Struvite Crystals, Chronic UTI, Allergies

Question
QUESTION: I have a 2 1/2 year old husky female that weighs 58 pounds.  She was rescued almost a year ago from a now closed down puppy mill situation.  She was seen by a vet immediately for UTI and food allergies.  Her tests have shown that she is allergic to chicken, lamb, yeast, rice, and pea.  She also has chronic e coli based UTI's, and she has crystals, I believe they are struvite, on every urine check.  She has been on many antibiotics and even had an episioplasty to reconstruct her vaginal area.  After all of this she still has incontinence, licking has increased, and she has frequency with one day of antibiotics left.  For her allergies she is on Natural Balance Duck and Potato, and have also tried Venison and Potato.  The vet would like her on Hills or Royal Canin for crystals but the ingredients are not suitable for her allergies.  Any suggestions would be appreciated as this has been a merry go round for almost a year without any resolution.
Thank you,
Angela


ANSWER: Wow!!!  This girl is lucky to have you.  POOR kid.....
I am thinking that Silver Shield may be a good option for this girl.
I would start with 1 teaspoon in the am and 1 teaspoon in the pm.
This product is all natural and very safe for short term usage.  
Give her some Silver Shield for a few months -  
Down the road, you can give just 1 dosage every-OTHER-day.
Silver Shield is made by Nature's Sunshine : you can find this in many health stores; Call around and see if they carry this product.

BEST wishes to you two!

Marie Peppers LPN MA

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for the suggestion.  I will call around and get her started on Silver Shield today.  Do you have any diet advice that would accommodate the UTI/crystal issue as well as the food allergy issue.  I read an article earlier today that stated that duck may not be the best protein for UTI's.  Any diet recommendations would also be appreciated.

Thank you,

Angela

ANSWER: Hi - I don't have any diets to suggest because they all contain rice.
Here is a link to the diets:  I did not suggest them because she will be allergic to many of the options:
see here:  Keep doing your home-work!
good luck
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Dog-Food-Canine-3799/2009/5/STRUVITE-BLADDER-STONES-c

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I agree that it is hard to find the diet that will work for her.  I saw in another post that you suggested SoJo's grain free.  Do you feel that may be an option for my husky?  If so, do you have supplement suggestions as to make it balanced or should she be on something like cranberry, or ACV to help her crystals which eventually become UTI's?  I am trying to find Silver Shield so I can get that started.  I am trying to do the right things for her but she has two conflicting health issues that make it difficult for me to determine where to go from here.

Thank you for all of the help you have given.

Angela

Answer
SoJo's is a great food and it could work for your kid.  See here: this is the free shipping link - right to your door:
Look for ONLY the green bag:
http://www.sojos.com/index.aspx?affiliate=petnurse
( you will be limited on the meats you can use/ because of your dog's allergies)

The Silver Shield can be found - just call around or many places do carry it "on-line".
Just do a search :
Nature's Sunshine Silver Shield


As far as supplements:  I would suggest a multi vitamin/ NuVET has chicken in the ingredients, so look for something else..... Boy, I do have great results with the NuVET Plus.
Look for something holistic with No x-tra iron added.
Here is the NuVET Link-
http://www.nuvet.com/81098
tell them:****
( from Marie Peppers of Ask the Pet Nurse)


Cranberry is fine.....any of the Human Cranberry pills / I believe Nature's Sunshine has a cranberry supplement.


Good Luck
Let me know how you do with the SoJo's////////
It is worth every penny !

Marie Peppers LPN MA