calcium oxalate stones in dogs

Question
Do you ever recommend potassium citrate given with food to help deter calcium oxalate stones ?
(Hill's apparently has a lot of that in it's U/D diet food and info' I got from Purina said I think 100mg/kg of dog's weight/day can be used)

Thank you for any info'.  

Answer
I do not like Hill's U/D food as it is TOO LOW in protein and I have seen several dalmations develop heart murmurs while on the food (they are very prone to urates and that is what the diet was originally designed for).  I usually will use presription diet K/D or NF for dogs with calcium oxalates.  

I do not recommend potassium citrate unless diet modification is not working to control crystal formation.  You can add Vitamin B6 to help retard crystal formation.

Feeding a low protein diet that is also reduced in salt and calcium making an alkaline pH (7.0-7.5) will help retard the formation in addition to increasing water consumption, therefore, canned food is preferred (hence the rational for K/D or NF).  Vegetarian diets can be feed to dogs as a low protein diet.  

Also, discontinuing any Vitamin C and D supplements or those with Calcium in it.  Giving filtered water is better than tap water.  Eliminating dog biscuits and subsituting veggies for treats is a good idea.  Certain foods that are high in oxalates or calcium, or foods that increase calcium levels, must be avoided. They include high protein foods, spinach, rhubarb, parsley, milk products, and table salt.

In addition, it is wise to have blood calcium levels check to rule out any underlyiing disease that may be contributing...hyperparathyroidism is one such disease that often leads to calcium stones.