2016 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

The study was announced to northern Colorado animals shelters by list serve. Cats with clinical signs of lower urinary tract disease and cystoliths confirmed via radiographs were enrolled in this IACUC approved study. Qualifying cats were transferred and maintained at the research study site to assure that only the test diet was fed. Complete blood cell count, serum biochemistry profile, abdominal ultrasound, and urinalysis with aerobic bacterial culture and antimicrobial sensitivity were performed on entry to and exit from the study. The cats were housed in a gang room, fed the study diet ad libitum, and assessed by abdominal radiographs weekly. Cats with cystoliths that resolved based on two sequential weekly radiographs and confirmatory ultrasound examination were considered diet successes. Cats with no change in cystolith size after four weeks underwent cystotomy for stone removal, aerobic culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and analysis at the University of Minnesota Urolith Center. The cats were then adopted to private homes and when possible, the study diet was continued and abdominal radiographs were obtained to evaluate for recurrence.