Recently, Newton had to take a trip to the vet. He hopped right into his beloved Sleepypod carrier, but that’s where his enthusiasm ended for the adventure. He had expected he would get to snooze the morning away in it at home, not take a car ride.
Newton: This is not my happy face.
It was really important for him to go, though, because he was having some litterbox issues, and we needed to know if they indicated a medical problem.
Lots of people think that when a cat goes outside the box, it is because they are “bad cats,” but it is often because something is wrong with their health. Since litterbox issues are the number one reason that cats get relinquished to shelters, it’s extra-important to check for medical reasons behind not using the litterbox.
Of course, Newton isn’t in any danger of being relinquished to a shelter, but that didn’t excuse him from getting checked out by the vet.
He was cheerfully greeted by name by our vet’s welcome sign in the lobby.
But for some reason, that still didn’t impress him. The best part of visiting an all-cat vet is that everyone who comes in loves cats. Newton got lots of admiration while we waited for our exam room.
Newton: I would rather greet my admirers in the comfort of home, if you don’t mind.
After an exam and discussion with the vet, it was time for X-rays and some tests to see what was going on. While we waited for Newton’s turn at the X-ray machine, he stretched his legs. He was especially interested in the door to the back. Any time someone went through it, he wanted to follow them.
Newton: Let’s make a break for it out that door!
He got his wish when he went to get his X-rays and have his urine drawn.
The X-ray didn’t show any stones, so we had to look at urinalysis to see what was going on.
It turns out Newton has struvite crystals in his urine, and the pH of his urine is 8.5
pH is a measurement of the molar of hydrogen ions in a solution, and it indicates how acidic or alkaline the solution is. Lower pH values indicate more acidic materials. Battery acid has a pH of 1. Higher pH values indicate more alkaline materials. Lye has a pH of 13.
A cat’s urinary pH should be 6.0 to 6.5, or slightly acidic. This make sense when you think about which foods are acidic and which are alkaline. A cat’s diet is made of meats, which are acidic foods.
Yet for some reason, Newton’s urine was more alkaline, even though he eats a raw diet.
But Newton also eats treats, and those were primarily the crunchy style that is made mostly of grains. He also steals the kibbles that Pierre gets as bedtime treats. So there was no way to say that Newton’s diet was really free of plant material that could be causing his urinary pH to climb.
Step one for Newton is going cold-turkey off of anything with plant material in it. He’ll have to wave goodbye to his crunchy treats as they go in the bin to be donated to a local rescue. We’re hoping that will get his urinary pH back where it needs to be so that he can can start dissolving the struvite crystals in his urine that were making him go outside the box.
Newton: Can we go home now?
Hopefully he’ll be feeling better in no time. We’ll let you know what happens…
Image credits:
wikimedia commons/Hans Kirkendoll
depositphotos/eleabs
Summer says
Paws crossed that Newton’s pH corrects with the removal of the bad treats. I’m sending purrs his way.
mommakatandherbearcat says
Hopefully eliminating the treats will do the trick. That is one evil look you’re getting from the unzipped portion of the SleepyPod 🙂
ps if you missed our reply to your last comment on our blog ..
“Thank you. My Momma understands exactly what you mean … her recent crisis was quite humbling. For one of the few times in her life, she had to let go of Ms. Perfectionist, Suck-it-up, I can do everything and accept that she’s human like everyone else. Like you said – saying that is so much easier than doing it. We’ll stop by to check out Pierre, Newton and Ashton whether you come by here or not (my Momma’s a bit obsessed … especially with Pierre). Take care of yourself and know that my Momma and I care 🙂 ~Bear Cat “
Hannah and Lucy says
Poor Newton – we hope he will gradually start to feel better.
Layla Morgan Wilde says
Love that your vet welcomes patients by their name but poo on struvites. Merlin fought that nasty battle against them for a long time. I will say homepathics and flower essences really added good support. I’m purring Newton with be PH balanced soon.
Beth says
Poor guy! My kitty has FLUTD and has to be on a special diet to keep crystals from forming, too. Glad you got some answers to why he wasn’t using his box–hope he’s back to feeling 100% soon.
The Island Cats says
We’re sorry to hear Newton has crystals in his urine. And that he has to cut out the treats. But if it helps his pee issues, it will be worth it. We hope he’s better soon.
The Florida Furkids says
We hope Newton feels better soon….bummer that he has to cut out the treats though.
The Florida Furkids
Connie says
8.5! wow.. and I thought Jack’s 8.0 was bad. Poor Newton! I hope he is feeling better quickly. have you looked into l-methionine?
Oz the Terrier says
Oh Newton, we know you don’t like going to the vet but we are sure glad your mom took you! We hope you will be feeling better soon and…we love how you just go right into your Sleepypod. We heard that some cats don’t like to go in there.
Savannah's Paw Tracks says
Newton, after a bit you won’t mind missed treats cuz you are gonna feel way better. And that litter box will be your buddy again
da tabbies o trout towne says
dood….we iz troo lee sorree ya dinna make de grate ezzcape N ya had ta stay inn side de place oh eeeeeeevil…….sorree two bout de hole treetz thing….we iz knot a loud treetz heer….we send de blessings oh R pal frank two ewe…that ya get ta feelin better reel quik ~~~ ♥♥♥☺☺☺
Caren Gittleman says
Oh Newton you poor sweetie! Your expression was too cute and I can tell that you did awfully well at the Vet even if you didn’t want to be there! Hoping that by removing the plant-based treats, you are back to yourself in no time!!! xoxo
Madi says
Newton here’s to a proper ph balance in no time.
Hugs madi your bfff
The Swiss Cats says
We cross our paws that your strict treat-free diet helps and that you feel better soon. Purrs
Colehaus Cats says
We’re sending good thoughts and soft purrs to you, sweet Newton, so your pees will return to a normal state. Don’t worry about those nasty treats. We had to give up all ours, too, for the same reason. We only missed them for a day or three, or maybe it was a week, whatevs, we feel much better now without them!
Ellen Pilch says
I hope you feel better soon Newton.
Melissa & Mudpie says
Poor Newton 🙁 Purring that he feels better very soon! (I love the sign at your vet’s office with that day’s patients…too cute!)
emma and buster says
Paws crossed Newton! Take care and hope you feel better soon,k?
Brian Frum says
Purrs to you dear Newton. We hope you kick that pH in the right direction super soon.
Lola and Lexy says
We hope you feel better soon, Newton!
Cathy Keisha says
Whoa! For a sec I wondered what the problem was since he eats raw. I’ll be innerested to see how eliminating the treats goes. As you know our Chizzy fought crystals up until he had to go to the RB. At the time, he was forced to eat crappy prescription kibble. To change the topic, it’s amazing how different we cats look at the vet. All our confidence looks gone and shattered.
Three Chatty Cats says
Aww, poor Newton being whisked off to the vet. But it sounds like it was a good thing he went! I hope the no-treats diet helps.
William's Kith & Kin says
Newton, you poor guy! We hope that everything returns to normal very soon. And we were *very* impressed with the welcome sign at your vet’s office!
Kitties Blue says
We totally appreciate your in-depth examination of pH values. This is a post that mom intends to save for future reference should she need it. Hope Pierre doesn’t get too upset about having to give up his treats and starts feeling better really soon. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo