Foods low in purine???

[Joyce (Casey & Cody's mom)]

Having multiple dogs is SO much fun, and can also be so challenging! In addition to our guy with chronic pancreatitis, we have a wee female dachshund just diagnosed with a huge bladder stone. She is scheduled for surgery on Friday. Totally amazing that she gave no indication, then a couple of days ago, I noticed that she was in a "urinating position" much longer than normal. A few hours later, she peed in the house. I immediately thought she had a bladder infection, so took her to the vet. No bladder infection, but he felt a stone in her bladder. He is now recommending a diet low in purines. I haven't even begun to research this yet - just thought someone would know off-hand if there are any good foods out there. He knows that I am not going to feed any of that chemical soup crap that he sells, so didn't even try! (Ha) we feed from the Fromm Family line, but are restricted to the ones low in fat because of our guy with pancreatitis. Doodle puppies are on a different food - puppy food, so we may end up with another food specific for Phoebe, too.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The bad news is, finding a diet low in purines for a dog is going to be pretty rough, since purines are found in the cells of almost all animals and plants. http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=51

The good news is that you probably don't have to worry about purines, at least not until the stone is removed and tested (biopsied?), because there are several different kinds of bladder stones, and diet for each is different. With oxalate stones, diet plays no role at all. 

Here is my comment from another recent discussion on this subject, with links to the information:

"..research has now shown that low protein diets are not helpful for bladder or kidney issues and may even be harmful. It's the type of protein, not the amount, that may contribute to the formation of stones.

A little research on my part turned up the information that there are also several different types of bladder stones that can form, and the diet and treatment for each varies. http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/13_4/features/Detecting-Uri...

http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/bladder-urethral-stones-dogs-various-typ...

Oxalate stones are not affected by diet. http://www.2ndchance.info/oxalatedog.htm "

Read more here: http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/healthandmedicalissues/forum/topi...

At any rate, the foods highest in purines are brewer's yeast, organ meats and sardines, so avoiding those should be fairly easy. But I would wait until they know what kind of stone this is before planning a dietary change. 

I hope the surgery goes well, Joyce. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agree with Karen. The assumption that this stone has uric acid crystals is a bit of a jump I think but you can ask for the stone to be examined. A gross and microscopic exam of the stone should help without complex analysis. At any rate here is a good explanation of purines.

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=51

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

LOL, GMTA once again. That's the same link I posted above! 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Whoops, missed that : )

[Joyce (Casey & Cody's mom)]

Thanks for the detailed information and replies. I know it is a bit of a jump to go straight to the assumption that it is a uric acid crystal stone, but we are basing this on the radiolucency of the stone, her urine pH, and history of these types of stones in her mother and one sibling.  Naturally, we will have patho done on the stone prior to making any dietary changes. I just wanted to be a little proactive in case that is the diagnosis.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good thinking. And the preliminary evidence does make this more likely.