Objective: To investigate the effect of choreito consumption (500 mg/kg of body weight/d) on struvite crystal formation and signs of lower urinary tract disease (LUTD) in cats consuming a commercial canned diet with 0.5% added inorganic magnesium.
Sample population: 6 male and 6 female adult cats, all considered to be clinically normal on the basis of physical examination findings; results of CBC, serum biochemical analyses, urinalyses, and urine cultures; and freedom from urolithiasis on the basis of urethrocystoscopic (females) or urethrocystographic (males) findings.
Procedure: Diets were fed for 12 weeks, or until appearance of signs of LUTD, including dysuria, hematuria, urine pH > 7.0, and severe struvite crystalluria. Presence of at least 2 of these signs was required for removal from study. Urine specimens were examined for electrolytes, struvite crystal content, and hematuria.
Results: Results for urine variables were compared between groups at 4 weeks, because of reduction in cat numbers attributable to removal from study. Struvite crystal content of 24-hour urine specimens was significantly lower for cats fed the choreito-containing diet. Moreover, frequency and severity of hematuria were significantly decreased in cats fed the choreito-containing diet. Correlation between hematuria and struvite crystal content was not observed in either group. Additionally, all 6 cats fed the diet without choreito had been removed from study by day 58 because of signs of LUTD. Of the 6 cats fed the choreito-containing diet, 2 completed the 12-week study.
Clinical relevance: Choreito may be beneficial for relief of some signs of struvite-associated LUTD disease in cats.