat> Mica WON'T EAT THEM (Quintie didn't like them> either). All he wants is Wysong canned tuna &> chicken.I tried forcing him to eat the> prescription food...but he went on a hunger strike> for 2 or 3 days before I caved.> > For what I've been able to find, I need to have> him on a low magnesum, low ash...and possibly low> protein foodBUT.I don't know HOW low...%> wise, and can't seem to find the numbers anywhere. > (When Quintapus came off the prescription diet for> CRF..I was able to compose another diet...just as> good number-wise and better nutrition wise with the> better cat foods with help from those of you on the> crf lists.)> > With all the experience of everyone on these> lists, I'm certain the answer is floating out> amongst you -all somewhere.> > And before someone asks..no, we didn't do xrays to> determine if there was a blockage (just the> urinalisis and medical exam...which still cost me> well over $100)I hope to treat him for the> lesser first as I am indept up to my eyeballs and> really don't have the $ for xrays (I don't go> out looking for strays...but they seem to find me> MUCH TOO OFTEN! And I don't have any financial help> to pay the costs of vetting, fixing and placing.)> > I couldn't find a support website for the crystals> problem either. > > Thanks for all the help in advance. (Remember, if> anyone is remotely interested in Mica...I can send> pictures...)> > Thanks again,> Tamara> > > > > -> All-new Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email> and get things done faster.__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com Barb+Smoky the House Puma+El Bandito Malito"My cat the clown: paying no mind to whom he should impress. Merely living his life, doing what pleases him, and making me smile."- Anonymous Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help. Yahoo! Small Business.
Re: OT: HELP..Need food advice for cat prone to crystals
My cat Winston has had the same problem. The last time being last October which was a very bad one. They put him on Hills X/D at first and then changed him to S/D. He has gained so much weight and I wonder if it is the food. Then I have read on here that Hills isn't that good of a food and I worry if he is getting all the nutrients he needs. So, I am like you about is there any other food that he could eat. He eats this food really good though. Cindy Reasoner --- tamara stickler <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hello All. > > Sorry for the OT topic, but, I didn't get > satisfactory answer from the vet so I'm turning to > the experts! > > I have a rescue cat (ex-stray)...neutured male, > felv & fip neg., approx. 1-2 yrs. old. Very well > behaved and very loveable (looking for a home > by-the-way, great with dogs, kids and most cats), > however, he is having a problem with crystals in his > urine. He eats very little (too thin), drinks very > little (although I did set up a fountain in the room > I've got him isolated in). > > Oh, I should mention that he uses the litter box > (clump litter) all but once when he urinated on his > bed...which is when I took him to the vet and found > out he was ill. > > I currently have him on antibiotics, and the vet > has tried to put him on a prescription(s) diet. > Now...my experience with Quintapus (CRF) has proven > to me that these prescriptions diets are trash > because they lack the proper nutrients necessary for > a healthy catNot to mention the factthat > Mica WON'T EAT THEM (Quintie didn't like them > either). All he wants is Wysong canned tuna & > chicken.I tried forcing him to eat the > prescription food...but he went on a hunger strike > for 2 or 3 days before I caved. > > For what I've been able to find, I need to have > him on a low magnesum, low ash...and possibly low > protein foodBUT.I don't know HOW low...% > wise, and can't seem to find the numbers anywhere. > (When Quintapus came off the prescription diet for > CRF..I was able to compose another diet...just as > good number-wise and better nutrition wise with the > better cat foods with help from those of you on the > crf lists.) > > With all the experience of everyone on these > lists, I'm certain the answer is floating out > amongst you -all somewhere. > > And before someone asks..no, we didn't do xrays to > determine if there was a blockage (just the > urinalisis and medical exam...which still cost me > well over $100)I hope to treat him for the > lesser first as I am indept up to my eyeballs and > really don't have the $ for xrays (I don't go > out looking for strays...but they seem to find me > MUCH TOO OFTEN! And I don't have any financial help > to pay the costs of vetting, fixing and placing.) > > I couldn't find a support website for the crystals > problem either. > > Thanks for all the help in advance. (Remember, if > anyone is remotely interested in Mica...I can send > pictures...) > > Thanks again, > Tamara > > > > > - > All-new Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email > and get things done faster. __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: OT: HELP..Need food advice for cat prone to crystals
Which Royal Canin recipe(s) was refused? With struvite crystals present, the s/d food (usually just the canned) is given for a few weeks, no longer - and the s/o (both dry and canned) is what I've had to keep Smoky on or he gets crystals again - or the interstitial cystitis - he's very sensitive both pH-wise and stress-wisetamara stickler <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:Thanks Ioana...that was one of the brands he refused to eat. That...the Science Diet and Royal Canin. (the ones the vet gave me are chicken based...he doesn't appear to like chicken- even in the canned food I gave him before finding he had this problem, unless its mixed with a majority of tuna). But I thank you for taking the time to reply to me!!!Ioana-Dina Rican <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:Hi Tamara, I had a similar case with a male cat that needed two antibiotics treatment within one week time spam. The vet put him on dry food "CD" for lifetime and was very good. If I remember well it comes in cans too. Meanwhile he was adopted and I stressed to his new parents not to change his food and keep him on CD. This brand is found only to the vets; it is not in stores. I would recommend CD to everybody and to do it ASAP. It is good for female too; it minimizes the possibility of urinary infections too. Let me know if you cannot find it. Ioanatamara stickler <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Hello All. Sorry for the OT topic, but, I didn't get satisfactory answer from the vet so I'm turning to the experts! I have a rescue cat (ex-stray)...neutured male, felv & fip neg., approx. 1-2 yrs. old. Very well behaved and very loveable (looking for a home by-the-way, great with dogs, kids and most cats), however, he is having a problem with crystals in his urine. He eats very little (too thin), drinks very little (although I did set up a fountain in the room I've got him isolated in). Oh, I should mention that he uses the litter box (clump litter) all but once when he urinated on his bed...which is when I took him to the vet and found out he was ill. I currently have him on antibiotics, and the vet has tried to put him on a prescription(s) diet. Now...my experience with Quintapus (CRF) has proven to me that these prescriptions diets are trash because they lack the proper nutrients necessary for a healthy catNot to mention the factthat Mica WON'T EAT THEM (Quintie didn't like them either). All he wants is Wysong canned tuna & chicken.I tried forcing him to eat the prescription food...but he went on a hunger strike for 2 or 3 days before I caved. For what I've been able to find, I need to have him on a low magnesum, low ash...and possibly low protein foodBUT.I don't know HOW low...% wise, and can't seem to find the numbers anywhere. (When Quintapus came off the prescription diet for CRF..I was able to compose another diet...just as good number-wise and better nutrition wise with the better cat foods with help from those of you on the crf lists.) With all the experience of everyone on these lists, I'm certain the answer is floating out amongst you -all somewhere. And before someone asks..no, we didn't do xrays to determine if there was a blockage (just the urinalisis and medical exam...which still cost me well over $100)I hope to treat him for the lesser first as I am indept up to my eyeballs and really don't have the $ for xrays (I don't go out looking for strays...but they seem to find me MUCH TOO OFTEN! And I don't have any financial help to pay the costs of vetting, fixing and placing.) I couldn't find a support website for the crystals problem either. Thanks for all the help in advance. (Remember, if anyone is remotely interested in Mica...I can send pictures...) Thanks again, Tamara All-new Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster. Do you Yahoo!?Get on board. You're invited to try the new Yahoo! Mail. All-new Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster.Barb+Smoky the House Puma+El Bandito Malito"My cat the clown: paying no mind to whom he should impress. Merely living his life, doing what pleases him, and making me smile."- Anonymous Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help. Yahoo! Small Business.
Re: OT: HELP..Need food advice for cat prone to crystals
Thanks Ioana...that was one of the brands he refused to eat. That...the Science Diet and Royal Canin. (the ones the vet gave me are chicken based...he doesn't appear to like chicken- even in the canned food I gave him before finding he had this problem, unless its mixed with a majority of tuna). But I thank you for taking the time to reply to me!!!Ioana-Dina Rican <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:Hi Tamara, I had a similar case with a male cat that needed two antibiotics treatment within one week time spam. The vet put him on dry food "CD" for lifetime and was very good. If I remember well it comes in cans too. Meanwhile he was adopted and I stressed to his new parents not to change his food and keep him on CD. This brand is found only to the vets; it is not in stores. I would recommend CD to everybody and to do it ASAP. It is good for female too; it minimizes the possibility of urinary infections too. Let me know if you cannot find it. Ioanatamara stickler <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:Hello All. Sorry for the OT topic, but, I didn't get satisfactory answer from the vet so I'm turning to the experts! I have a rescue cat (ex-stray)...neutured male, felv & fip neg., approx. 1-2 yrs. old. Very well behaved and very loveable (looking for a home by-the-way, great with dogs, kids and most cats), however, he is having a problem with crystals in his urine. He eats very little (too thin), drinks very little (although I did set up a fountain in the room I've got him isolated in). Oh, I should mention that he uses the litter box (clump litter) all but once when he urinated on his bed...which is when I took him to the vet and found out he was ill. I currently have him on antibiotics, and the vet has tried to put him on a prescription(s) diet. Now...my experience with Quintapus (CRF) has proven to me that these prescriptions diets are trash because they lack the proper nutrients necessary for a healthy catNot to mention the factthat Mica WON'T EAT THEM (Quintie didn't like them either). All he wants is Wysong canned tuna & chicken.I tried forcing him to eat the prescription food...but he went on a hunger strike for 2 or 3 days before I caved. For what I've been able to find, I need to have him on a low magnesum, low ash...and possibly low protein foodBUT.I don't know HOW low...% wise, and can't seem to find the numbers anywhere. (When Quintapus came off the prescription diet for CRF..I was able to compose another diet...just as good number-wise and better nutrition wise with the better cat foods with help from those of you on the crf lists.) With all the experience of everyone on these lists, I'm certain the answer is floating out amongst you -all somewhere. And before someone asks..no, we didn't do xrays to determine if there was a blockage (just the urinalisis and medical exam...which still cost me well over $100)I hope to treat him for the lesser first as I am indept up to my eyeballs and really don't have the $ for xrays (I don't go out looking for strays...but they seem to find me MUCH TOO OFTEN! And I don't have any financial help to pay the costs of vetting, fixing and placing.) I couldn't find a support website for the crystals problem either. Thanks for all the help in advance. (Remember, if anyone is remotely interested in Mica...I can send pictures...) Thanks again, Tamara All-new Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster. Do you Yahoo!?Get on board. You're invited to try the new Yahoo! Mail. All-new Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster.
Re: OT: HELP..Need food advice for cat prone to crystals
Hi Tamara, I had a similar case with a male cat that needed two antibiotics treatment within one week time spam. The vet put him on dry food "CD" for lifetime and was very good. If I remember well it comes in cans too. Meanwhile he was adopted and I stressed to his new parents not to change his food and keep him on CD. This brand is found only to the vets; it is not in stores. I would recommend CD to everybody and to do it ASAP. It is good for female too; it minimizes the possibility of urinary infections too. Let me know if you cannot find it. Ioanatamara stickler <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:Hello All. Sorry for the OT topic, but, I didn't get satisfactory answer from the vet so I'm turning to the experts! I have a rescue cat (ex-stray)...neutured male, felv & fip neg., approx. 1-2 yrs. old. Very well behaved and very loveable (looking for a home by-the-way, great with dogs, kids and most cats), however, he is having a problem with crystals in his urine. He eats very little (too thin), drinks very little (although I did set up a fountain in the room I've got him isolated in). Oh, I should mention that he uses the litter box (clump litter) all but once when he urinated on his bed...which is when I took him to the vet and found out he was ill. I currently have him on antibiotics, and the vet has tried to put him on a prescription(s) diet. Now...my experience with Quintapus (CRF) has proven to me that these prescriptions diets are trash because they lack the proper nutrients necessary for a healthy catNot to mention the factthat Mica WON'T EAT THEM (Quintie didn't like them either). All he wants is Wysong canned tuna & chicken.I tried forcing him to eat the prescription food...but he went on a hunger strike for 2 or 3 days before I caved. For what I've been able to find, I need to have him on a low magnesum, low ash...and possibly low protein foodBUT.I don't know HOW low...% wise, and can't seem to find the numbers anywhere. (When Quintapus came off the prescription diet for CRF..I was able to compose another diet...just as good number-wise and better nutrition wise with the better cat foods with help from those of you on the crf lists.) With all the experience of everyone on these lists, I'm certain the answer is floating out amongst you -all somewhere. And before someone asks..no, we didn't do xrays to determine if there was a blockage (just the urinalisis and medical exam...which still cost me well over $100)I hope to treat him for the lesser first as I am indept up to my eyeballs and really don't have the $ for xrays (I don't go out looking for strays...but they seem to find me MUCH TOO OFTEN! And I don't have any financial help to pay the costs of vetting, fixing and placing.) I couldn't find a support website for the crystals problem either. Thanks for all the help in advance. (Remember, if anyone is remotely interested in Mica...I can send pictures...) Thanks again, Tamara All-new Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster. Do you Yahoo!? Get on board. You're invited to try the new Yahoo! Mail.
OT: HELP..Need food advice for cat prone to crystals
Hello All. Sorry for the OT topic, but, I didn't get satisfactory answer from the vet so I'm turning to the experts! I have a rescue cat (ex-stray)...neutured male, felv & fip neg., approx. 1-2 yrs. old. Very well behaved and very loveable (looking for a home by-the-way, great with dogs, kids and most cats), however, he is having a problem with crystals in his urine. He eats very little (too thin), drinks very little (although I did set up a fountain in the room I've got him isolated in). Oh, I should mention that he uses the litter box (clump litter) all but once when he urinated on his bed...which is when I took him to the vet and found out he was ill. I currently have him on antibiotics, and the vet has tried to put him on a prescription(s) diet. Now...my experience with Quintapus (CRF) has proven to me that these prescriptions diets are trash because they lack the proper nutrients necessary for a healthy catNot to mention the factthat Mica WON'T EAT THEM (Quintie didn't like them either). All he wants is Wysong canned tuna & chicken.I tried forcing him to eat the prescription food...but he went on a hunger strike for 2 or 3 days before I caved. For what I've been able to find, I need to have him on a low magnesum, low ash...and possibly low protein foodBUT.I don't know HOW low...% wise, and can't seem to find the numbers anywhere. (When Quintapus came off the prescription diet for CRF..I was able to compose another diet...just as good number-wise and better nutrition wise with the better cat foods with help from those of you on the crf lists.) With all the experience of everyone on these lists, I'm certain the answer is floating out amongst you -all somewhere. And before someone asks..no, we didn't do xrays to determine if there was a blockage (just the urinalisis and medical exam...which still cost me well over $100)I hope to treat him for the lesser first as I am indept up to my eyeballs and really don't have the $ for xrays (I don't go out looking for strays...but they seem to find me MUCH TOO OFTEN! And I don't have any financial help to pay the costs of vetting, fixing and placing.) I couldn't find a support website for the crystals problem either. Thanks for all the help in advance. (Remember, if anyone is remotely interested in Mica...I can send pictures...) Thanks again, Tamara All-new Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster.