Expert: Herbs, NuVet Plus Supplements, Dog/Cat Food Recipes; ( Marie) - 5/23/2009

Question
I have several neutered cats that have been getting urinary tract infections. They have been on clavamox. One of them blocked and had to be catheterized and one had FLUTD and finally had to have a perenial urethrostomy. They are fed either Royal Canin SO or Hills CD. The vet tech suggested I might try saw palmetto. She said I could purchase it at Wal Mart but all I could find there was softgels for humans, which I purchased. They are 160 mg and the directions say 2 per day for humans. My question is this okay to give to my cats in this form? And would I need to cut the gels and maybe give each cat 1/4 or less? Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Hi Lori - The key to Urinary tract infections in cats is WATER...
WET food with water added... How about you do some cooking for them with SoJo's mix - you add your own lightly Cooked meats to the mix...
SoJo will give them the balance they need - Royal Canin and Hill's is awful stuff.
Another option is some recipes for home cooking - I have some just for your problem crystals and stones in cats...

Here is the SoJo's site : I get mine ( for my dogs) right to my door with free shipping:
http://www.sojos.com/index.aspx?affiliate=petnurse
I bet that cats will love you cooking sojo.
Also, add some NuVET feline powder to the food ( any food and mix)
Give each cats just 1/2 a dosage per day .... After a few weeks you can work them up to a full dosage of the NuVET Feline powder.
I would give NuVET rather than the Saw Palmetto for urinary health.
NuVET will re-build a poor immune system ( from the Clavamox) the system has been weakened.
http://www.nuvet.com/81098
Make sure you get the Feline formual and not the dog one...
Give my name as your pet expert: Marie Peppers ask the Pet Nurse.

RECIPE -
YOU can try this:  cook up 1 x per week and FREEZE - take out what you need:


Here is what you can make:
We have had good luck with this :
KEEP your vet up-to-date on your Feeding choices...

Dr. Pitcairn's Feline Diet for Kidney Problems

1 1/3 cups (2/3 pound) ground chicken, OR turkey
4 cups cooked white rice
4 eggs
2 tablespoons cold-pressed safflower, soy or corn oil
1,500 milligrams calcium ( TUMS)
1/8 teaspoon iodized salt

1 teaspoon parsley, finely grated carrot or other vegetable (optional)
5,000 IU vitamin A
Taurine and other cat vitamins (about 5 days' worth)
50 milligram level B complex (or 10 milligrams per day)
2,500 milligrams vitamin C (½ teaspoon sodium ascorbate)
( If you use the NuVET vitamins you don't need the taurine, B, or C)
NuVET Feline has that and much more ....

Mix everything together in a large bowl.  * mix all but the vitamins together, bake about 20 minutes in a moderate oven and then wait until it cools to mix in the vitamins.  Occasionally, substitute 1 to 3 teaspoons of liver for part of the meat.
Before each meal add a teaspoon or more of water - just for the x-tra offering of water mixed into the food...TO stop the Stones...
Water, and water... ( just not too much )

*****************************

AS FAR as the Vitamins : YOU don't need the supplements above , in the recipe - if you use NuVET for cats:
NuVET is Excellent:
see here for ordering NuVET feline Formula:
http://www.nuvet.com/81098
Look for NuVET feline powder / and use my name : Marie Peppers ask for the 15 % off when you mention my name...*********************

***********************************************

When switching to a homemade diet, please consult with your vet about your kitty's particular needs.
Some of these recipes have 'general' guidelines, which may or may not be suitable for your cat!


I hope this has helped - a good food and NuVET will fix this problem much more than the Saw Palmetto could ...

BEST of Luck

Marie Peppers LPN MA
Ask the Pet Nurse