Kidney Crystals from Blue Buffalo

[trubandloki]

@Beckham03

The vet who suggested it didn’t make a dime.
<snip>
It just upsets me when people go to their vet for help then knock every suggestion they’re given because they somehow think they’re part of some crazy pet food cult. I used to buy into some of this until I worked in the industry and saw how it isn’t true. They really just want to help you. Why go for help if you just think they’re out to get you???

Since the Hills food is mainly only available thru the vet it is pretty safe to assume that yes, the vet does make money from selling it.
(I have no problem with the vet making money, BTW.)

I think the point people are trying to make is do your own research on feeds to base your decisions on your specific animal and that research. Yes, listen to your vet too.

[QUOTE=dappled;8691977]Thank you for the support! The last thing I wanted was to subject myself to attacks by everyone who thinks they know better, but that always seems to happen on the COTH, so I suppose I should have known better. The fact is that this is what my vet wants her to be on right now because it’s proven to treat kidney crystals. I did not choose it. I did not come in here claiming it was the best food money could buy - but I don’t think it’s “garbage,” either.

I’m doing what I was told, and her crystals have cleared up. I asked for similar stories or other foods that were known to cause crystals. I do not recall asking for expert internet opinions on my cat’s nutrition or the advice of my vet.[/QUOTE]

@dappled

So anyway, she’s on Science Diet now, as my vet claims that this is the only food not only proven to keep crystals at bay for cats who are prone to them.

You asked for people’s experience after claiming that this one food is the ONLY food that keeps crystals away.
I truly can not imagine what type of response you expected if it was not a discussion about what foods have and have not worked for various critters.

Pet foods are like every other food discussion. There are people who think one thing is evil and just as many people who think only that one thing is good. That is why it is called a discussion.

I am glad to hear your cat is doing better.

[ASBJumper]

I’m still not clear on what exactly the OP is feeding - are you feeding your cat Science Diet CANNED food, or SD kibble?

If it’s kibble, then you’re simply lucky that the crystals are temporarily gone - probably only because it’s marginally better than what you were feeding before.

If you are feeding SD canned, then it’s a decent option.

Low-quality canned is pretty much always going to be a better option than high-quality kibble.

Cats need tons of moisture in their diet - they get 95% of their moisture by eating, not by drinking. So by feeding them a dehydrated diet, people are doing them a huge disservice.

They are obligate carnivores and are designed to eat meat, nothing else. Meat has a high moisture content.

My cats are 13 and 16 and have not had any issues with crystals since i moved them OFF Science Diet kibble. They now get Performatrin grain-free canned only. They have previously been on Wellness, Tiki Cat, Before Grain, Natural Balance, etc. and did well on all of those - Performatrin is a Canadian brand therefore more affordable for me, that’s the only reason I switched.

Good luck, hope your kitty stays healthy!

[ASBJumper]

oopsies, double post

[HappyTalk]

@trubandloki;8692065

Since the Hills food is mainly only available thru the vet it is pretty safe to assume that yes, the vet does make money from selling it.
(I have no problem with the vet making money, BTW.)

The vet mark up on prescription food is very small; at least at my clinic. We stock it for the convenience of the client. And it is not just Hills, it is also the Royal Canin and the Purina.

[dappled]

[QUOTE=trubandloki;8692065]
Since the Hills food is mainly only available thru the vet it is pretty safe to assume that yes, the vet does make money from selling it.
(I have no problem with the vet making money, BTW.)

I think the point people are trying to make is do your own research on feeds to base your decisions on your specific animal and that research. Yes, listen to your vet too.

You asked for people’s experience after claiming that this one food is the ONLY food that keeps crystals away.
I truly can not imagine what type of response you expected if it was not a discussion about what foods have and have not worked for various critters.

Pet foods are like every other food discussion. There are people who think one thing is evil and just as many people who think only that one thing is good. That is why it is called a discussion.

I am glad to hear your cat is doing better.[/QUOTE]

Again, that is in no way asking for personal opinions on what I’m doing now. As I said, this is what my vet told me. She told me that SD is the only proven food to prevent crystals.

I asked for other people’s experiences with crystals and what foods their pets were on when they developed them. I did not ask what you all thought of my vet’s advice or our new regiment. Very different.

[trubandloki]

[QUOTE=HappyTalk;8692123]
The vet mark up on prescription food is very small; at least at my clinic. We stock it for the convenience of the client. And it is not just Hills, it is also the Royal Canin and the Purina.[/QUOTE]

My MIL pays ‘cost’ for her prescription dog food from the vet (long term relationship and the MIL plays the poor widow card well). She gets the 17lb bag and the difference is almost $20 (and the price the vet charges is similar to what it costs on places like Chewy).

I want to make it very clear, I have no issue with this pricing. It is what it is. I just doubt most vets offices offer shelf space and the hassle of selling it just because they think it is the right thing to do.

[o0rxkxrox0o]

@dappled;8692147

Again, that is in no way asking for personal opinions on what I’m doing now. As I said, this is what my vet told me. She told me that SD is the only proven food to prevent crystals.

I mean, if that’s what your vet says, why ask for other people’s opinions on other products? If that’s the only proven food for prevention, wouldn’t that inherently make anyone else wrong, if they’re not using that particular product?

I asked for other people’s experiences with crystals and what foods their pets were on when they developed them. I did not ask what you all thought of my vet’s advice or our new regiment. Very different.

See above.

Also, as for your comment about people here not being vets - I’ve seen at least 2 known vets reply to this thread thus far.

The question still stands - are you feeding dry, or wet food? What ASBJumper said in her(?) post is accurate.

[Mosey_2003]

Somebody needs to calm the heck down…

[shayaalliard]

Seconding that any cat, especially one with crystals, NEEDS to be on wet food. SD is a reasonable choice of canned, although s the other poster stated, even cheap canned is worlds better for them than the most expensive dry.

Dry kibble really isn’t good for cats. I’d also get a fountain to encourage more drinking if you haven’t already.

Current theory is lack of moisture in the diet is why we see so many kidney cats as well are bladder crystals.

For what it’s worth, I don’t like SD. I feed 4Health grain free (it’s TOTW in a cheaper package) because that is where quality and price intersect for me.

I also feed cheaper canned daily to get more water into the cats- I mix a can of water with a can of food and they all drink up their “soup”.

My oldie gets a freeze dried raw food that I rehydrate as well. For him it’s all about moisture and calories.

[Ghazzu]

[QUOTE=saje;8691565]

The problem is that for cats with urinary issues, a top quality low or no grain dry food is horrible for them.[/QUOTE]

IMHO, any dry food for a cat with a history of urinary tract issues is contraindicated.

[saje]

Perhaps.

But my boys have done very well for the last 5+ years on the regimen I posted above.

YCMMV, since there are always multiple factors involved.

[Ghazzu]

[QUOTE=saje;8692557]
Perhaps.

But my boys have done very well for the last 5+ years on the regimen I posted above.

YCMMV, since there are always multiple factors involved.[/QUOTE]

With your cat population, it would likely bankrupt you. I do understand that practicality intervenes, and meant to include that in my post. Your description sounds perfectly reasonable.

[Horsegal984]

Ummmmm small detail guys. I don’t think the OP is feeding SCIENCE DIET. I believe she’s feeding C/D prescription diet, which is different and designed to eliminate crystals in the urine. Now, I would still be feeding the canned version, but it’s a bit different from just changing from BB to Science Diet.

[Beethoven]

Yes, consistently Blue Buffalo causes urinary crystals which in male cats can lead to him being blocked. Emergency situation.

[Beethoven]

[QUOTE=Paks;8691642]
This is the statement that was made.
“Actually vets aren’t really taught that much about cat nutrition” Didn’t say they weren’t taught nutrition said that they weren’t taught much about cat nutrition. Frankly cats are in kind of a back water of knowledge compared to dogs or livestock. Very little research and very little emphasis on them.[/QUOTE]

Really, interesting, so I take it you have you Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree hanging on your wall? What university is it from?

I GET SO SICK OF PEOPLE TELLING ME WHAT I WAS OR WAS NOT TAUGHT IN VET SCHOOL!!!

I totally went to school and came out with $375,000 of debt to learn nothing. I mean it pretty pointless really. Clearly Dr. Google knows it all.

[Beethoven]

[QUOTE=Ghazzu;8692541]
IMHO, any dry food for a cat with a history of urinary tract issues is contraindicated.[/QUOTE]

Yea, but some cats just won’t eat the wet food, so the dry prescription is better than others.

My 4 cats ate a bag of Royal Canin SO dry and the amount they peed during that 10 lbs bag was insane. They drank like fishes.

My cats eat Natural Balance. Personally, it is my favorite brand so I do mention it if my clients ask. (I feed my dog that as well.) My cats eat dry food only. They all drink fantastic. I see all of my cats drink multiple times a day. My 4 cats and dog were draining my large gallon water bowl in a day or less. I added a fountain and now that their favorite, but of course the dog loves it too. It thankfully holds about a gallon of water as well and I’m constantly adding water, so the pump doesn’t blow up. My 14 year old male cat has impeccable bloodwork which is checked every 6 months. So cats can be maintained on dry alone if they are good drinkers.

[Beckham03]

I still had a cat with crystals on a wet food only, mixed with water diet. Hence the CD.

[Paks]

[QUOTE=Beethoven;8692901]
Really, interesting, so I take it you have you Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree hanging on your wall? What university is it from?

I GET SO SICK OF PEOPLE TELLING ME WHAT I WAS OR WAS NOT TAUGHT IN VET SCHOOL!!!

I totally went to school and came out with $375,000 of debt to learn nothing. I mean it pretty pointless really. Clearly Dr. Google knows it all.[/QUOTE]

I sincerely doubt you were taught as much about nutrition as a dietitian would have been for humans. Sorry but I get far to many stupid comments from vets on nutrition. Such as you would get the same results that “you get feeding a dog a raw diet as you would feeding kibble and a pound of Crisco a day.” Sorry but even the training I had as a dietary tech way back when knows that is wrong. Don’t say protein is protein whether meat or vegetable without taking into account the amino acid ratios. Plus when it comes to cats, Taurine? No I’m not a vet but have training as medical technologist and a dietary technician. (switched majors when an eye problem made using a biocular microscope impossible but I could program with my eyes closed) So quite frankly I get tired of Vets who go I have a degree so you should believe every thing I say no matter what.

I’ve found out the hard way that with medical doctors the need to check the facts for myself as it cost me a daughter to discover that. So forgive me if I carry on the same with my vets. While I realize egos may be bruised, to me it beats losing another life because I didn’t want to offend an MD or VMD.

As far as nutrition for cats, really I haven’t been impressed by what the vets bring to the table in knowledge. Frankly I have an old book from 1963 that does a better job. Note that is a book, with pages, not google. Though I do look up current research etc. and so far they are in line with that old book.

[Ghazzu]

[QUOTE=Paks;8693001]
.

As far as nutrition for cats, really I haven’t been impressed by what the vets bring to the table in knowledge. Frankly I have an old book from 1963 that does a better job. Note that is a book, with pages, not google. Though I do look up current research etc. and so far they are in line with that old book.[/QUOTE]

Youmight want to update your reference book, since the taurine connection to tapetal issues in the cat was not determined until the 1970’s.

[cswoodlandfairy]

Not a cat but a dog, but I’m pretty sure that Blue Buffalo had a part with my dogs health. I switched her about a year and a half a go to Blue Buffalo. It took a couple months but suddenly my dog had a lot of health issues. After a year of ups and dogs, I finally broke down and took her to the vet and she had EPI. No big deal, easily workable and Na’vi has a great life and the vet even called her pudgy!!

While EPI is thought to be a genetic disease it can also be cause by environment. My girl is now 6 and never had an issue until we changed her food to Blue Buffalo. Now it could all be coincidence and of course we’ll really never know, but her other litter mates do not have any issues. Of course I stopped feeding it when the issues got explosive and thought it was the food. She did better for a while, but I think the damage was done and slowly her pancreas was losing more function to digest food and when she went to the vet, it was completely not working.

Oh well. Glad I caught it, feed a fantastic local food by Sammy Snacks called Ancestry and never had a problem since. But I do know that Blue has had many recalls and been in the forefront of dog food contamination a lot over the last year or so…