Crystals in urine

Petlovr

My vet has told me that my 1 1/2 yr old has crystals in her urine and wants me to buy dog food from them. Is that really going to help or do they just want more money? Also does anyone have a dog that leaks urine ? My vet put her on Proin, and he said IF this works she'll have to be on it for the rest of her life. I just hate the thought of having to give her this medication, so many side effects...

Fairhaven

Urolithiasis is a disease caused by the presence and effects of uroliths (stones) or claculi or excessive amounts of crystals in the urinary tract. The disease is referred to by many names, including cystitis, urethritis, urinary calculi, bladder stones, or kidney stones. As in humans, these stones and crystals can form anywhere in the urinary tract of the dog, including the kidney, urethra, or most commonly, the bladder. These crystals or stones irritate the lining of the urinary tract, causing changes in the lining, blood in the urine, and often pain. In some cases the crystals or stones will block or partially block the flow or urine, making urination painful or impossible. Crystaluria denotes the presence of crystals in the urine. Crystals form when minerals bind together. The bound crystals are not as soluble as the unbound form and may result in mineral deposits, much like the deposits commonly found in a teapot or coffee maker. Special diets work by reducing the mineral building blocks or urinary stones in the urine. These diets affect the urine pH and increase urination to help flush the urinary tract. To completely dissolve the stones takes 4-16 weeks, depending on the size and number of stones present. I suggest you follow your vet's advice. The alternative would be surgery which is much more expensive and more invasive on the dogs part.

KDTurngren

Our newly acquired 4 yr old 45lb dog just returned from vet - with urinary tract crystals & is now on a 2-month diet of Hill's Prescription Diet s/d canned food. Our vet suggested that a large percentage of dogs within a 50 mile radius of us have this same problem. She believes the local water supply may be a major contributor. After moving here about 2 years ago, I noticed strange heavy deposits in the bird baths and in the outside water dish (all filled from tap water). I never had this where we used to live. You may try giving your pet only bottled water along with the prescribed food. Also - ask your vet if you can eventually switch to a diet of cooked rice with some cooked mixed vegetables (no onions or seasonings). Our other dog has been on a diet of rice and vegetables with a small amount of chicken or high quality lamb/rice dry food and is doing very well. We are hoping we can eventually switch our new dog with the urinary tract problem to the rice/vegetable diet. One last suggestion from a local vet was add cranberry juice to your pet's water and to the food - as much as the pet can tolerate. Check with your vet and follow their direction. Good luck!

kimber039

My dog was just diagnosed today with having crystals and she has to go on expensive food from the vets place in which they are not trying to get you with money, they really are helping your dog. I know because I work at a animal hospital. I have to bring my dog back to get ex-ray to see if stones has developed and if so, then she has to have surgery to have them removed. But she has to go on the diet food for the rest of her life. Wish you the best and your pet.

MegaMuttMom

Not every dog who has crystals needs to go on a prescription diet. My dog had struvite crystals with no symptoms. I got a second opinion when my vet said to put my dog on a prescription diet for the rest of his life. Here is a link you can read:
http://www.b-naturals.com/newsletter...ones-crystals/

If the vet I got a second opinion from said I had to a special food, this is one I was going to look into. A lot of the prescription foods have ingredients (like corn) that I don't want to feed my dog.

http://www.wysong.net/PDFs/struvatrol.pdf

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kimber039

I understand that not every dog needs to go on diet food but if a Vet tells us our dogs should or have to, then obviously our dogs are the ones. I know and trust my vet and I do what she tells me I should. I was saying the vet is not gonna lie to get money off a food bag.

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