Struvite Crystals and Dog Food Alternatives

[Nikki Milonas]

Ruby had a UTI a few months ago and when her urine was tested the vet found struvite crystals.  I was told to put her on Royal Canine for life and the UTI was treated with antibiotics.  After looking at the ingredients of RC I was certain their was something better out there.  I did a lot of research on dog food and tried to find a food low in phosphorous and magnesium.  I ended up with the Honest Kitchen.

 

A month went by and I had her urine retested.  She still had crystals.  The vet and I discussed options and we decided to keep her on the HK but add an acidifier supplement and retest a month later.  A week went by and she ended up blood in her urine and was having a hard time going.  We took her to the E/R and the urine sample showed crystals and another UTI.  So now I have switched to RC and will keep her on that until the crystals are completely cleared up.

 

Karen, here is the link to the ingredient analysis of RC S/O.  When I asked my vet about what to look for, she said to keep the Magnesium at .05% and the Phosphorous at 50% there-abouts.  It was impossible to find dog food with this - except the HK when hydrated.  But the vet I went to yesterday said there is more to in regards to the minerals. 

 

Thanks for your help.

 

Nikki

[Nikki Milonas]

Oops, forgot the link. Sorry. Here it is!

http://www.royalcanin.us/adx/aspx/adxGetMedia.aspx?DocID=134,293,12...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This is going to be a tough one. The RC analysis gives the percentages for 1000 k/cals, which will be hard to calculate from the normal mineral analysis info on most dog foods. I see that the RC formula is very low in protein, too. It's going to take some time to research this.
Go with the vet's advice in the meantime, stay on the RC and meds until everything is cleared up. Try to increase her water intake, too.
Did the vet give you any explanation on what causes this in the first place?

[Nikki Milonas]

Funny you mention that. I was just calculating numbers from what I've been feeding her. There is a big difference in chloride. Its much higher in the RC - 5.9 to .87. Same with manganese and zinc. Its very complicated like you said.

That is my plan to keep her on this food until everything clears up. She is only 8 mo and I REALLY do not want to feed her RC forever. As most would agree, it isn't "good" food.

I guess crystals can be formed by the dog not processing phosphorous and magnesium. The vet said this is common because most dog foods overprocess their food - leaching out the minerals and then add them back in. Which...is why I switched to a dehydrated, unprocessed food.

Not drinking water can also contribute. I've been adding extra water in her food because she isn't a big drinker on her own. UTI's can also contribute. Could be possible the original UTI wasn't cleared up?? But that is unlikely because I had her urine retested a month later and it was clear of bacteria.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yep, one of the links below (the 2nd) points to the original infection not being cleared up as the reason for continuing problems.
The high sodium chloide levels are deliberate, to keep the dog thirsty and drinking more water.
The Rc is really a terrible food, and lends itself to the development of pancreatitis, bloat, and other health problems down the line. I really feel that if we can get this infection cleared up and Ruby's urininary tract healthy, we can go with another food. The third link below suggests one of Fromm's fish formulas.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here's a link that explains the development of struvite bladder stones; it helps explain why struvite crystals are a problem.
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_canine_struvite_bladder_stones...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Another link, not sure of the scientific reliability of this one, but it also helps us understand the issues.
http://vettechs.blogspot.com/2005/05/so-your-dog-has-struvites.html

[Nikki Milonas]

Thanks. I'll take a look at both of them.

[Nikki Milonas]

Very helpful links. I feel much more at ease with this whole thing. I bet her original UTI wasn't gone or maybe she has another one. I hear female pups get them more. In any regards, I will get her through the anti-biotics, keep her on the RC SO and then go see a recommended vet for a urine culture/sensitivity and nutritional consultation.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

And one more discussing diet:
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Dog-Food-Canine-3799/2009/2/Dog-Struvite...

[Tammy & Gracie]

Not a nutritionist but can you add a little something to her water to get her to drink more? Like a little herbal tea of some sort? Maybe cranberry or something tasty?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The Rx food will do that for now, it has increased sodium content. I would not add herbs, they may increase or decrease absorption of some of the minerals. Cranberries in any form might help.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

According to the links, the Hills formula can only be used for a limited time. The RC that Nikki is using is supposed to be safer for long term use, but yuck!
Lots of FG members have had success giving their dogs dried cranberries in plain (NOT vanilla) yogurt. Assuming that yogurt is permitted, that might be an idea.