Hello Dr. Magnifico,

I found your videos on YouTube recently and am grateful for the clarity and compassion with which you explain feline urinary issues. I’m hoping you might be able to offer some guidance—or possibly see my cat, Sole—for evaluation and a treatment plan.

Sole is a stray I rescued about 11 months ago, with the hope that he could become a companion for my father, who is a senior citizen and disabled. My father lives on a fixed income below the poverty line, and I’ve been subsidizing Sole’s veterinary care myself. Unfortunately, the cost of care he may need if he becomes blocked has reached a point that I simply can’t afford on my own.

About six weeks ago, Sole was diagnosed with struvite crystals via urinalysis that showed ammonium magnesium phosphate crystals (grade 2+, 6–20/HPF). He was immediately switched to a strict diet of Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Urinary SO wet food, with extra water added to each meal. His CBC/Chem-21 panel was entirely normal—no biochemical evidence of kidney, liver, or systemic disease. The only abnormal finding was the presence of struvite crystals in alkaline urine, exactly as you’ve described in your educational videos.

Initially, the diet seemed to help—his urine pH normalized—but over the past 48–72 hours, his Fresh Crystals Health Monitor litter has shown his urine trending alkaline again. Finally yesterday, his urine changed back to the acidic range indicated by the Health Monitor litter.

I’m monitoring him closely and trying to develop a plan in case he does become obstructed.

I’ve contacted over a dozen veterinary hospitals and clinics in my area, but I’ve exhausted every affordable option. I’ve been quoted $3,000–$4,500 for diagnostics and catheterization, and between $6,500–$12,000 for a PU surgery with postoperative care. Unfortunately, financial aid programs here only apply if the applicant is denied CareCredit. My father, despite living below the poverty line, was approved for a $3,000 line—which paradoxically makes us ineligible for assistance.

We are scheduled for a follow-up urinalysis with our local vet in about two weeks, but their pricing is becoming increasingly difficult to manage. After seeing your work and approach to compassionate, accessible care, I wanted to reach out to ask whether you might be able to help us.

Thank you so much for your time, compassion, and all that you share to help both pets and their people.

With gratitude,
JP
and Sole 🐾