crystals in urine- special diet for dogs with chronic UTIs;

Question
We have a 10 year old female Aussie. She has been diagnosed in 2008 with crystals (not sure the type). We have had cyto performed and free catch tests, both show crystals. Did not have any symptoms until recently she had a bladder infection (E-coli) she took trimeth sulfa. Retested at 1 week- negative for e-coli; 1 month - neg for e. coli (not cultured) but crystals; 2-months - neg for e. coli (not cultured) but crystals. She is fed dry Nature's Balance Duck and Potato which seems to be good for her allergies. She also has seasonal allergies. In the summer she get hot spots on her belly and she get ear infections. She takes hydroxyzine as needed and we clean her ears regularly.

Can you tell me should we be oncerned about the crystals, and what food should we be feeding her?

Answer
Hi Becky, I would have you gal on a special home-cooking program for dogs with crystals and UTIs....
Also - a few good supplements like Cranberry and NuVET Plus - to reduce and prevent future urinary problems and kidney failure.  ( many elderly dogs have stones and then to get kidney failure in the older years.... LET's prevent it.)

Here is a common recipe that I tend to use for my clients.
Pass this by your vet.  
( PLEASE Note - most VETs will just try to Sell the Hill's RX diet)/ canned and dry dog food that smells awful.


Make your own food:

For a recipe :  not too many options - a lower fat meat - plenty of water in the mix:

Here are a few recipes for dogs with UTIs and crystals - any kind of stones--

..

***If the UTI is under control the crystals may be under control, too.


Beef and Rice Diet

1/4 pound very lean beef (raw weight), **cooked
**   OR ....( DO Lamb or chicken)**
1 egg, large, hard-boiled  *
1 1/2 cups brown rice, long-grain, cooked
1/2 ounce brewer's yeast
3 bonemeal tablets (10-grain or equivalent)
1/8 teaspoon salt substitute (potassium chloride)

**** (1  --NuVET Waffer ) see below: ( JUST ONE per day for your sized dog) ( SEE NuVET ordering link below)

( you will need to "almost" double this recipe for your dog) ( related to size)




Tuna and Rice Diet

4 ounces tuna, canned in water, without added salt
1 egg, large, hard-boiled
1 1/2 cups brown rice, long-grain, cooked
2 teaspoons vegetable (canola) oil
1/2 ounce brewer's yeast
3 bonemeal tables (10-grain or equivalent)
1/8 teaspoon salt substitute (potassium chloride)
1 multiple vitamin-mineral table OR ( NuVET 1) Wafer  ....
YOU can buy NuVET in a POWDER rather than the wafer...
Portions/ ( YOU will need to Almost double this also, for your sized dog)



I wouldn't do any treats at all  - unless you want to do some GRAIN-free : Like the brand
"NO Grainers"
Some kind of grain free / Innova evo has a treat that is also grain-free.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Supplements:

Cranberry

GREAT for kidney health:
Doc Roy's Potassium Citrate + Cranberry  ( powder)

http://www.revivalanimal.com/store/p/1995-Doc-Roy-s-Potassium
Citrate-Cranberry.aspx
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NuVET vitamins:

NuVET Plus supplements : Great for your little one:
Helps the kidneys, too......

Use each day 1 wafer per day /
Please tell them Marie Peppers sent you from All Experts:- ASK the PET NURSE Site:
39.00 for the 60 count bottle of Wafer treats
55.00 for the 90 count bottle of Wafer treats
http://www.nuvet.com/81098

When you call in -
ASK HOW you can get the 15% OFF every order.
************************************************************
Write down my name and e-mail : so we can stay in touch:
Marie Peppers / Ask the Pet Nurse
mtnmom@gci.net



Marie Peppers LPN MA

mtnmom@gci.net