Food Related Urinary Issues

[A.J.]

Thanx for all this info!  I should send it to Cana's vet!  Here he is trying to get me to switch from Innova to SD, Iam's or Eukanuba! 

[Lindsay- Bernie's Mom]

When Bernie had all of his bladder issues, that resulted in him blocking and them finding 100+ b.b. sized crystals in his bladder the first thing every vet recommended was to get him on Prescription Diet U/D (for urinary problems). Though his crystals were bilirubin crystals and not CaOX or Struvites. That food is almost 100% grains. I didn't want to feed him that trash, and I had him on Nutro previously (which he did well on, physically) so I changed him to a premium brand, and I keep a close eye on him. I also encourage him to drink as much water as possible.

Is what I am doing the best? I don't know. But I know that he is in the best shape and coat he's ever been in, his poops are perfect and he hasn't had any problems with his hip in months. His urine seems normal- but I haven't had them check him for crystals recently.

Thanks for the good journal articles, girls!! Keep up the good work 

[Ingrid]

Lindsay,  I came across some abstracts dealing with perscription diets to aid is dissolution of crystals....I need to go back and see if they said anything about prevention of new ones forming too. I'll get them posted soon.

Layne, you saw what happened with my first homemade diet....let's not go there for a few months. 

Anway, Ingrid - I appreciate knowing there is another Dog Addict as deep into the geeky & obsessive canine nutrition research as I 

Obsessive is my middle name! 

[LoveNewfies]

Sure it has grains in it, but it's whole grains/good grains  

Ingrid, don't make me pull a Mo on you a poke you in the eye!  This discussion is very, very good. I have enjoyed reading it more than once to say the least.

If folks will spend this much time and attention learning about dog nutrition and so forth regarding commercial/dry/canned foods, why won't they just jump on the band wagon to make a home made diet?

Yes, another shameless plug for home feeding.....

You go, Layne 

I'm glad you've enjoyed the reading - at the very least, it certainly brings to light another problem that can be hindered, and/or caused and by improper diet - and, that for many, a proper diet could quite likely resolve some urinary problems.