One of the most frustrating aspects of all the research I've done in the past several years is realizing all the things I coulda’-shoulda’- woulda’ done had I known then what I know now.
While I sit here trying desperately to nurse my sweet boy Cooper back to health, it angers me that maybe, just maybe this could have been prevented.
As I told you in my last post, Cooper had stones in his bladder removed a few years ago. There are several types of stones that can form in the bladder or kidneys. The type of stones he had are called calcium oxalate. They cannot be dissolved, therefore must be removed surgically.
After the surgery the only thing my vet told me was I MUST give this prescription food to Cooper the rest of his life or else…that was it, I had no choice if I loved my dog. So I complied, because I trusted that vet and I believed she wanted the same thing I did.
Here are the ingredients in the prescription food my vet instructed me to buy:
Brewers Rice, Corn Starch, Pork Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Dried Egg Product, Powdered Cellulose, Chicken Liver Flavor, Flaxseed, Lactic Acid, Potassium Citrate, Soybean Oil, Calcium Carbonate, L-Lysine, Iodized Salt, Choline Chloride, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Dried Beet Pulp, L-Threonine, Vitamin E Supplement, Taurine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), L-Carnitine, L-Tryptophan, preserved with Mixed Tocopherols & Citric Acid, Phosphoric Acid, Beta- Carotene, Rosemary Extract.
This was horrible advice for so many reasons!
First of all, ALL dogs, regardless if they have a problem with stones need much more water then they can ever get eating dry dog food! But especially a dog who has issues with the bladder MUST keep well hydrated to keep the PH balance in the bladder healthy!
Secondly, a low oxalate diet is advised to prevent kidney stones. I had never heard of a “low oxalate diet”, have you? There are foods that you must avoid if you have oxalate stones! Foods such as Rice and Corn, in any form! What are the first two ingredients in the food my vet prescribed? Brewers Rice and Corn Starch!
A low oxalate diet should be based primarily on meat, with the addition of moderate amounts of low-oxalate vegetables. Where is the MEAT in this “food”??? There is none!!! Zero, zip, zilch….nada!!!!
This is the part where I get so angry! The food I thought would prevent the stones from returning were actually encouraging the stones to return!
Here are a few things I wish I knew sooner:
Increase water consumption! No kibble! Raw, homemade diet or quality canned food only! From what research suggests, calcium oxalate is unlikely to crystallize into stones when your pet’s urine is dilute.
It is important to regularly check the pH of your dog’s urine using urine dipsticks or color-indicator paper. For the most accurate reading, it is best to test in the morning before you feed your dog.
Stop feeding grains of any kind!
Let your dogs out often! A dog who is allowed to relieve themselves often are much less likely to form stones then dogs who have to wait all day to be let out!
Allow for small, frequent meals. The acidity (pH) of your dog’s urine fluctuates during the day. It is usually lowest during the night and then slowly rises after the pet’s morning meal. Feeding your pup throughout the day will cause the urine to be less acidic and less likely for oxalate stones to form.
Encourage your dog to be active; calcium oxalate levels can rise in a dog that does not exercise. Also, exercise makes your dog thirsty!
Try to keep your dog’s stress level to a minimum.
If you or someone you know has a pet with bladder stones, please, please, PLEASE do not feed that dry bag of death food your vet prescribes! Do your research and hopefully you will not find yourself in this heartbreaking situation I am currently in.
