YORKILUV - you are the only other person I have ever talked with that had the plumbing re-do on a male because of stones. It almost killed my husband when we had to do it and it was really hard especially when putting the dog thru something so extemem didnt work after the three previous surgery's. I am so happy to hear your dogs procedure has been a success, at least it wasnt for nothing like my dogs was.

KATI's MOM - best of luck to you and your precious dog. I hope this is a one time deal and you are both done with it. After my dog had his 3rd surgery, I researched everything under the sun to see what the cause could be. I even thought the chemicals in raw hide bones had something to do with it. I changed his food, etc but nothing worked because the vet treated the sypmtom and not the problem. I could kick my self for not insisting the liver be checked even though I had read a liver not doing its job contributes to infections and onto stones. I just assumed the vet knew what he was doing - that was my mistake for assuming.

Having said all of this and rather allow that horrible experience get to me, I have chosen to learn something from it so my baby didnt have to die for nothing. I do know now that if any of my other babies develop or suffer from any kind of re-occuring problem, I will take them to Texas A&M and not assume the vet knows what he is doing if it keeps happening. Those vets at Tx A&M were awesome and it blew me away how they figured out what was the PROBLEM in two days rather three years of guessing.

Get well soon Katie
 

So happy to hear Katie is home recuperating, she's going to need some rest so she can get her strength back. Glad she's eating, the dry food anyway, good that you add a little water to her food. But if she doesn't drink much water, could you put it in a syringe and just squirt it in her mouth every so often, make it fun like a game, if it's forced she might object. The shivers could be a sign of pain, but she may just be a little bit frightened, after all she has been thru surgery and all. Best wishes to you and Katie, I do hope this all turns out well. Thoughts and prayers!!!

Cidney, I am truly sorry that the surgery didn't work for your baby :( In most cases, it is a successful surgery...I truly thank God that everything went well with Miko. We were really scared just like you and your husband, but then our vet told us that it was actually somewhat of a common practice with cats that develop stones/crystals. And I am like you, if I suspect something is wrong, I don't just take a vet's word for it anymore...I learned that when Miko was a pup. They told us that he wouldn't make it through the night and that maybe it would be best to put him down!! They were crazy...
You are giving wonderful advice!!

The vet didn't give me much info on food other than the science diet....but Katie loves treats! She goes crazy over beggin strips, are these ok to give her? Any advice on what foods to avoid or what treats are good? I don't think I have ever tried watermelon but I will give it a shot although she is not big on fruits except for apples. Thanks for the idea.

The treats and foods that are safe will completely depend on what kind of stone she has. Foods that are good for struvite stones are not necessarily good for dogs with ammonium urate stones and vice versa. Struvite stones are produced in alkaline urine, and urate stones are produced in acidic urine.
Once you find out what kind of stone your baby has, we'll be able to help you with foods and snacks :) Apples(cut up and peeled) are a great treat :) Carrots too :)

But what do you feed her in the mean time, until all the test are run and the results back? You wouldn't want to give her anything that may make her worse...So many questions...Not enough answers!!!

Yep, I don't know why it takes so long to get those lab results back sometimes...We had to wait almost a week!

Tests are in!
 

The vet just called me today and said Katie's stone was ..magnesium amonium phosphate...a struvite stone? Ok everyone, what is the best to feed her? Someone told me to give her distilled water instead of tap water. Do you think this will make a difference? What causes them to get a stone like this? I just want to do the right thing so she won't get any more of those nasty things! She is doing great by the way, almost back to her old self. She said she didn't have any of those PH test strips but that I could order them, anyone know where a good place is to get them? Thanks for any info!

Yes, I think those are struvite stones which are more common on females. Ralphie had calcium oxalate, more common to males. Your vet should guide you as to her diet. Hopefully, you can avoid the prescription diet foods; Ralphie really cannot unless he takes potassium citrate for the rest of his life and gets monitored constantly. Right now, I'm back on the Hills U/D for his type of stones.

Hope I did the link right. Here's where I bought the PH strips: http://www.ph-ion.com/index.asp?Page...FSBMGgod2DTZRQ

I use them on a weekly, sometimes more often, basis and his levels should be at 6.5 to 7.0 or 7.2 ideally. Too low, too acidic and he can form stones again. Too high turns to the struvite stones.

I'm hoping your little is doing well and if you follow the right diet and use those strips, she'll be fine!

http://b-naturals.com/Dec2002.php

Incredibly informative article, please read it regarding struvite stones! :)

Won't the test strips for ph balance you can buy at any pharmacy for people work on dogs too? And I would assume your vet will suggest the right foods, right? And I have always used distilled water for Winston...don't know why...but I drink it and have always gien it to him too.

Yes, it's the same test strips. I just purchased them online because I had a hard time finding them locally and it's easier for me to buy online. I use filtered water for all of us, Ralphie included. The filtration is built into my water system at home.

Yes, the ph strips that they sell in the pharmacy are important to use when trying to get your baby's ph balance in check. My yorkie and maltese are also on distilled :)

And another question...how in the world do you get a urine sample, Winston pees outside so I can't squeeze it how of his peepad...hmmmm???

Ralphie pees outside too and I follow him around with a disposable rectangular aluminum pan (9X12), one that you'd put lasagna in!:D He got smart though because when he sees the pan, he refuses to go and just stands and stares at me, even though he's busting to go! When he can hold it no longer, he goes and I slip the pan under him. It does work. You have to play games though!