Urine problems and diet change

[linz06]

We took Layla in this morning because of mucus in her urine. The vet took samples and found a bunch of crystals in her urine, and super high acidity. She said we can not afford to let Layla get bladder or kidney stones, because she does not want to operate on her bladder. There's no way we could express her bladder with stitches in it. She told us we need to switch her food ASAP and gave us Medi-Cal Urinary SO.

Layla was on Medi-Cal Hypoallergenic when I first got her as a pup and didn't know much about foods, but the vet recommended it, and of course I bought it from the vet (Medi-Cal is owned by Royal Canin, but they sell exclusively through veterinary clinics). Now I know this is not the best food, but of course right now we need to make a switch so we got a bag while we were there.

Here is information on the food:

http://www.royalcanin.ca/index.php/V...-Small-Dog-Dry

We are going to use this bag up, but I was wondering if there might be a better quality food out there that will help with urine problems. We know Layla has food allergies, but we don't know exactly to what. We try to keep corn and grains out of her diet as much as possible. She used to chew her back feet, although she can't feel them now, but she will chew her front feet every so often too until they are red and swollen between the pads (although it has been awhile since that has happened).

I'm not sure where to go from here. We will see how she does on this food, but I am hoping someone can give suggestions for other options to look into as well!

[Cherie6446]

I'm sorry about Layla's problem. When my Gina had crystals in her urine I was told to feed her California Natural. I did and she recovered by her recheck appointment 3 weeks later.
Good luck.

[107barney]

I'd stick with your vet's advice.

[ladyjane]

My vet put Gabby on Urinary SO after her urine showed crystals. No more crystals since! I give her the canned and mix water in it so that she gets extra water.


I have another pup in my home who had two surgeries for bladder stones. He was put on Urinary SO two years ago and has not had another occurrence of stones!!

It is not a bad food if it keeps a pup from being ill! So many people give Hills, Purina and Royal Canin RX foods such a bad rap...they save dogs' lives! I have had many, many pups in my home over the years who did amazingly well on those foods.

[Ringo1]

Awww ~ poor Layla. I agree with others - I would listen to the Vet on this one. Sounds like you really DO NOT want her to get a kidney or bladder stone.

Lucy just had bladder surgery herself. We're waiting on the results to come back to see what the stones were made of and then the vet will probably suggest a diet change. I certainly don't want her to have another surgery so as long as I can get her to eat it - we'll feed whatever we have to.

[linz06]

Thanks guys. I was just wondering if there were other options in case this does make her allergies flare up again. We'll just see how she does for now! Luckily she LOVES the food. She had it for the first time last night and she gobbled up the whole bowl immediately!

[Ringo1]

It's good she likes it! I'll post which food my vet rec ommends - once I find out!

Hoping Lucy likes hers. I just hit on a food she likes this past year and now I guess we'll have to change . .

[linz06]

Originally Posted by Ringo1

It's good she likes it! I'll post which food my vet rec ommends - once I find out!

Hoping Lucy likes hers. I just hit on a food she likes this past year and now I guess we'll have to change . .

Sorry to hear about Lucy. I hope she likes her new food too!!!

[Ringo1]

Well the vet just put Lucy on Royal Canin SO for her bladder stones which turned out to be struvite stones.

She had a lot of infection so she will be on another round of antibiotics. They are thinking the stones might have formed from the infection but they aren't sure.

I sure hope she likes this food well enough to eat it. Also, no more putting Wellness canned Chicken on her dry food. She's so picky . . . fingers crossed.

[ladyjane]

My two pups love it! I have them on the canned and add water to it, but they don't have a lot of teeth!

[linz06]

Layla eats her food like candy. She can't get enough.

The vet warned us that it would make her drink more. Yesterday I stayed home because I was sick, but today I was back at work. When we got home after work this evening, her bladder had overflowed and she leaked all over the floor. That's really bad for her bladder.

Now something needs to change again. We have been through putting up posters around town, putting ads online for someone to take care of her during the day. We'll have someone interested and after a couple of days or a week, they let us know they will not be coming the next day because they don't want to do it anymore. We just can't rely on other people. I switched jobs to have more flexible hours so I can get home an hour sooner than I did before, but I can't flex it any more than that and I don't live in the same town I work in.

I feel so defeated. We are trying to do everything for her and I love her so much and it feels like just when I think things are going to be okay, we get slammed with another hurdle. I wish that none of this had to happen to her.

I'm not sure where to turn next. I guess tomorrow we have to call the vet and see how much she will charge to board Layla there every day so she can express her, and we can see if we can afford it. I am just so upset.

[ladyjane]

I am so sorry Lindsey. I wish we lived close...I would be happy to help out with Layla. She could play with Gabby. I know how difficult it is....whenever I go somewhere, I usually take Gabby with me. It is easy to have my son care for my other pups, but not Gabby. He is uncomforable with it. Thankfully I don't have a job .. I cannot imagine how stressful this is for you.
I will keep you in my prayers...hoping that something comes up that makes it easier on all of you.

[Ringo1]

Originally Posted by linz06

Layla eats her food like candy. She can't get enough.

The vet warned us that it would make her drink more. Yesterday I stayed home because I was sick, but today I was back at work. When we got home after work this evening, her bladder had overflowed and she leaked all over the floor. That's really bad for her bladder.

Now something needs to change again. We have been through putting up posters around town, putting ads online for someone to take care of her during the day. We'll have someone interested and after a couple of days or a week, they let us know they will not be coming the next day because they don't want to do it anymore. We just can't rely on other people. I switched jobs to have more flexible hours so I can get home an hour sooner than I did before, but I can't flex it any more than that and I don't live in the same town I work in.

I feel so defeated. We are trying to do everything for her and I love her so much and it feels like just when I think things are going to be okay, we get slammed with another hurdle. I wish that none of this had to happen to her.

I'm not sure where to turn next. I guess tomorrow we have to call the vet and see how much she will charge to board Layla there every day so she can express her, and we can see if we can afford it. I am just so upset.

I'm glad Layla likes her food - are you feeding the wet or the dry? Or some combination of both? Lucy has recently discovered the joys of me adding water to her dry food and then heating it up in the microwave ~ makes a little 'gravy'. I'm hoping this works with her new food.

I'm so sorry your sitters are backing out on you but I know you will find a way. You jump one hurdle and there sits the next.

I feel defeated too. Lucy has MVD; just had bladder surgery; she has grade 3 LP in her back leg and she is living with a jealous Westie who just gets more jealous of her every day - what with the medication and all the attention she has been getting.

Saturday - some of my friends came over and of course they all love Lucy and want to hold her. I told them over and over again to please pay some attention to Ringo - but he standing there muddy all over from digging and with dirt all over his face only a mother could love. Long story short - Ringo went after her Saturday night and she has been terrified ever since. I've got to find a way to give him more attention. This is the second time in a few months span.

I don't know what to do anymore. I'm wondering if I can bear to part with Lucy if I had a chance to find her a home where she could have peace and not be scared. I know I could probably never find Ringo a home - he digs; he barks; he needs miles and miles of exercise . . . I must do the right thing for everyone and I no longer know what that is. I love Lucy so much - probably more than any other dog and I'm sure Ringo senses it even though I try to play fair.

Going to have to sleep on it tonight and hope tomorrow looks brighter. I hope your tomorrow looks brighter as well.

[linz06]

Originally Posted by Ringo1

I'm glad Layla likes her food - are you feeding the wet or the dry? Or some combination of both? Lucy has recently discovered the joys of me adding water to her dry food and then heating it up in the microwave ~ makes a little 'gravy'. I'm hoping this works with her new food.

I'm so sorry your sitters are backing out on you but I know you will find a way. You jump one hurdle and there sits the next.

I feel defeated too. Lucy has MVD; just had bladder surgery; she has grade 3 LP in her back leg and she is living with a jealous Westie who just gets more jealous of her every day - what with the medication and all the attention she has been getting.

Saturday - some of my friends came over and of course they all love Lucy and want to hold her. I told them over and over again to please pay some attention to Ringo - but he standing there muddy all over from digging and with dirt all over his face only a mother could love. Long story short - Ringo went after her Saturday night and she has been terrified ever since. I've got to find a way to give him more attention. This is the second time in a few months span.

I don't know what to do anymore. I'm wondering if I can bear to part with Lucy if I had a chance to find her a home where she could have peace and not be scared. I know I could probably never find Ringo a home - he digs; he barks; he needs miles and miles of exercise . . . I must do the right thing for everyone and I no longer know what that is. I love Lucy so much - probably more than any other dog and I'm sure Ringo senses it even though I try to play fair.

Going to have to sleep on it tonight and hope tomorrow looks brighter. I hope your tomorrow looks brighter as well.

I am so sorry for all you're going through. I try not to let the thought of giving up Layla enter my mind, but I can't help it sometimes. I just know deep inside that nobody can care for her like I do. Nobody else KNOWS her outside of this condition, and I do. I know it doesn't define her.

Our situation is pretty much the opposite though.. we adopted two more dogs and Kash is the attention hog. Layla seems to get pushed aside now. He even pushes her around. She gets so upset at him and barks at him constantly. We try to give Layla special attention, but Kash will weasel his way right in. I have to be totally alone with Layla for her to relax, or her eyes are always on Kash and what he's doing. And EVERYONE falls in love with Kash. He is everyone's best friend. Scott and I say we don't know why everyone likes him so much, he's kind of a jerk! I mean, we love him too, but our girls are the sweet hearts, and Kash pushes them around.

Anyways, we don't have a solution yet. We left a message with the vet assistant last night for the vet to call us back, but she never did. Scott was pretty upset when he called so I'm upset that she didn't call back. I hope she got the message.

Yesterday I noticed an ad online from a 19 year old girl who just moved to the town we live in, looking for babysitting jobs. Well, maybe she's an animal lover and wouldn't mind learning to express Layla every day. It's a long shot, but I will send her a message today. I did contact a few pet sitters last night and they want to charge $40/day just for the 20 minute drive to our town And that's just a starting point, it will probably be more for a special-needs dog. That's just not do-able.

[Ringo1]

I hope she works out for you. Hey - babysit a kid or babysit a dog. Money is money and I hope she needs it!

Today, every time I give Lucy her antibiotic syringe - I fill it with water and then give Ringo some 'medicine'. Sheesh. At least they are both getting the same amount of attention; maybe this will help.