Dog Community

Help!! Feeding a Dalmatian that has had bladder stones

DKG

Posted : 11/10/2011 8:26:57 PM

I need help with a food for my dalmatian that has just had surgery for bladder stones. He is currently on Purina Rx DCO diet which I hate. I have read so much online that I'm not sure if I need a low purine diet or a low protein diet. My doctor says low protein but I've read low pruine. I am very picky about what I feed him and want to go as natural as I can. I am not discipline enough to go to a raw diet. He was on Nutro Natural Choice. I have searched a low purine diet for dalmatians online and Flint River Ranch food comes up everytime. I am really considering going to that. Has anyone tried it? I have started floating his food and giving him distilled water. Please help with any info anyone can give.

Thanks

Dana and Louis

DougB

Posted : 11/11/2011 12:09:18 AM

I am not a vet. I do not portray one on TV. There are some very knowledgeable people on this forum, but you are looking for some advice on what could be a serious medical decision. I think you would be better served by calling your vet and discussing the problem with someone who has actually seen your dog. If your vet doesn't understand the dietary requirements of a Dalmation, get a referral to a vet who does.

DKG

Posted : 11/11/2011 6:01:07 AM

I'm not look for medical advice. I just was thinking there maybe other dalmatian owners out there that have gone through stones and wondering what they feed their dal and if anyone has heard of or fed Flint River Ranch food. All I want is a good quality food that is low in purines. I got a doctor if I want medical advice. Thanks

tzu_mom

Posted : 11/11/2011 8:33:05 AM

This may be helpful for you: http://www.dogaware.com/articles/wdjotherstones.html#purinediet

You may want to consider going with a home-cooked diet for this condition. A consult with a canine nutritionist would be the route I would go if this were my dog. A few that come to mind are Monica Segal: http://www.monicasegal.com/ or Sabine Contreras http://www.betterdogcare.com/

jessies_mom

Posted : 11/11/2011 10:41:33 AM

DKG
I'm not look for medical advice. I just was thinking there maybe other dalmatian owners out there that have gone through stones and wondering what they feed their dal and if anyone has heard of or fed Flint River Ranch food. All I want is a good quality food that is low in purines. I got a doctor if I want medical advice.

Hi DKG and welcome to the forum. Actually, you are looking for medical advice because you're looking for a diet to treat your dog's medical condition; make sense? The links that tzu_mom posted are excellent.

Jewlieee

Posted : 11/11/2011 4:07:57 PM

Heres my 2 cents, which isnt worth much

Like you, i am skeptical of the rx foods. My husky did not have bladder stones but she had some serious digestive issues in her later years. I researched and researched until i was blue in the face in order to find something else to feed her besides the rx food with crappy ingreds. After all the stress worry trial and erros i came to realize the rx food was the best option for her condition. The bottom line was that it worked. no matter how much i hated it, i could not deny the fact that it worked. Ultimately, that is all that matters.

DKG

Posted : 11/11/2011 6:01:09 PM

Thank you Jewlieee! Blue in the face is how I feel now. I'm at the point that might be what I have to settle for.

Jewlieee

Posted : 11/11/2011 6:32:13 PM

The thing is that that stones arent cheap to fix, which im sure you know already! And dogs that get them seem to be prone to them throughout their lives. The rx food certainly won't harm your dog in any way. It really comes down to your own misgivings about the ingredients. Believe me, i share your concerns but it is not worth the risk imo, to the dog or your wallet, to play around with food at this point. If i were in your shoes, i would keep the dog on the rx food for a good 6 months to a year then reevaluate.

erica1989

Posted : 11/15/2011 12:29:58 AM

I agree with Julie on this. They may not LOOK like the best foods- but they DO work, and it may be better for the pet. You have to look passed the ingredients, and more at the benefit to the pet.