Struvite crystals, please advise!

[mimimomo]

I posted in the health & diet forum about 4 weeks ago about Momo having struvite crystals. Some advised that these crystals are connected to an infection (UTI) but the vet didn't see any bacteria, so she didn't do a culture. I forgot to ask on Momo's recent recheck to do the culture even if she doesn't see any bacteria & I forgot. Well, he still has struvite crystals & she prescribed Clavamox. To make matters worse, Princess has a lot of them & her vet didn't do a culture either...& again, I forgot to ask when I was there. I've been having memory problems lately (that time of the month TMI sawwie!), I forget what I was gonna write down on my 'don't forget' list!

I need opinions on what to do for their recheck. I've been going to the same hospital since they were puppies & I feel like they're incompetent on this issue. Do I take them somewhere else? They're both on Hill's canned C/D & both started antibiotics today. If the prescription food & antibiotics don't work, does it mean they have liver issues? Do I need to take them to a specialist? Or do I need to calm down & wait to see if the antibiotics work? sigh

[mimimomo]

BTW, a UTI wasn't even confirmed, do I need to take them somewhere else to do another urinalysis & culture? Or just continue the antibiotics (since I already started it today) & then take them in for another recheck?

Their blood tests show no signs of liver issues & they both eat very well so I don't think that's it...Princess' pH was a little high @ 8 (alkaline). I don't know much about it, but a dog w/consistent alkaline urine pH means they may have UTI & possible kidney stones.

[MandiesMom]

If you are not comfortable with the answers/care that your current vet is giving, I would most definitely seek a 2nd opinion. See if it is a UTI. Also, it seems like I've read high protein diets can lead to this. I'm not versed on the foods you listed..are they high in protein?

Hoping someone with experience in this replies soon. I really can only reply with what I recall reading along my journey here on YT.

Prayers.

[mimimomo]

Originally Posted by MandiesMom

If you are not comfortable with the answers/care that your current vet is giving, I would most definitely seek a 2nd opinion. See if it is a UTI. Also, it seems like I've read high protein diets can lead to this. I'm not versed on the foods you listed..are they high in protein?

Hoping someone with experience in this replies soon. I really can only reply with what I recall reading along my journey here on YT.

Prayers.

The Hill's C/D is a prescription food for urinary tract health. It's supposed to lower magnesium, phosphorus & calcium levels to discourage struvite crystals from forming. They don't necessarily get high protein foods, but a high protein raw meat based diet is beneficial for them bc of the acidity (dogs should have an acidic urine @ 6-6.5) & it will lower alkaline Ph.

I've read that some dogs have struvite crystals w/out any infection. In this case, it's perfectly normal. I think Momo is this case, he has no infection bc his Ph is perfectly normal, where it should be @ 6-6.5 & he has little struvites. Again, he's on antibiotics that he doesn't need.

I'm worried about Princess bc she has a lot of struvites crystals & her Ph is a little high @ 8 (alkaline). It has a lot to do w/diet (for example eating high PH foods like legumes, fruits (apples, bananas, etc.) & veggies (potatoes, celery, etc.) I was feeing them Canine Caviar which has chick peas (legumes) & Honest kitchen which has all those fruits & veggies listed! Now in her case, she might most likely have an infection, so I'm glad she's on antibiotics now & it should help clear it up. Turbo also has a high Ph, but no crystals. Mimi's is where it should be.

I've decided to Home Cook for them (very important it be a balanced one), will even try raw (not premade) if it helps. I can control what goes in their food & it will be so healthy for them. I spent hrs reading online to find all this info that the vets should have known...disappointing to say the least. We are switching vet hospitals.

I encourage everyone to have a urinalysis (with culture & sensitivity if you suspect a UTI or just have it done w/for peace of mind!) done, esp if they've never had one done & they're 5-7+ years old. It doesn't cost much & it's a very good prognosis. Some are on a all kibble diet & it's very hard on their tiny kidneys.

[Ellie May]

Pretty sure I gave you the link from Dr. Remillard's site about crystals.

when Ellie had struvites, this is what her vet said:

Chemistry and CBC are good. Glucose up from stress probably. Should keep an eye on it. No glucose in urine. pH in urine is too high. As a result, she has some crystals. No bacteria but struvites usually are associated with infection. May want to put on round of antibiotics and add in urinary acidifiers if pH doesn't respond to antibiotics. What do you think.

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They are almost always related to infection - but there are a few exceptions. Culture should be done if struvites are present, and at the vety least, antibiotics.

If you want to homecook I would get a recipe from a veterinary nutritionist. C/D may be important in this case. I honestly (jmho) would not feed any holistic kibbles right now.

Yes, you need a second opinion. There may be more diagnostics to be done.

[mimimomo]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Pretty sure I gave you the link from Dr. Remillard's site about crystals.

when Ellie had struvites, this is what her vet said:

Chemistry and CBC are good. Glucose up from stress probably. Should keep an eye on it. No glucose in urine. pH in urine is too high. As a result, she has some crystals. No bacteria but struvites usually are associated with infection. May want to put on round of antibiotics and add in urinary acidifiers if pH doesn't respond to antibiotics. What do you think.

------------

They are almost always related to infection - but there are a few exceptions. Culture should be done if struvites are present, and at the vety least, antibiotics.

If you want to homecook I would get a recipe from a veterinary nutritionist. C/D may be important in this case. I honestly (jmho) would not feed any holistic kibbles right now.

Yes, you need a second opinion. There may be more diagnostics to be done.

Thank you, I looked through the other thread & didn't see a link for Dr. Remillard's site about crystals...I plan to contact her to formulate a home cooking diet for us.
Momo, Princess & Turbo are all on the prescription Hill's C/D right now & Mimi is still eating premade raw since she's doing well on it, but I would love to cook for all 4 of them, makes things much easier if they're eating the same food & cooking is not my forte! lolll