Alright Struvite Crystals...

[Chelsea and Bailey]

Thanks for all the advice to join the food group and problem solve with you guys.  My problem is struvite crystal, Bailey is 11 1/2 weeks and has had them since we got her. She was on Purina, changed to TOTW fish and then vet recommended Hills, which just started changing to last night.. well after finding out that was the wrong choice I would LOVE to know what is good. Ive tried searching the site and resorted to Google which has told me conflicting things already.  Some say wet food, some say raw food, some say very low protein (like Hills) and some said no grains. UGH!

 

I read a forum on orijen for urinary health, a couple people said that was helpful, but still I am not convinced. If TOTW didnt help, then I'm not sure what will?

[Chelsea and Bailey]

I know!! I thought it was alot of transitioning too, however, there is a really cool petmart here that give out tons of information on food and they say to start giving different food early so they arent picky eaters, all of their dogs eat different food at each meal. Anyways off topic. She was the one that recommended to change the food.  Bailey was given antibiotics at 9 1/2ish weeks for what we thought was a UTI, when I went back yesterday they did not kill all the crystals, however WBC count was normal(meaning infection was gone). So she stated that we need to get the crystals under control, and that could be done by changing food. Bailey was already 100% transitioned onto TOTW for at least a week, and that should have cleared the crystals up quickly (so I was told).  Because TOTW has so many minerals the vet thought a certain type might be aggravating her bladder, which is why she wanted the switch.

 

She did say its a possibility of other anatomical problems (which I PRAY are not there), but thought before doing drastic measures and invasive procedures we should try this first.

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

Hi Chelsea!  Struvite crystals are the result of the urine ph being too alkaline, while oxalate is too acidic.  (here is some good info. http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_canine_struvite_bladder_stones...).  It would seem logical following of course the medications needed for the infection that diet can influence the ph in general.  As you know some foods are more alkaline and some more acidic thought it does get a little more complicated because in some instances the food may be acidic but the result in the body because of the digestive process could result in more alkalinity.  Once you get her under control if it is a repeat problem you can pick up ph strips and periodically run one in her urine, I know of a few people who have been able to head off a problem by catching it with a change before it got too extreme when the saw it going one way or the other. 

[Chelsea and Bailey]

Im wondering how you can tell what foods are alkaline or acidic, and if you have any recommendations of the types of foods people use for this type of problem, besides Hills? I am reading Vit. C is good to add to diet as it increases acidity.  If I did cranberry capsules and Vit.C tabs.. would that be too much? 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I would start with Cranberry capsules, which help keep bacteria from adhering to the bladder walls. Antiobiotics do not treat crystals per se nor can you kill them since they are not living things. The pH of the blood is very tightly controlled and you should not attempt to change it but you would be unsuccessful anyway, I'd hope. We have had this sort of discussion before, but the search engine appears to be partially not working for a change. I would not worry about the PH of foods, either.

[Linda and Murphy]

Struvite crystals (also known as triple phosphate) can only precipitate out at an alkaline pH.

Certain bacteria break down urea in the urine to ammonia (urease positive bacteria) thereby increasing the pH of the urine and increasing precipitation of  struvite crystals. (Staph, Klebsiellla, Pseudomonas)

[F, Calla & Luca]

You beat me to it. See the article below.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Can you give us any of the nutritional analysis from the Hills diet you started last night?  This can help us find something that might have some similar values (such as sodium, omega 3s, etc...).

 

When my chihuahua was diagnosed with kidney issues (slightly related to your Bailey's crystal issues), vet told us to go on Hill's K/D.  With the help of the food group, I was able to determine the best HIGH-QUALITY food that would help.  My vet said to look for things low in sodium and phosphorous. Those are hardest on the kidneys.  Now we are a totally different case, but I want you to know that over a year after this diagnosis my 7 -year old guy has fairly normal kidney values now.  Due to the food.

 

Something I think you should start doing immediately is adding a bit of water to Bailey's food.  Water helps cleanse the kidneys and urinary system.  Hydration is KEY.

 

Post the Hills info and we will all help you get started.

[Chelsea and Bailey]

http://www.hillspet.com/products/sd-canine-puppy-large-breed-dry.html

 

This is very similar...

 

I am wondering, i just checked TOTW ingredients and it didnt even have phosphorus on there.. does that mean it doesnt have it?

 

Between TOTW and HIlls they both have the same moisture but TOTW has lower protein, higher fat, no sodium content

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Struvite crystals are common in many breeds, including Labrador retrievers, and are not really an issue for concern unless there are recurrent infections or struvite stones develop. Diet does not have as much affect on the formation of struvite crystals as you might think. In addition to having a genetic component, it seems to have more to do with bacterial issues, from what I can figure out.
There does some to be evidence that grains do contribute to the development of struvite crystals, but I would have to find the source of that information to be sure it's accurate. I can understand your confusion, as i have tried to research this myself in the past and have found lots of conflicting information.
One thing that does seem to be clear is that water consumption is very important. Moisture in the diet in general seems to help. So I would do everything possible to make sure Bailey is drinking lots of water. Canned food may help too, since the moisture content is much higher than dry food.
Food doesn't have as much affect on the Ph of urine as you might think, from what I can tell.
I personally would continue with the TOTW, perhaps adding some canned food to her meals, and increase her water consumption by any means you can.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I agree 100%.  Add water to the food. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good hydration is essential!!! Sometimes people restrict fluids after certain times with pups and I have never thought this was a good idea.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Here is a good explanation.

http://vettechs.blogspot.com/2005/05/so-your-dog-has-struvites.html