Kidneys, Struvite and Maine Coons

magnusfide wrote:
We have a Maine Coon who is 12. He's always been indoors because he eats a special struvite diet. Now the vet states he's entering the middle phase of renal insuffiency. Dr Doug and all: Below are some questions I'm cogitating and in my research I've come across a mix of answers that contradict each other at times.
1. Is it phosphorus or potassium that causes struvite issues?
2. Are cats who have struvite issues at increased risk for kidney failure?
3. Instead of the expensive prescription dry food, can a canned wet cat food low in ash work just as well?
4. The vet recommended a powder food additive to ease the cat's kidneys. Called Epakitin, what's the track record of this additive?

We realize that Maine Coons don't live as long as some mixed breeds but we're still thinking that 12 is a bit too young for him to be developing renal insufficiency after living on a special diet all of his life.