dog on science diet c/d

Question
I have a 7 yr schnauzer mix spayed female that was dignosed with struvite chrystals.  She was put on science diet c/d.  Rechecked 1 month later and everything was normal.  Still on c/d.  my concern is that she is gaining weight badly.  I give her a very small amount of food and have been giving her string beans and carrots as fillers.  I cannot reduce her food amount anymore. One vet said to put her on w/d and the other vet said absolutely not that the w/d could put her back to the way she was. Any suggestions?

My other schnauzer has calcium oxalate crystals.  Culture was neg.  Ultrasound showed possible small stone in the kidney or blood clot that should probably dissolve. To recheck in one month. I feed her Purina One Healthy Weight. I realize that diet cannot help with the type of crystals that she has, but I was wondering if there is a food that would be better for her to be on.  I also have another schnauzer that , knock on wood, isn't having issues, so I didn't know if these two would benifit from another type of food for preventive. Thank you for any suggestions that you may offer.

Answer
Hi Susan
Not to question your vet but I don't understand the C/D for stryvute crystals. It has nothing whatsoever to do with diet. That's a myth and one that most vets now know isn't true. Second factor being that IMO., science diet as a food for ANY reason , sucks. As does Purian One. Both are full of fillers. additives. and carcinogens. You didn't mention antibiotics at all, my third reason for confusion. Since struvite crystals are caused from a urinary tract infection and not from diet. I'm wondering what your vet is treating her with? Without antibiotics this is simply NOT going to go away. It is an infection. There is a type of struvite crystals called sterile struvite that is not caused from an infection but the majority of the time this is not the case. Without a culture there is no way your vet could be positive even if no bacteria showed up on the scope. Bottom line is if your vet did NOT do a culture go to a different vet who WILL and go now. If he DID do a culture then the diet change is a good and necessary thing but having your dog fat is NOT good.http://vettechs.blogspot.com/2005/05/so-your-dog-has-struvites.html
Check out the above website for more websites and some enlightenment. Also., take your dog OFF science diet and Purina one immediately (both dogs). My opinion is that you simply cannot purchase a dog food that is ph balanced enough for dogs with these problems. Barf or even a food you cook yourself is much better.
Check out the below website for ingredients and instructions for a home made diet that WILL help your dogs
http://www.2ndchance.info/homemadediets.htm
Blessings,
Cindi