Walther
First measurement
The reason why I bought the cat urine specific gravity refractometer PAL-CAT was that my cat was found to have severe kidney disease at his 7-year-old examination last year. After four months of fighting the illness, unfortunately he passed away.
I felt I should have already known that many cats get kidney disease from the time I first got him, so I fell into self-loathing due to my lack of preparation. I bought the PAL-CAT because I decided that I was going to do everything I could for him.
I heard that in the case of kidney disease in cats, the specific gravity value of urine often decreases before polydipsia (increase in thirst) and polyuria (frequent urination).
I have 3 other cats, so I would like to measure their specific gravity of urine and ph at home on a regular basis so that I will not overlook even the slightest changes.
[Cats of the Hanamura family](As of 2022）
・Nanako, BENGAL, 9 years old, female
・Quincy, MIX, 7 years old, female
・Walther, MIX, 7 years and 4 months old, male
・Chibimi, MIX, 2 years old, female
mako
sachiko
There are two cats in our house, one is (*) 12 years old and the other is (*) 18 years old. A veterinarian pointed out that the 18 year old cat`s renal function had declined, so we purchased the cat urine specific gravity refractometer PAL-CAT to measure the values at home.
It was hard to collect the urine at first. The collection itself is not difficult, but I couldn`t when the cat was actually standing in the litterbox. The solution was to install a motion sensor in front of the cat litter box. When it detects the cat`s movement into the litterbox, a notification will be sent by email to the specified destination. The time lag is usually around a few seconds (depending on the product), so if I hear the notification sound and rush to the bathroom, I can make it in time. We take an empty cat food can (washed) prepared in advance in the cat litter box, and lift the tail of the urinating cat and discretely insert under the butt to collect the urine. The collected urine is then dropped on the PAL-CAT with a disposable dropper for measurement.
[Frequency of urine collection]
18 year old cat: once every 2-3 weeks
12 year old cat: once every 2-3 months
(*) The age of the cats are as of 2021.
The impression after trying it was that it is easy to handle. It is also hygienic because it can be washed with water, and it is good to be able to transfer data via Bluetooth.
Nyanto House`s `Muu-kun
Muu-kun model mascot
The PAL-Fukumaru for cat urine specific gravity was purchased for cats at home. In March 2020, struvite bladder stones were found, and even though it was cured by changing the diet, we started to go to test the cat urine every month. My veterinarian said the urine has been clear for a while now, so we will go down to getting a urine test once every three months, with the goal of reducing the number of urine tests even more in the future.
However, I bought it because I wanted to measure the urine specific gravity at home every once in a while.
One of the major goals of pursuing a comfortable, enjoyable life between cats and people is to want cats to live without stress and be healthy.
I think it is important to be aware of any abnormalities in the cat's body at an early stage and measure the specific gravity of urine at home in order to stay healthy and be together for a long time.
(*) I'm thinking of sharing information on preventive measures to Nyanto House.
As for the urine collection method, since I am using biodegradable cat litter, it is not possible to remove the sheet like in a system litterebox (an unconventional litterbox that only requires less replacement of litter/urine sheets), so I use a urocatcher. As for my impression after trying it, I thought that if the urine could be collected sucessfully, it would be easy to measure.
* Fujisaki Construction Industry Co., Ltd. Nyanto House Division's "rental housing where you can live with cats" business
■Click here for details on Nyanto House
an
（mix 16year old cat:male）
Objective numerical management is reliable.
As my cat gets older, appetite lessens and I was worried about polydipsia (sharp increase in thirst levels) and polyuria (increase in urination), so I purchased the PAL ™ -CAT cat urine specific gravity refractometer to manage the specific gravity of urine. I also let my veterinarian know that I am managing it at home.
Many veterinarians recommend the administration of antibiotics when cats get sick, but because I am worried about the effects on the kidney system, I try to refrain from using them. For this reason, we started to control the pH and specific gravity of urine and then feed.
Even if there are variations in the method of collecting urine, if you try it a few times, the number will be the same so you can trust it.
Please continue to develop good test kits.
Vert（Ve・ru）is a cat breeding ※cattery specializing in the Russian Blue breed for 21 years since 1999.
Vert representative Ms. Sato believes that by maintaining close contact with new owners to provide their extensive knowledge and network on breeding, heredity, and medicine, they can protect the Russian Blue lineage and give the breeded cats a happy life as a member of the family for their entire lives.
Ms. Sato became a breeder because his favorite famous manga artist who loved cats became sick, and heard that he had taken in a 9 month old cat from there.
※Only cat breeders licensed by TICA（The International Cat Association）or CFA（The Cat Fanciers’ Association）, global cat protection organizations, are allowed to give their names.
For both cats and humans there is a direct link between being happy and being healthy. As humans, when we become sick we can go to the hospital and drink medicine ourselves.
However, cats that can`t speak do not show that they are in poor condition, so course there is no way to convey there is an issue. It is very common tale that by the time the sickness is discovered, it has already significantly progressed.
At that time, cats are rushed to a clinic, but it oftentimes becomes too late. Therefore, Ms. Sato says that daily management is key.
Elderly cats have a high rate of contracting kidney disease. Kidney disease is a scary disease with no cure, but early detection and coping therapy can slow its progression. The PAL-™CAT cat urine specific gravity refractometer that allows for easy urine checks at home has now become an indispensible item for us.
QHow did you hear about the PAL™-CAT?
AAn owner of one of the cats adopted from us told us about it.
QWhat did you think after trying it?
AAt first, we were confused about how to collect the cat urine. We figured out that we can easily collect it if we put a pee pad onto a tray-type litter box with some plastic wrap over the top. The PAL-™CAT only needs a small amount, and it`s great that we can know the measurement right away.
QWhat was the reading?
AWell actually, the numbers from one retired cat were not good, so we had to take him into a veterinary clinic for a detailed examination.
QDid the examination results come back okay?
ANo, the cat was diagnosed with an early stage of kidney disease. Luckily, because it was detected early and we followed a diet closely, it was not urgent. Just because we used something that was recommended to us by chance, we were able to detect the kidney disease early on and realized it was a necessity.. Because we get many questions about health management for the cats we`ve adopted out, we are thinking it would be good to advise them to use the cat urine specific gravity meter.
An image of the actual measurement has been provided.
Thank you Ms. Sato.
Dr. Saito
The Crews Animal Hospital is a veterinary clinic with integrated pet salon and pet hotel located in Chofu City, Tokyo, Japan.
In the morning, the clinic is cleaned, boarded pets are walked, meals are prepared, and veterinary care and medications are provided. The outpatient visits are available all morning and afternoon. Lunch time is filled with scheduled surgeries and examinations and after hours are used to take care of the boarded pets, every day is a busy day. Nonetheless, seeing pets recover and pet owners be pleased with the service is very motivating and rewarding for them.
Dr. Saito,the director of the Crews Animal Hospital said that animals cannot speak for themselves to tell you what is wrong with them. In order to notice even minor changes in an animal’s behavior or condition, it is important to examine each animal with the utmost care.
No mistakes are allowed when diagnosing. At the Crews Animal Hospital, a urine specific gravity meter PAL™-DOG&CATis used which can measure accurate value of urine specific gravity for evaluation of kidney function.
We have been using an analogue urine specific gravity meter for human use and in 2014 we purchased PAL-DOG&CAT. Due to the fact that the analogue unit was made for humans, the results of the urine specific gravity must be convert to that of dogs and cats. By switching to PAL™-DOG&CAT conversion is no longer needed. The PAL™-DOG&CAT can measure high range values and is easy to measure. ”
At Crews Animal Hospital, PAL™-DOG&CAT urine specific gravity meter is used every day, even more so than ever.
Dr. Saito, thank you for taking the time to speak with us.
We thank you for your continuing patronage.
Crews Animal Hospital's Website
http://crews-doubutsu-byouin.jp/
Dr. Yuichi Miyagawa
Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University
We spoke with Dr. Yuichi Miyagawa（※）
At veterinary hospitals, urine specific gravity is always measured as a part of urine examination. For example, chronic kidney disease is a common problem and is one of the leading causes of death in felines.
This disease often has almost no obvious symptoms and is frequently unrecognized, leading to delayed diagnosis. Accelerated progression of this disease is associated with weight loss, loss of appetite and excess water intake and urination.
Chronic kidney disease impairs function to properly concentrate urine, consequently decreasing urine specific gravity. For this reason, measuring urine specific gravity can contribute to early detection.
Measuring urine specific gravity is important in diagnosing kidney disease especially because specific gravity of canine and feline urine decreases remarkably even more so than that of humans.
The normal urine specific gravity of a dog is commonly around 1.025 or more and for a cat, 1.035 or more.
Unlike human, a catheter is used to collect urine samples because animal urine is not as freely accessible; however, collection during urination will have the least amount of stress for the animals.
Recently, some pet owners purchases their own urine specific gravity meter. The best way to collect urine at home is to use a cat litter like the ones sold by Kao.
Recently, some pet owners purchases their own urine specific gravity meter. The best way to collect urine at home is to use a cat litter like the ones sold by Kao.
Urine specific gravity is measured by a urine specific gravity meter. For easier and quicker testing, we use ATAGO’s urine specific gravity meter (PAL™-DOG&CAT). Just drop a few drops of collected urine, press the start button, and the result will display after 3 seconds.
In the past, analog urine specific gravity meter was used, however, we use the digital model specifically for pets more often now.
The digital display is very easy to read and convenient to use. The one being used is more than 10 years old and has never once broke. It is used with confidence in our clinical practices.
We thank you for your continuing parsonage.
Haramaki Farms, a racehorse ranch consulting clinic, advises racehorse breeding farms on measuring the mother`s first milk (colostrum) after foal delivery, and as a part of this, introduces the PAL™-Colostrum.
Colostrum concentration and immunoglobin amount are proportional, and a Brix of 25% and above is said to be good colostrum. In the case that colostrum is below 25%, the foal is given a high Brix % colostrum that was frozen in order to avoid catching an infection.
In order to raise a healthy foal, measuring the Brix% of colostrum is important.
Also, to predict delivery times, a pH meter is recommended to measure the pH of milk.
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