calcium oxalate stones - min. schnauzer

Question
My female schnauzer has calcium oxalate stones.  She is currently being fed homemade meal, chicken rice, green beans, sweet potatoes, etc.  I may also add a little baking soda in her food to balance her ph level.  Can you recommend a food that she can eat from a reputable company.
It is very hard to cook for her every night.  Please help me.

Thanks,

Mindy

Answer
Good morning, Mindy.

A study published in 2002 suggests that feeding canned diets formulated to contain high amounts of meat protein, fat, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, and moisture and a low amount of carbohydrate may minimize the risk of CaOx urolith formation in dogs.

Also, vitamin E has been show to reduce the ability of calcium oxalate to crystalize in the the kidneys.  Vitamin B-6 deficiencies  also cause blood oxalate to increase.

Keep in mind there are also medications, such as diuretics, that increase the risk of oxalate stone formation.  Just something to keep in mind for future reference.  As well, you should not supplement with vitamin C or feed foods containing soy.

Where does this leave you?  I would recommend feeding canned food only and consider brands like Evo, Nature's Variety, Organics and Fromm.  All do have canned foods with relatively high meat and fat content.  I would  feed one of these and give her vitamin E and B-6 according to her weight.

Best of luck and feel free to contact me if you need any further help.

Gail E. Vigneault