[ILoveDogs]

My dog was just diagnosed with crystals in her urine. She does not have an infection but my vet suggested changing her to Royal Canin SO. I always try to feed my dogs the very best I can afford. Currently they’re on a grain free diet of a mix of Wellness CORE and Canadae Pure Elements kibble with a little grain free canned and fresh chicken mixed in. I hate the ingredients of the SO – corn, rice, etc. Plus Jada has allergies and the grain free diet seems to help with that, along with fish oil supplement and sometime a Benedryl. Any suggestions for a diet other than what she’s receiving and in place of the SO?

[pugmomsandy]

Is it struvite? The presence of crystals is undesirable, but not detrimental if there is no active urinary tract infection. A UTI can result in crystals forming into stones. What was the pH?

[ILoveDogs]

I guess I was a little premature in posting. I’m picking up the vet’s report today and I’ll post that later.

[pugmomsandy]

Ok. My dogs see a holistic vet. They have some struvite but are not symptomatic of any kind of infection. I give them urinary health supplements and they continue with their regular diet.

• This reply was modified 13 years, 2 months ago by pugmomsandy.

[ILoveDogs]

Where do you get the supplements? Are they available online? I’d also read that giving cranberry, Vit C and probiotics can help.

[pugmomsandy]

This might be easier for you: http://www.wysong.net/products/ph-dog-cat-supplement.php (Wysong Biotic pH-)

I shop mostly online but also get items at the health food store. I give d-mannose or other cranberry herbal product, Garden of Life Raw C or Mercola liposomal C, and Bragg apple cider vinegar or Flea Free Supplement (garlic and vinegar). And they take probiotics and colostrum. If their pH does not become more acidic, then I will give a dl-methionine product instead (Wysong Biotic pH-).

[ILoveDogs]

Thank you for the great information. I’ll go online later and order some of those. I’ll repost Jada’s test results when I get back home tonight. Thanks, again, for all of your help!!

[InkedMarie]

In addition to what Sandy said, it’s important to make sure your dog gets enough liquid. If you’re using kibble, add canned plus warm water to it. Try a dehydrated food such as the Honest Kitchen. Make sure your dog has plenty of opportunity to urinate.

[ILoveDogs]

Unfortunately the vet didn’t call today and so I wasn’t able to get a copy of the lab results. I always add some canned food to Jada’s kibble anyway because she’s kind of a fussy eater and I add a little fresh boiled chicken on top as well. Also include some broth or water. Currently I feed Jada Wellness Core grain-free. Plus, she has access to the back yard most of the day except for nighttime so that is not a problem. I’m anxious to see just what the lab results are and hopefully I’ll be able to pick them up tomorrow. Thanks for your help, too, Inkedmarie 🙂

[pugmomsandy]

I don’t see why you couldn’t get the urine results right away. I get mine before I leave the clinic. I get a basic urinalysis, not a send out lab.

[ILoveDogs]

I live in a very small town in southwest Utah and there is only one veterinarian. Coming originally from Chicago it’s a far cry from getting results right away. I will go to their office tomorrow to pick up a copy.

[ILoveDogs]

I finally got the results. pH is 8.5, Protein 1+, struvite crystals: 2-3, Amorphous Phosphate crystals: 2-3m, no bacteria, no UTI.

[InkedMarie]

When my dog had struvite crystals, my vet recommended on 500mg Vitamin C per day. Did your vet recommend that? The only other thing I had to do was make sure he got alot of liquid which I explained and ample opportunity to urinate.

[ILoveDogs]

I questioned my vet about supplemental Vitamin C, cranberry, and probiotics and he agreed that all could help. Since this is such a small town, I’ve decided to put Jada on the S.O. short-term and also add Vit C, cranberry and probiotics that I’ll order online. Then in about 8-10 weeks I’m going to take her to one of the larger towns that is 1 to 1-1/2 hours away that has larger veterinary practices and have her tested again and hopefully be able to get better advice on her condition. I love living in this beautiful small town but the downside is limited care for my pets, as well as for me. Thanks for your support and suggestions.

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