Dog with Bladder & Kidney Stones: Holistic Treatment

November 3, 2014

Hi Kate,
From your history of Jack, a 15 year old mini-Dachsund, with bladder and kidney stones, a tumor attached to the wall of the bladder, and periodic, unexplained hemorrhage from the mouth, I agree that he is NOT a candidate for surgery. The 1/2″ bladder stones will dissolve in 3-6 months if the pH of the urine is kept at 6-6.5. (The kidney stones will not dissolve. But kidney stones usually remain isolated in the kidneys, and will not cause as much of a problem as the bladder stones.)

You can buy pH strips from a pharmacy or from a pool supply store and monitor the pH of his urine yourself.

Here are my suggestions:
1. NO DRY DOG Food—>feed canned dog food (Merrick’s and Nutrisca are good) with the addition of some raw meat, such as chicken, turkey, beef or lamb, (NO RAW pork or raw fish). This provides some ‘natural’ vitamin C into the diet. Heating or cooking destroys vitamin C. Dog food manufacturers, making cooked or processed dog foods DO NOT add any vitamin C to the food, because dogs make their own vitamin C. Except in the case of Jack, at his age and formation of stones and a tumor, being relinquished to a shelter at 14 years old, I suspect his immune system and production of Vitamin C is very depressed.

(if you wish to add additional vitamin C to his diet, make sure it is BUFFERED vitamin C, and NOT Ascorbic Acid. This is TOO acidic for a dog’s stomach.) He would only need 100mg of buffered Vit C, (such as Ester C, or Mega C from Dr Belfield, http://belfield.com/product/mega-c-plus-8-oz-226-4-gm/ If you add Mega C, he would only need 100mg in his food TWO times daily. About 1/10 tsp, since ONE teaspoon contains about 3,000mg vitamin C, plus all the other vitamins and minerals that he needs.

Also, meat will help to acidify the urine and bring the pH down to 6-6.5.

2. Cranberry concentrate—> the best one that I have found is called ‘Carpon’ made by Dr Wendell Belfield in San Jose, California. The same company that makes the Mega C. http://belfield.com/product/carpon-100-tablets/

These are tablets that are easily crushed that you can mix into his food. Jack will need one tablet TWO times daily.

I have heard of using D-Mannose for urinary tract problems, but I am not familiar with using it for dogs or cats. In my opinion, the Carpon would be better.

3. Bleeding–>you wrote, ” he had a complete CBC and while the count was a little low, everything else seemed fine.”

The platelets were low? (platelets are a VERY important ingredient to help STOP hemorrhage) Or, the red blood cell count was low? Meaning he is anemic??

What was low?

If he is anemic, or in danger of becoming anemic, he will need some B-vits injections. Give him 0.1cc mixed in same TB syringe with .3cc of B-12. He may need one injection once a week, depending on how low his RBC and HBG count is and how much bleeding he is doing.
———————————————-
4. Homeopathic remedy, Millefolium (yarrow) 6C or 12C potency is available at Health Food stores. It is an excellent remedy for hemmorhages of all kinds. You can dissolve one pellet in a 1 or 2 oz glass dropper bottle, succuss (or shake the bottle by hitting is against the palm of your hand. Give Jack 1/2 dropper by mouth two times daily. As he may be losing blood inside his bladder from the presence of the stones and/or the tumor.

The Chinese herb “Yunnan bai yao” is also excellent for bleeding. I DO NOT recommend using both a homeopathic and a Chinese herb at the same time. Yunnan bai yao comes in capsule form. Jack would only need about 1/4-1/3 capsule in his food two to three times daily.

Since Chinese herbs can sometimes have a disgusting taste, you might consider the homeopathic remedy first.

You can certainly continue the CoEnzQ-10 at 10mg daily, and the acidophilus, decrease or stop the D-Mannose and use the Carpon, and stop the fish oils.

Another resource for vets knowledgeable in homeopathy is AVH.org.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Hello Dr. Tillman,
Thank you so much for all your info. I have ordered the Carpon, the Mega C from Belfield.com and the yarrow (6c) online. I have Jack’s blood work results and his HGB is actually high 17.9-range 12.0-18.0 g/dL. RBC is 7.5-range 5.5-8.5 M/uL. His PLT is high 639- range 164-510 K/ul. His WBC is on the low side 7.2-range 6.0-17.0 K/uL.
They also did a PT test. The range was 7.1-9.1 sec. It was flagged out of range 6.8. There was a PTT test. The range was 10.-17.0. He was in range with 16.5 sec.
I need to correct an error on my part regarding the size of the stones in his bladder. Two are 1/4″ and 1 is 1/2″.
Also,an additional FYI, I give him about a tspn of 100% pure pumpkin to his PM meal. He gets mini Zukes and baked Zukes for treats. The Nurtisca wet food has no calcium carbonate listed, should I add some to it? The Merrick does list it.
Following your suggestions, does he still have the risk of a blockage like he did on the SO diet? Thanks for your time. Kate

November 4, 2014

Hi Kate,
You wrote,
“PT test. The range was 7.1-9.1 sec. It was flagged out of range 6.8….
PTT test. The range was 10.-17.0. He was in range with 16.5 sec.

If the PT (prothrombin time) is too low, that is actually a GOOD thing. It means that Jack has NO problem clotting.) Instead of taking 7.1 to 9.1 seconds to clot, he only took 6.8 seconds!

And his PTT (partial thromboplastin time) is good too.

But the stones, (and possibly the tumor), in his bladder may definitely cause some bleeding, and I am not sure why he has bleeding from the mouth. So, having the yarrow, (Millefolium 6C) on hand, will be great to have for emergency!)

You wrote,
“I give him about a tspn of 100% pure pumpkin to his PM meal. He gets mini Zukes and baked Zukes for treats. The Nurtisca wet food has no calcium carbonate listed, should I add some to it? The Merrick does list it.”

If you feed BOTH Merrick and Nurtisca together, then he should get enough calcium carbonate. So, no need to add more.

Also, if his urine pH maintains at 6-6.5 with the addition of the pumpkin and the Zukes treats, then continue your same routine. If his pH stays above 8, then you will need to stop the pumpkin, (substitute psyllium seed instead) and stop the Zukes treats. Or try just stopping one thing at a time, to see which is causing the alkaline (above pH 7) urine.

You wrote,
“does he still have the risk of a blockage like he did on the SO diet? ” Yes, I am afraid he does. When the stones get to a smaller size less than 4 mm, they need a wide enough space to pass through. Since a dog’s penis has a rigid bone in one section, that area of the urethra is unable to expand, and is the most likely are for a stone to become lodged. Hopefully, with NO dry dog food, plenty of moisture in his RAW diet, and the vitamin C added, and the other supplements, he will be able to shrink the stones to a small enough size that they do not become lodged.

Another resource for vets knowledgeable in homeopathy is AVH.org.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Regarding the additional raw food to be added to Jack’s diet. How much would I add? He gets just about a 1/2 cup twice a day of the wet Merrick and/ or Nutrisca. Of the foods you suggested, is there one that is easier for him to start out on? If he were to have a reaction, would slightly cooking it destroy the vitamin C. As far as I know, he has never had any type of raw food.

Thanks.
Kate

November 5, 2014

Hi Kate,
If Jack weighs 11.2 lbs, he will need at least 250 calories per day. Since he is 15 years old, he may not burn off calories as fast as a younger dog, so he may not even need that many calories.

But this should give you a base on where to start to figure out how much to feed. Different meats have different calories, so if you are adding raw turkey, it would be a different amount than if you add beef. Start with adding in about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per meal.

You wrote,
“Of the foods you suggested, is there one that is easier for him to start out on?”
Match it to the Merrick’s and the Neutrisca. If the Merrick’s is chicken then perhaps use one that is mostly chicken. Or just add in some plain ground chicken. Yes, cooking it will destroy the Vitamin C, but you can cook it ‘rare’ just for awhile until he becomes adjusted to it.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Dr. Tillman,

Thank you so much for providing me with great suggestions and in turn allowing me to continue to give Jack the best possible life I can. He has a lot of spunk for 15yrs. I think because I don’t treat him like he is old, he is able to thrive.
I look forward to putting everything into place, and reporting back with some great progress.
Kate

November 6, 2014

Hi Kate,
You are very welcome, and remember to monitor his urine pH!

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

P.S. If you’ve found this service or our web site helpful, please “Like” on social media.

DISCLAIMER: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Hello Dr. Tillman.
Thanks for suggesting an alternative place to buy the pH strips, as my local pharmacy is no longer able to get them. I was directed to a spa store.
You didn’t suggest how often I need to check the pH. This afternoon Jack’s pH was a wonderful 6.2. This was the first time using the strips.
On Saturday I will be starting him on a 1/2 tspn of raw ground chicken, carpon and Mega C. I have not yet received the yarrow.
Thanks.
Have a nice weekend.
Kate

November 7, 2014

Hi Kate,
pH of 6.2 is GREAT!

It is best to check either right before meals or several hours after eating. If done close to meal time, there is an ‘alkaline tide’ that occurs in the body, as all the hydrochloric acid is needed in the stomach for digestion, leaving the rest of the body alkaline.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Hello Dr. Tillman,
Simply put, I am confused. I’ve been trying to get educated as to what Jack is dealing with.
As you know, he was put on Royal Canin SO in an attempt to dissolve his bladder stones. There had been a previous urinalysis done that showed a pH of 8, suggesting he had struvite stones.
After a month of being on the diet, his bladder was x-rayed and the stones had not changed in size ruling out they were struvite stones.

My understanding is, the other type of stones form in an acidic environment. Which must be what Jack is dealing with.

If his pH stays in the acidic range of 6-6.5 ,I would think that would cause more stones to form or even cause the ones he has to grow. Here is the confusion. How does the Carpon (per the bottle-a natural urinary acidifier) and the low pH range not add to his situation?

Thanks for any info you can provide me, in helping me understand how all this works.
Kate

November 8, 2014

Hi Kate,
The other stones you are worried about are called ‘Calcium Oxalate’ stones/crystals. They are the ones that form in an acidic environment of 5-5.5.

Much lower than a ‘normal’ acidic environment of 6-6.5.

Trying to maintain a pH that is lower than 7 but not as low as 5 or 5.5 is what we are aiming for.

You wrote,
“After a month of being on the diet, his bladder was x-rayed and the stones had not changed in size ruling out they were struvite stones.”

I disagree. Not changing after only *one* month, and having maintained the pH at 6-6.5, does NOT rule out struvite stones. It takes a minimum of at least THREE months, maintaining the pH at 6-6.5, to start to see a decrease in size.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Hello Dr. Tillman,
As quickly Jack went on the carpon and bits of raw food back in November he came off of it. He is also not taking the Mega C. His pH bounce between 5 and 6. The vet is pretty convinced the stones are oxalate vs. struvite. At the suggestion of DogWare.com’s article about dogs with bladder stones, I have been giving him Newman’s Own organic beef (wet) for the past couple of months. He had a dental the beginning of January and his stones are the same size as when originally found in September of last year. I am giving him 1/2 of Renafood for humans , 1 -10 mg of Coq10 by vetriscience, 1/2 capsule of B-complex by Thorne Research (1/8 tspn) and 1 Probiotic Eleven capsule all 1 time a day.

I do cook for him and add calcium citrate to his food along with low oxalate vegetables. I do not combine the wet with the cooked because of the added calcium to what I make for him.

I get extremely frustrated with the low pH. I do make sure he gets extra liquids in the form of fresh chicken broth with slippery elm added. I am convinced the slippery elm is helping him feel more comfortable because he is able to go 6 hours without having an accident. When he does go, it is a lot. He does drink water through out the day. Not large volumes.

In the evening, for a treat I give him and his sister cooked frozen peas. I toss them for them to get. His sister is about 1 lb over weight and this is a way I am not adding lots of extra calories.
Today I read peas can increase uric acid….do I need to cut them out? He also loves cauliflower, another vegetable on the list for increased uric acid. He gets Zukes mini naturals treats as well.

Is there anything I can give him to raise his pH? He also has kidney stones. Thanks.
Kate

March 8, 2015

Hi Kate,
For maintaining a higher pH, you need to feed Jack more vegetables. You can add the vegetables to his diet, but I suggest you DECREASE the amount of canned food with beef, because meat with acidify the urine.

To support Kidney/Bladder and provide a Qi Tonic, (since he is an older dog I am assuming he needs a Qi Tonic, as I have not examined his tongue or felt his pulse), here are some vegetables and beans that should help: (and do not form oxalates)
asparagus
green beans
garlic
kidney beans
coconut
ginseng
red beans
yam
cinnamon

You can pick out 2-3 from this list and give it for a few days, then pick out 2-3 other items to add to his ‘base’ diet.

For example:

You could mix canned kidney beans sauteed with asparagus and garlic and mix with his base canned diet.

or

Cooked yams with cinnamon and steamed green beans mixed with his diet, and calculate the calories he might need for his weight.

Gingeng is a powerful Qi Chinese herb, and can be sauteed and mixed into each meal about 1/2-1 tsp per meal two times daily. If he objects to the taste, just decrease the amount so it is ‘camouflaged’.

Stop the cauliflower, peas, and Zukes, and give carrots for treats.
It is ok to continue the chicken broth and the other supplements that you are giving. There are some more specific Chinese herbs that can be given for stones, but Jack would need an exam by a holistic veterinarian to determine what he would need.

Another resource for vets knowledgeable in homeopathy is AVH.org.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Hello Dr. Tillman,
When I was looking up vegetables that are high in oxalates, two of the ones you suggested were on the list. Green beans and yams. Is there a website specific to animals that would differ from ones for humans?
As always, thanks.
Kate

March 30, 2015

Hi Kate,
You wrote,
“When I was looking up vegetables that are high in oxalates, two of the ones you suggested were on the list. Green beans and yams. Is there a website specific to animals that would differ from ones for humans?”

No, I do not have a specific website that is specific for animals regarding vegetables that are high in oxalate. But here is a website that can give you much more information on oxalate stones in dogs.

Dr Carl Osborne from Minnesota State University is not holistic, but is VERY knowledgeable in all urinary diseases:

http://www.cvm.umn.edu/depts/minnesotaurolithcenter/prod/groups/cvm/@pub/@cvm/@urolith/documents/asset/cvm_asset_107726.pdf

His suggestion of adding Potassium citrate to the diet might be helpful to increase the pH.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.