Abstract:

This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a Urinary prescription canned food as an adjunctive treatment for feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). A total of twelve healthy cats were randomly assigned to two groups: the Urinary prescription canned food group (referred to as the urinary group) and a control group, with each group consisting of six cats. Throughout the feeding period, daily water intake and emotional states of the cats were monitored. Urinalysis, urine sediment examination, and measurements of magnesium (Mg²⁺), oxalate (C₂O₄^2-), phosphate (PO₄^3-), and calcium (Ca²⁺) concentrations in urine were conducted both prior to and following the feeding regimen. Additionally, metabolomics analysis was performed on urine samples collected post-feeding. The urinary group demonstrated a higher cumulative water intake compared to the control group. Furthermore, there was a 5% increase in the proportion of positive emotional states, particularly "content", in the urinary group relative to the control group. Post-feeding analysis revealed a significant reduction in the urinary sediment of the urinary group, including crystalline substances, casts, and urethral epithelial cell counts (P<0.05), with significant differences when compared to the control group (P<0.05). The concentrations of Mg²⁺, C₂O₄^2-, PO₄^3-, and Ca²⁺ in the urine of the urinary group significantly decreased after feeding (P<0.05), again showing significant differences from the control group (P<0.05). Metabolomics analysis identified a total of 5 767 metabolites, with 381 differentially expressed metabolites that were significantly enriched in the tryptophan metabolism pathway. The findings of this study indicate that the Urinary prescription canned food effectively inhibits the formation of struvite and calcium oxalate uroliths, reduces the presence of urethral epithelial cells and casts in urine, and positively influences the emotional well-being of felines. Moreover, it significantly affects the tryptophan-serotonin metabolic pathway, thereby playing a beneficial role in the regulation of stress and anxiety in cats. This dietary intervention holds potential clinical significance in the adjunctive management of FLUTD.

Key words: feline lower urinary tract disease, urolithiasis, prescription food, efficacy evaluation, urine metabolomics