Effects of choreito consumption on urine variables of healthy cats fed a magnesium-supplemented commercial diet.
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.


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
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Choreito may be beneficial for relief of some signs of struvite-associated LUTD disease in cats.
Buffington
C A
CA
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210-1089, USA.
Blaisdell
J L
JL
Kawase
K
K
Komatsu
Y
Y
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; D006417:Hematuria / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008274:Magnesium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017616:Magnesium Compounds / Q000652:urine*; D008297:Male; D010710:Phosphates / Q000652:urine*; D000069877:Struvite; D013997:Time Factors
D004232:Diuretics; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D017616:Magnesium Compounds; D010710:Phosphates; C041804:choreito; D000069877:Struvite; D008274:Magnesium