Clinical evaluation of commercially available urinary acidification diets in the management of idiopathic cystitis in cats

Objective-To compare recurrence of signs of lower urinary tract disease (LU TD) in cats with idiopathic cystitis that were fed the dry or canned formul ation of a commercial diet designed to result in production of an acidic ur ine. Design-Prospective trial. Animals-54 client-owned cats with idiopathic cystitis that was diagnosed on the basis of a history of abnormal micturition, abnormal results on urinal ysis, radiography, or cystoscopy, and lack of an alternative diagnosis. Procedure-Cats were assigned to be fed the canned or dry formulation of the diet. Reevaluations conducted at 2 and 16 weeks, and at 6 and 12 months in cluded a physical examination, CBC and serum biochemical analysis (except w eek 2), blood gas analysis, and urinalysis. Regular telephone contacts were also made. The study was discontinued after 12 months or if signs of LUTD recurred. Results-Signs of LUTD did not recur in 16 of 18 cats fed the canned diet, a nd 17 of 28 cats led the dry diet (chi(2), p < 0.05). Seven cats were reeva luated at recurrence. Owners of remaining cats in which signs of LUTD recur red declined to have their pets reexamined. A different problem (bacterial urinary tract infection) was identified in only 1 cat on reevaluation. Eigh t cats were lost to follow-up evaluation. Clinical Implications-feeding this commercial canned urinary acidifying die t may reduce the proportion of cats with idiopathic cystitis that will have recurrence of signs of LUTD within a 12-month period.