Effects of choreito and takushya consumption on in vitro and in vivo struvite solubility in cat urine.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of the takushya portion of choreito, a traditional Chinese treatment for urolithiasis, on urine and struvite crystal variables in cats fed diets containing takushya.


METHODS
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.


METHODS
Cats were fed a commercial canned diet supplemented with 0.1-mg of takushya/kg of body weight, or with 0.5 mg of choreito/kg. Diets were fed, using a Latin-square design, to 3 groups of 4 cats (2 male, 2 female) each for 2 weeks, followed by blood and 24-hour urine sample collections.


RESULTS
Consumption of takushya, which comprises 20% by weight of choreito, was not associated with adverse effects in cats at the amounts provided during the period of study. Moreover, takushya was responsible for most of the effect of choreito consumption on reduction of urine pH, and approximately half its ability to reduce struvite crystal formation in cat urine.


CONCLUSIONS
Alternative treatments for struvite urolithiasis in cats may be feasible.
Buffington
C A
CA
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210-1089, USA.
Blaisdell
J L
JL
Komatsu
Y
Y
Kawase
K
K
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats / Q000652:urine*; D004232:Diuretics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D017616:Magnesium Compounds / Q000652:urine*; D008297:Male; D010710:Phosphates / Q000652:urine*; D000069877:Struvite; D014545:Urinary Calculi / Q000188:drug therapy
D004232:Diuretics; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D017616:Magnesium Compounds; D010710:Phosphates; C041804:choreito; D000069877:Struvite