bladder stones & pancreatitis

Question
QUESTION: I have a 9 year old male mini schnauzer. He had a severe case of pancreatitis at age 4 when he got into cat food. Since then he has had two minor episodes of pancreatitis. These stopped when we started him on Hill's r/d. Two weeks ago he had surgery of bladder stones. lab results re: type of stone are not back yet. Our vet has recommended changing diet to s.o. for his stones. But he seems to be having difficulty - ears back, head arched, one episode of vomiting. Can you recommend a diet for both conditions?

ANSWER: I need clarification. Are you saying your dog was put on Royal Canin Urinary SO 13 or did you mean Science Diet S/D?

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

QUESTION: Royal Canin Urinary SO 13

Answer
Obviously 13% fat is too high for your dog to tolerate, so you need to take him off of it immediately and talk to your veterinarian about this. I would put him back on the Hill's r/d since he did not have a problem with that, and then wait and see what type of stones he had as that will determine what the next course of action should be.

Calcium oxylate stones can be hereditary, and they can be affected by diet and supplements.

Struvite stones are caused by bladder infections and require no change in diet. A dog with struvite stones should have a urinalysis done every six months.

He should be put on antibiotics for at least three weeks.

Whatever diet your dog is put on, the fat level should be *very* low... like no higher that 8%, and lower if you can find it. Also, put plenty of water in his kibble as you want him to drink lots of water to flush any crystals if he is forming those.

Here is more information on bladder stones:
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_bladder_stones.html