Canine Urinary Struvite Crystals
by Jackie H.
(San Diego, CA. USA)
My 7yo spayed Shih Tzu/Poodle (otherwise healthy) was treated for a UTI (urinary tract infection) in September. At Thanksgiving, I brought her in suspecting she had another UTI.
A urine sample was not retrieved because Ultrasound showed a suspicious mass that the vet suspected was TCC. Attempts at a traumatic catheterization were unsuccessful when attempted by all three vets in the clinic.
Upon consultation with an oncologist, he was easily successful with a catheterization. There was a large body of tissue, bladder stones & 'sludge' removed. All biopsies came back negative. The oncologist said there was no mass/tumor, the diagnosis is not TCC, and we are dealing with struvite crystals that are likely to recur.
He recommended either Hills or Royal Canin urinary formulas for a diet, Dha 300 mg daily as a prophylactic , and Crananidin (essentially 45mg cranberry extract daily).
Currently, she is eating the Hills u/d and taking both supplements (I intend to put her on a cranberry supplement without sugar and food coloring).
My question: I am horrified by the ingredients in the prescription diet. Is there a more holistic food I can offer her? I am not likely to prepare dog food by hand.
Is there anything else I can/should do to keep her healthy? Is this really always a chronic condition?
Thanks so much-
Jackie Houtz
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