dog has struvite crystals in his urine...

    • Bronze

    dog has struvite crystals in his urine...

     So, my 1 1/2 yr old pitbull has struvite crystals in his urine. He's eating hill's s/d for 30 days and taking Amoxi for 14. He's still hungry, and I,m wondering if theres something else I can give him, like chicken, with his food, that will not be bad for his condition??? He's 50 lbs and eating one can of the s/d with 3/4 cup water mixed in in the a.m. and one in the p.m. I will give him more if thats my only option, but its expensive! ($30 for 6 days worth of food!)

    • Gold Top Dog

    Honestly, as I mentioned in your other thread it really would be best for you to hang out either on Monica Segal's board (or her Yahoo group) or on Mordanna's board simply so you can learn more about the condition.  You may simply need to acidify your dog's diet a bit. 

     Even a consult with Monica is only about 2 weeks worth of the diet you're using -- now home cooking isn't going to be cheap.  But even hanging out on her Yahoo board will help you.

    Struvite crystals are not horrible.  Really they aren't.  They are FAR FAR easier to cope with than oxylate crystals.  (those usually can't be prevented easily and they are genetic more than dietary)

    Treats really shouldn't be a problem either -- not unless there are more urinary problems than the vet has described to you.

    • Gold Top Dog

    I'll add that if you have them culture the urine to find out what antibiotic she needs to be on--they can get her on the right drug for the right bacteria.  And, she might need an extended dose.  Then a re-check to make sure the infection is gone. But, once they clear the infection normally the struvites aren't an issue. 

    Willow never had to stay on any particular food once the infection was gone.