Need Help Feeding My Yorkie That Has Calcium Oxalate Crystals-allergic To Corn!

[sadiesamie]

Originally Posted by sadiesamie

ok- I will check out the threads on ac vinegar. I am so nervous. I am almost afraid to ask the vet if I can do this b/c a few weeks ago I asked her about adding a little cranberry juice and she said to wait and see what the urinalys shows. Well- we did the urinalysis 2 wks ago... and she never said anything to me.

She told my husband that she doesn't seen a problem with Samie staying on the Canidae and then rechecking her after it has been 4 wks. Now this really makes me nervous. B/c she prescribed the food (hills pres diet w/d with adding 1 teas potassium citrate granules) a "prescription" dog food--- none the less.... and then now she agrees to the canidae?

She even told him that she was not as concerned with the values of magnesium/phosphorus/calcium as she was with the crystals. She told my husband that she wants to see her ph increase to 7.

That's what I can't figure out? Then why did she prescribe a Hills prescription food and tell me that those things needed to be low?
Why isn't she telling me it's that simple to add something to her water... or anything?

The canidae says right on the info site that its capable of maintaining a ph of 6. how is it going to ever reach 7? when it is supposed to "maintain a ph of 6"???

She also told him that dogs digest food differently and that we may need to make changes after her next urinalysis...but, to see what happens within the next 3-4 more weeks.

Does she expect Samie to do ok on the canidae? b/c that would be too good to be true? Geez- I have no idea?

I went to the book store tonight and was reading all kind of info.
I "think" I am starting to understand all of this "a little" better- but I am still not clear on a few things. Do you happen to know if I have it right? :-)

If Samie's ph is at a 6... her urine is considered acidic? (able to produce crystals/oxalate stones) and if her urine is neutral b/w 6-7. (target goal) and if over 7 its considered alkaline? (able to produce struvite crystals/stones?) right? or am I wrong?

One of the vets I talked to about her diet this week mentioned "allo purinol" to me when i told him about the calcium oxalate crystals. I had never heard of it before- and I have not researched it yet?

You would think that you could give some kind of pill or the vet would telll me to add something like that to her food. Do you think if i talk to her about it tomorrow she would tell me yes to go ahead and the apple c vinegar? B/c I have not known her long enough since we just switched vets and I wonder how much she really knows about the yorkies diet??? I mean- It was this website that clued me in to knowing that something was really wrong with Samie.

And OMG! You should see my little Samie!!! "3 wks" off of the food that she had been on since Feb making her so sick!!! OMG! she was sooooo bad! then to make things worse she had been suffering with a yeast infection she had probably since last August 2006-that was when i first noticed the sticky black stuff that formed on her vagina that our old vet NEVER EVER tested for anything?? Everyone there (I took her every 6 wks for an anal gland cleaning) and asked them about it every time. THey just wiped it away and told me to keep the area clean. I was the one that said HEY- I want you to do a urinalysis on her- I took them some urine and they found crystals. I was shocked? I had no idea any crystals were forming??????? Makes me want to have my other dog tested now too!

so Samie had an ear infection in both ears...yeast infection and she was getting really sick on this food... she is a totally different dog this past 3 wks.

I have finally for the first time in ......ummmmm......a "year" not worry about this little dog- It has been really crazy with all of this. I didn't know... hey I was pretty much trying to prepare for the worst. If this was normal for a dog that is 9 yrs old with trachea problems to pretty much get ready to have to put her to sleep... or what? our OLD vet told us with her trachea issues we are blessed to have her 9 yrs. this new vet xrayed her trachea and she said it didn't look horrible but it definitely collapses a little. So- I don't know what to think. I know one thing for sure- all of samies problems with ear infect, and yeast infect... food messing with her...licking her paws for 30 min at a time.... sure does bring on A LOT of panting... all of that panting was from her being so uncomfortable I just know it. B/c I have not had to give her any hyromet (for her trachea) for almost 2 wks.

My husband came home from work yesterday and got down and was kissing her and I heard him talking to her! he was saying: "there's my samie!!! where have you been all this time"?

it's crazy! now that we think of it- she never barked much anymore either. AND these past few days she has been quite vocal. She was very active yesterday and today. tonight she ran around so much playing with my other dog it scared me b/c she was getting so out of breath :-) heavy panting :-) and she was making these little puffing noices with her nose while I was brushing my teeth, I could hear her. I didn't know what she was doing?? trying to get my attention or what? She does try to tell me when it's time for her treat (canned dog food in the fridge) and i have to add that she also
hasn't done that for a long... time- maybe 4 months...

So after I am looking at her to see what she is doing? she was taking little breaths. I think she had "hiccips" OMG.... I froze for a few seconds... she scared the heck out of me! I gave her a couple ice cubes and kept an eye on her... but man!! she made me so nervous. I have never seen this dog have hiccups before?? i didn't know what was going on? My husband is out of town too so I was freaking out... It was freaky! especially since she was just running and playing with my other dog. she has been very mopey these past several months so it's good to see her feeling good!

anyway- will give next update this w/end on samies bloodwork and ear/yeast
re-check. :-)

always so much writing for me... sorry :-)

Oh and thanks for the info on the ph strips at the vitamin shoppe too. I am going to try to go there maybe this w/end. :-)

[TLC]

I really don't see how the Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar is going hurt her in anyway.

Here are a few sites with information about how it works. They are breif, but read them through and see what you think? This way you will know what you are talking about when you go to the Vet, although, I am sure she has no clue about it...

http://www.earthclinic.com/Pets/acvfordogs.html

http://www.hundmeister.com/acvbenefit.htm

http://www.organic-dog.com/?action=v...c02f4dd66cb025

http://b-naturals.com/product_info.p...2e48a116e26bb3


Pet Care - Daily Health Tonic
The minerals, enzymes and acids in unpasteurized apple cider vinegar can supplement your pet's existing diet. It can be added either directly to the dog's food or drinking water.

Besides being a good source of easily absorbable potassium, apple cider vinegar aids digestion, inhibits the growth of unfriendly bacteria and helps maintain the proper acid/alkaline balance of the digestive tract.

Many holistic Vets recommend a daily dosage of:
1 tsp (5 ml) for cats and small dogs (up to 14 lb)
2 tsp (10 ml) for medium dogs (15 to 34 lb)
1 tbsp (15 ml) for large dogs (35 to 84 lb)

[sadiesamie]

Originally Posted by TLC

I really don't see how the Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar is going hurt her in anyway.

Here are a few sites with information about how it works. They are breif, but read them through and see what you think? This way you will know what you are talking about when you go to the Vet, although, I am sure she has no clue about it...

http://www.earthclinic.com/Pets/acvfordogs.html

http://www.hundmeister.com/acvbenefit.htm

http://www.organic-dog.com/?action=v...c02f4dd66cb025

http://b-naturals.com/product_info.p...2e48a116e26bb3


Pet Care - Daily Health Tonic
The minerals, enzymes and acids in unpasteurized apple cider vinegar can supplement your pet's existing diet. It can be added either directly to the dog's food or drinking water.

Besides being a good source of easily absorbable potassium, apple cider vinegar aids digestion, inhibits the growth of unfriendly bacteria and helps maintain the proper acid/alkaline balance of the digestive tract.

Many holistic Vets recommend a daily dosage of:
1 tsp (5 ml) for cats and small dogs (up to 14 lb)
2 tsp (10 ml) for medium dogs (15 to 34 lb)
1 tbsp (15 ml) for large dogs (35 to 84 lb)

I don't think i even want to ask the vet about it. She didn't say much about the cranberry juice when i asked her about that. The old vet was the one that told me about using the cran juice. If I ask this new vet- she just might say no. Samie will have a urinalysis done again in a few weeks so I really am going to try this. I plan to bring her to the vet in a little while, bring her back home and then go back out again to the vitamin shoppe. I am excited to check this place out. I checked out the website for them and they also do have the ph strips there. I even asked my vet about these ph strips last week and she said that she didn't trust them and that's why she sends her tests to the labs. Well- you guessed it :-) I am gettin em' anyway :-)

thanks so much!!!

[sadiesamie]

I am trying to figure how much to mix with a gallon of distilled water.

Oh... and i got the ph strips too. They came on a roll. I thought they would be little strips... but- this was all they had and I wanted to have them to start testing each week. I asked the guy at the counter if i should keep the roll wrapped in the gold foil it came in or if it was ok to put the roll in the dispenser and keep it that way. he suggested keeping the gold foil on the roll? I am not sure why? I already took off the foil and put the roll in the little dispenser so I could easily tear off a piece... not sure how big of a piece to even use? does anyone know if I really do need to keep this foil over the ph roll or is it fine keeping it in the plastic dispenser? I want to do everything right :-)

we will see how this goes :-) MUCH thanks to everyone!!!

[kalina82]

Originally Posted by sadiesamie

I am trying to figure how much to mix with a gallon of distilled water.

Oh... and i got the ph strips too. They came on a roll. I thought they would be little strips... but- this was all they had and I wanted to have them to start testing each week. I asked the guy at the counter if i should keep the roll wrapped in the gold foil it came in or if it was ok to put the roll in the dispenser and keep it that way. he suggested keeping the gold foil on the roll? I am not sure why? I already took off the foil and put the roll in the little dispenser so I could easily tear off a piece... not sure how big of a piece to even use? does anyone know if I really do need to keep this foil over the ph roll or is it fine keeping it in the plastic dispenser? I want to do everything right :-)

we will see how this goes :-) MUCH thanks to everyone!!!

i would think that the ph paper needs to stay in the gold foil because it will protect the rest of the roll from outside contaminants.

[sadiesamie]

Their water bowl holds 2 cups. and I add 1 teas to 2 cups water... is that a good amount?

And then for the gallon add 8 teaspoons of acv? does that also seem right? Or are you putting 1 teas acv in less than 2 cups water?

i wont mix anything until I know for sure if anyone knows or I try to find info on that. :-) I have that new exciting feeling to try this and see if it will help raise her ph. Should I have high expectations here? cuz in a way I really do :-)

My girls are so darn sweet when I came home i was taking the plastic off of the acv glass jar and i wanted to taste it and they did too. :-) I didn't give then any of it yet it was just funny how excited they were over a jar of acv-like as if they were saying... yes Mama! we want to taste some of that too!!! it's gonna work for us! :-)

I love my girls so much it's crazy! Samie loved going to the vet today and I was more comfortable as it was our 4th time now at the new vet. She was so happy to go in the car and she kept turning back at me (I had her in my lap on a pillow) kissing me like crazy she was so happy! It's so nice to have my spunky little dog back! it's unreal how much better she is feeling! :-)

[sadiesamie]

Originally Posted by kalina82

i would think that the ph paper needs to stay in the gold foil because it will protect the rest of the roll from outside contaminants.

ok- i will keep the gold foil on the roll and just unwrap it as i need it. thanks!! I also am trying to think of how i need to do this? she is too small for me to get under her as she is peeing with the strip of paper. but- i can catch it in a ladle and bring it in the house and dip in urine that way. it would be a sterile spoon. I've been using it to collect urine for 6 mos now. lol...tomorrow morning i will test it and see where we are starting out here and start logging her ph level.

you guys are awesome! thanks so much for such awesome information!

[sadiesamie]

Originally Posted by kalina82

i would think that the ph paper needs to stay in the gold foil because it will protect the rest of the roll from outside contaminants.

the roll goes in a tiny clear plas container (like a tape dispenser) and it is completely inclosed inside of the plastic. you thread it through a tiny opening. I just thought it would be contaminated less if you didn't touch it. and it's going to be hard to roll with the gold foil still wrapped on the roll. i wouldn't be ale to use the dispenser. do you think that will be ok? I wonder how big of a strip to use? are the results immediately or do I need to wait a few min? I know I sound clueless? :-) but that's cuz i kinda am. ha ha!

[kalina82]

Originally Posted by sadiesamie

the roll goes in a tiny clear plas container (like a tape dispenser) and it is completely inclosed inside of the plastic. you thread it through a tiny opening. I just thought it would be contaminated less if you didn't touch it. and it's going to be hard to roll with the gold foil still wrapped on the roll. i wouldn't be ale to use the dispenser. do you think that will be ok? I wonder how big of a strip to use? are the results immediately or do I need to wait a few min? I know I sound clueless? :-) but that's cuz i kinda am. ha ha!

hmmmm good point. I know your fingers can also ruin the roll. well the scientist in me says the only way to test this is to try both ways a couple times to see if the results are the same or different. The ph strips we have at work are kept in a tube container. These are strips tho and not on a rolls so its easier to just grab one without touching the testing part of the strip. Also i believe it takes 30 seconds for the results to come up and be complete, but then again thats on the strips at work. So if yours don't come with instructions then i'd start counting and take results at 30 seconds and then wait till 60 seconds to make sure it stays the same.

The ladle idea is a good one.

[sadiesamie]

Originally Posted by kalina82

hmmmm good point. I know your fingers can also ruin the roll. well the scientist in me says the only way to test this is to try both ways a couple times to see if the results are the same or different. The ph strips we have at work are kept in a tube container. These are strips tho and not on a rolls so its easier to just grab one without touching the testing part of the strip. Also i believe it takes 30 seconds for the results to come up and be complete, but then again thats on the strips at work. So if yours don't come with instructions then i'd start counting and take results at 30 seconds and then wait till 60 seconds to make sure it stays the same.

The ladle idea is a good one.

okay thanks a bunch! I am anxious to see what her ph is. :-) the roll doesn't acutally seem like it will be too bad. it has a little cutter at the end. it's just a thin plastic container that snaps when you put the roll inside and it never gets air or touched so that's good. it even has a little chart on the side of the container so you could hold your strip up to it to see what it compares to. i still think the strips would be easier. can't believe that little roll was 16.00. crazy! but we NEED it! so... no biggie.

I hope it works. It is amazing to me to think that her urine will go up the scale to blue (7) b/c when i tested the acv with a small piece it INSTANTLY turned yellow. like it was going the other way on the chart towards 4. I know it's b/c of the acid in there but how does it work? well we are soon to find out :-) lol...

[sadiesamie]

I took this off of one of the sites i researched:

* Added to the drinking water, ACV has shown to maintain the acid/alkaline balance of the digestive tract. To find your dog's pH level, get some pH strips at your local drugstore, first thing in the morning test your dog's urine. If the strip reads from 6.5 - 7.0, then your dog's system is what it should be. If the pH is higher, then the system is too alkaline, ACV can help to establish a correct balance.

is this saying though that if ph is higher than 7 it will lower it?

b/c Samies needs to be higher. it wouldn't make hers go down? would it?

[kalina82]

Originally Posted by sadiesamie

I took this off of one of the sites i researched:

* Added to the drinking water, ACV has shown to maintain the acid/alkaline balance of the digestive tract. To find your dog's pH level, get some pH strips at your local drugstore, first thing in the morning test your dog's urine. If the strip reads from 6.5 - 7.0, then your dog's system is what it should be. If the pH is higher, then the system is too alkaline, ACV can help to establish a correct balance.

is this saying though that if ph is higher than 7 it will lower it?

b/c Samies needs to be higher. it wouldn't make hers go down? would it?

It balances the pH, so if the pH was high (for whatever reason) it will help lower it, if the pH is low it will raise it. The ACV will not make it lower. it acts against whatever is ailing the digestive system

[sadiesamie]

Originally Posted by kalina82

It balances the pH, so if the pH was high (for whatever reason) it will help lower it, if the pH is low it will raise it. The ACV will not make it lower. it acts against whatever is ailing the digestive system

ok. lets keep out fingers crossed. It seems too simple- but if it is... then i am glad. these crystals..kidney... have had me so worried. so if her urine gets closer to 7... they maybe she will not form crystals.. I hope.

[sadiesamie]

does 8 teas sound right? I don't want to over do it? or not add enough?

[eaglez28]

Dick Van Pattens Natural Balance Food has different formulas & all are low in Protein, reduced Calorie Formula is very low in Protein (16.5%)
I have used the Potatoe & Duck Formula when Scruffy was thought to have Pancreatitis (21%). I only switched because I got a new puppy & Natural Balance was a lil bit to large for her.
http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dogformulas/home.html

I now use CANIDAE Lamb & Rice Formula for all of my Yorkies (21% Protein) & Scruffy has not had another Pancreas attack since.
Canidae Platinum has 18.5% protein. Canidae is a wonderful all Natural Food.
http://www.canidae.com/

Good Luck to you & your Furbaby, Kim