Struvite Crystals -- Cranberry Juice

[107barney]

Teddy has been diagnosed with tiny struvite crystals in his bladder. He is unable to eat the can of S/D by Hills (he puked it right up). So, for now, we are waiting to talk to the vet nutritionist about his diet. In the meanwhile our vet wants him to have cranberry juice.

I went to whole foods and bought the natural stuff and he turned his button nose up at it. I tried the ocean spray brand and he likes both the regular cranberry and the cranapple.

My question is: should i be worried about the sugar? He just wont drink without the better brand.

Any help or thoughts would be appreciated.

[megansmomma]

LadyJane has had a few YHR pups that have had crystal issues. She might be able to give you a little insight about diet. I wonder if you could give cranberries instead of juice?

[107barney]

I wonder if the cranberries would help with the straining to urinate that Theo is experiencing. He pees, then he tries to go again. It's so frustrating.

[Ladymom]

It would be impossible to get him to drink as much cranberry juice as he would need to see a benefit. A powdered cranberry supplement is much more practical.

Studies indicate sixteen ounces of cranberry juice need to be consumed to obtain the same dosage as a single concentrated cranberry pill.

Cranberry supplements and their use to treat urinary tract infections - by CD Gozzi - Helium

I prefer supplements specifically for dogs so I know the dosage is correct. Cranberry Relief is excellent.

Amazon.com: NaturVet Cranberry Relief 50 grams:...


Cranberry Relief: Kidney Medication for Dogs & Cats - 1800PetMeds


Cranberry Relief

[107barney]

Thanks Ladymom, I'll ask my vet about these items. I'm not sure if she just wanted him to have more fluids or if she was trying to see a benefit from the cranberry so I should ask about that. She did put him on metacam for bladder inflammation. We are still working on figuring all the pieces of the puzzle. This has been going on since I got him as a young pup and we've ruled out UTI. He seems to be straining less since the metacam and the juice and he's not in discomfort but it's not normal.

Originally Posted by Ladymom

It would be impossible to get him to drink as much cranberry juice as he would need to see a benefit. A powdered cranberry supplement is much more practical.

Studies indicate sixteen ounces of cranberry juice need to be consumed to obtain the same dosage as a single concentrated cranberry pill.

Cranberry supplements and their use to treat urinary tract infections - by CD Gozzi - Helium

I prefer supplements specifically for dogs so I know the dosage is correct. Cranberry Relief is excellent.

Amazon.com: NaturVet Cranberry Relief 50 grams: Kitchen & Dining



Cranberry Relief: Kidney Medication for Dogs & Cats - 1800PetMeds


Cranberry Relief

[Ladymom]

Has he has a bile acids test? All Yorkie puppies should have one done at around 5 months old since liver shunts are so common in the breed. Urinary tract problems - infections, crystals and stones - can be symptoms. I'd get one done to rule it out.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

Has he has a bile acids test? All Yorkie puppies should have one done at around 5 months old since liver shunts are so common in the breed. Urinary tract problems - infections, crystals and stones - can be symptoms. I'd get one done to rule it out.

Yes, he had BA tests at age 10 months. He was less than 1 preprandial and 9.3 postprandial so we are really normal in the world of the liver thankfully. All other blood work is within normal limits. His u/s just showed no abnormalities in development, just tiny struvite crystals.

[kjc]

Bile Acid Tests should be repeated every couple of years as liver problems can develop at any age.... may want to have a discussion with your vet about that too while you're there ....

[107barney]

Originally Posted by kjc

Bile Acid Tests should be repeated every couple of years as liver problems can develop at any age.... may want to have a discussion with your vet about that too while you're there ....

this has already been ruled out. He has no liver issues.
Just urinary issues.

[kjc]

Originally Posted by 107barney

this has already been ruled out. He has no liver issues.
Just urinary issues.

Sorry, can't tell how old he is by looking at your profile page. How old is he now?

Also, may be helpful to try a similar diet from a different manufacturer, but check with your vet first, if they only carry Hill's, they could write a prescription for it....

[TLC]

I thought Citrus was not good for dogs with crystals and stones

Maybe look into Azodyl - folks on the liver group give this daily (1/4 to 1/3 of a capsule daily), quite a few have had great success in treating the crystals.

I actually have it for Roxy, cause I am not sure if she has a "marking" problem or a bladder problem.

Anyway, Azodyl is like a probiotic. Maybe look it up and discuss with your Vet

[kjc]

Originally Posted by 107barney

Thanks Ladymom, I'll ask my vet about these items. I'm not sure if she just wanted him to have more fluids or if she was trying to see a benefit from the cranberry so I should ask about that. She did put him on metacam for bladder inflammation. We are still working on figuring all the pieces of the puzzle. This has been going on since I got him as a young pup and we've ruled out UTI. He seems to be straining less since the metacam and the juice and he's not in discomfort but it's not normal.

Was a Culture and Sensitivity done to rule out UTI?


FYI:

From: Best Way - Raw Meat Diet to Prevent Crystals in Dogs Urine | eHow.com

Why Struvite Crystals Form Struvite crystals are made of magnesium ammonium phosphate. They most frequently form due to a bladder infection, which is often influenced by poor nutrition. Bacteria increase the pH level of the dog's urine, causing magnesium, ammonium or phosphate present in the urine to react with it and form struvite crystals.

There also is a likely genetic component to crystal formation. Certain breeds, including Dalmatians, have a much higher risk of forming crystals.

In all cases, a poor diet may contribute to struvite crystals in the urine. Poor-quality proteins that are hard to digest strain the urinary system by forcing the kidneys and bladder to flush excessive waste. Alkaline foods that promote alkaline urine can also help to cause struvite crystals. In addition, excess dietary magnesium added to processed foods can increase the likelihood of crystal formation.

Warnings If your dog shows symptoms of urinary crystals, do not try to treat the condition with diet changes only. A veterinarian will need to culture the urine for bacteria and prescribe an antibiotic to kill the bacteria present. Only when the active bladder infection has been resolved can a raw meat diet start actively preventing further crystal formation.

Other question you asked about sugar in Cranberry juice:

Cranberry juice can also be included in a diet designed to prevent struvite crystals. Avoid brands that add large amounts of sugar, which would be more detrimental to a dog's health than simply not drinking any cranberry juice. Dogs should not eat processed sugars.


Also, the Metacam make make him feel better bc it relieves the inflammation, but the cause of the crystal formation needs to be found, before he ends up with permanent Kidney damage or if the crystals/stones block his urethra, he could die.

[kjc]

Originally Posted by TLC

I thought Citrus was not good for dogs with crystals and stones

Maybe look into Azodyl - folks on the liver group give this daily (1/4 to 1/3 of a capsule daily), quite a few have had great success in treating the crystals.

I actually have it for Roxy, cause I am not sure if she has a "marking" problem or a bladder problem.

Anyway, Azodyl is like a probiotic. Maybe look it up and discuss with your Vet

Vitamin C is sometimes used as a urine acidifier for dogs with crystals/stones.

[TLC]

Originally Posted by kjc

Vitamin C is sometimes used as a urine acidifier for dogs with crystals/stones.

really I thought citrus contributed to it

[107barney]

Yes we've done cultures, they didn't grow anything. We are trying to have the vet nutritionist provide input in the diet to dissolve the crystals but she was on vacation so that will be happening this week. His ultrasound showed very tiny crystals so unlikely he will have an obstruction at this time.

He has shown some improvement on the cranberry juice and metacam but not as much a we had hoped.

As for the diets, they are cans of crap and really high fat. I'm not comfortable with the diets after just having a near death with pancreatitis with the other dog. I tried it one night and he threw up and he did not tolerate the diet. All the other struvite diet are similar in high level of garbage fats. I will do it only with the blessing and oversight of the specialist.

In the meanwhile I want to keep him comfy and the cranberry has sugar in it and I don't like pumping my dogs with sugar.

I'm frustrated!