Canine UTI

Question
One of my sharpeis, a spayed 5 year old died of kidney failure very recently.  Now 2 of her offsprings both a year and a half years old are diagnosed with UTI.  Urinalysis showed +3 protein, struvite crystals, +2 bacteria, 10-20 wbc/hpf, 8-10 rbc/hpf, positive for nitrites. The blood exam showed normal SGPT, creatinine and BUN levels. The meds given are nefrotec, metronidazole and co-amoxyclav. The vet also put them on royal canin urinary s/o diet.  But I know that in a matter of days they will tire of this diet and won't eat anymore because they are quite picky.  I would like to ask if there is a homemade recipe that I could prepare for them that I can alternate with the royal canin diet.  I hope you could help me.  I was really devastated by the loss of their mother and paranoia is eating at me that they might suffer the same fate.  Thank you.

Answer
First of all, let me say how sorry I am to hear about your dog's untimely death. Five is far too young and it must have been so difficult. I lost one of mine at 8 and it was devastating. I wish you all the best with your two babies, we learn from every dog we have. :)

The good news is that struvite can be managed well,  you have caught it in time (before stones form) and with diet and veterinary management can hope to greatly reduce the likelihood of recurrence. I highly recommend a home made diet, but it does need to be formulated for you by a professional, who can provide all their essential nutrient requirements as well as manipulate levels to control the stone problem. I do not recommend owners attempt this level of formulation on their own, at all.
If you would be interested in discussing a consultation, please visit my site at www.thepossiblecanine.com, and I'd be delighted to help you with personalized recipes.
All the best, Catherine