Dogs with stones/sand/crystals

[FoxInFiji]

Hi,
Don't know if anyone remembers me but I used to be on the Pets board a lot when we adopted our dog and fostered another. Our dog is now 10-11 years old and leaking urine occasionally. We took her to the vet multiple times. The first time he thought it was a UTI and gave us antibiotics. The second time he did more testing and thinks it's sand (pre-stones) in her urine. He wants us to buy the $80 bags of Hill C/D dog food he sells and keep her on it for life. :confused:

We feed her a grain free diet and it has eliminated the need for monthly anal gland expression, helped her coat, and has given her more energy. Of course this Rx food is crap compared to that and is really poorly rated on the dogfoodanalysis site. The vet had no recommendations when I asked for a grain free alternative.

My research is showing that she probably has struvite crystals which you should not change their diet for at least long term (link). We have been encouraging her to go to the bathroom more and drink more water. It's been helping but isn't 100%. I think we might have to switch vets even though we don't have many in our area.

Has anyone else dealt with a similar issue with their dog? TIA

ETA: Here's a picture for your trouble.

[momof2boys]

My dog had a few urinary accidents and when his urine was tested his PH was off and he had crystals. The vet offered the expensive food as well, but with a 130 pound dog who eats 5 cups a day, that wasn't an option due to finances. I asked if there was a different option and he put him on an antibiotic just in case there was infection and vitamin C. I have to have his urine rechecked to see if the vitamin C cleared up the issues, but he hasn't had an accident in a few weeks so i'm hoping things are good.

Also, sometimes older dogs (especially female dogs) end up with leaking urine b/c of hormone issues. They make medications, Phenylpropanolamine or DES (I think) for those issues.

Good luck!

[FoxInFiji]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I've been reading Vitamin C has worked for a number of people so I think we'll try that. I'm also going to order some pH test strips so we can keep an eye on if it's getting better or worse.

[momof2boys]

Back with an update. Unfortunately when I had his urine rechecked after being on the Vitamin C his PH went up and he had more crystals! I spoke with the vet and we are going to try Uroeze. They have to order it for me, then we'll get started and try it for 6 weeks and then recheck his urine again. If he's had some improvement but is not where we need to be we'll then increase the dose. If we've had no improvement or it worsens again i'll have no choice but to change his diet ($$$). I was really hoping it would be as simple as giving him Vitamin C!

[clo]

I remember you! Hi!

Will your pup eat ice cubes? That is a good way to get more liquid in her diet.

Other than that, I'm not much help. A wet diet might help to increase her liquid intake.