Crystals in Urine & Diet

Question
QUESTION: My belgian sheepdog is 5yrs old & hypothyroid (diagnosed at 2yrs old). This week he was diagnosed with crystals in his urine and the vet wants to discuss diet with me. He is fed Wellness brand dog food with Wysong C-Biotic as a supplement. In addition, as treats he enjoys chicken jerky, carrots and green beans, yogurt and cottage cheese. Upon occasion he gets small bites of cheddar. He receives plenty of exercise, water, etc.

ANSWER: Hi Patti,

What type of crystals does he have? What has your vet recommended? My own suggestions would be based on the type of crystal and whether or not the vet has suggested dietary changes at this time. Get back to me and I can help much more.

All the best, Catherine

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

QUESTION: Hi Catherine,

Thank you for your reply, he has struvite crystals. He is on antibiotics and the vet also prescribed Hill's C/D food. At this point, we're not sure if he's developed and allergy and will have to change his diet, I'm reluctant to start feeding him C/D for life but I know I won't end up making him home-made food.

Thank you!

Answer
Hi Patti,

A number of dogs with struvite crystals can go back to a better food once the infection has been cleared up. I would ask your vet to re-do the urine test once the antibiotics are finished, and see if you can go to a premium food. I'd suggest a moderate food with about 23 - 25% protein,  or even one of the popular high protien diets. Check into Fromm FourStar,Wellness, Acana Grasslands, Natural Balance, Innova, Merrick's. If you have allergy too, that complicates matters and you might want to look at a sensitive food - Wellness, Natural Balance and Naturapet all make a limited ingredient line. But as far as struvites go, many dogs do NOT need the prescription diet at all after the UTI has been cleared.

Good luck with this - let me know if I can help any more!
Catherine