switching strivite crystal prone 4# dog to raw

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what do I feed and how to feed a 4# 2yr toy poodle prone to strivite crystals raw diet. best foods to feed her and how much please???

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About struvite stones (this is for ferrets but same concepts apply)

Three main factors cause struvite stones: diet, urinary pH and bacterial infections of the bladder.

The two main components of the diet involved in struvite stone occurrence are the source of the protein and the level of magnesium. The source of the protein is important because this affects the pH of the urine. Animal-based protein such as chicken, turkey, pork, egg and fish have the amino acids methionine and cystine in them. These two amino acids contain sulfur. When these two sulfur-containing amino acids are metabolized, they produce sulfuric acid. When sulfuric acid is excreted into the urine, it lowers the pH of the urine. On the other hand plant-based protein like corn gluten, wheat gluten, soy protein isolates and soybean meal do not have those two sulfur-containing amino acids. Thus plant-based protein does not acidify the urine, and the pH of the urine raises higher than normal (above 6.4). Struvites are unlikely to form when the pH of the urine is acidic (below 6.4).

Struvites are composed of three things: magnesium, ammonium and phosphate; therefore, avoid excessive amounts of these three things in the ferret’s diet. Magnesium is the most important one to limit.

As previously mentioned, urinary pH is an important factor in struvite formation. When a ferret eats a diet with mainly plant-based protein, the pH of the urine rises above the normal range. A pH above 6.4 can cause struvite crystals and stones to form. This is why it is so important to feed a high-quality, meat-based ferret food or kitten food instead of a low-quality, plant-based non-ferret food.

Bacterial bladder infections from Staphylococcus or Proteus species can raise the urine pH to 8 or above. Struvite stones can form in less than one day when the pH is that high. Bladder infections are most common in unneutered jills during the breeding season and during pregnancy, and in ferrets with adrenal gland disease. Thus, it is important to use an appropriate antibiotic as soon as possible if a ferret has a bladder infection.

Have you ruled out bladder infection? How has she been treated with them in the past?

I'd say the best way to avoid the formation of crystals is to get her on a full raw diet, make sure to include chicken, turkey, pork, egg and/or fish (to acidify the urine). Avoid corn, wheat, gluten, etc. Look for meats that are lower in magnesium.

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bladder infection ruled out. 2 vets feel a lot of it is due to her size. she was on so14 which I hated. she has now been on high quality wet foods like pinnacle duck/potatoe, natural balance, even solid gold and has done well on those. I just figure she weighs almost the same as my 3 ferrets put together might as well do this with her instead. also r u saying stay away from beef?? what about rodents?

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May 18, 2011 16:09:01 GMT -5 @sheilaamistone1974 said:

also r u saying stay away from beef??

Not at all. Just saying that feeding certain foods like poultry, eggs, pork, etc. will help to acidify her urine, and reduce the chance of stone formation.

May 18, 2011 16:09:01 GMT -5 @sheilaamistone1974 said:

what about rodents?

I don't see any issues with that

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Unfortunately smaller dog breeds are extremely prone to struvite crystals and bladder stones. Has she been x-rayed to check for bladder stones (the vet would have done this had she showed any red blood cells in her urine) or did her urinalysis just show struvite crystals?

Does she have the struvite crystals now? How many?

While a raw diet sounds like it can prevent struvite crystals (I've never tried it myself), I'm not sure if it has the capability to dissolve them. She may have to go on a veterinary prescription diet to dissolve the struvite crystals first THEN switch to the raw to help prevent them.

Just keep in mind that diet is only ONE factor in urinary crystal production. While it sounds like a raw diet will lower the pH enough to help with prevention, If she is genetically prone to them there's no guarentee a raw diet will prevent them. She may have to periodically go on prescription vet food to dissolve them if they flare up badly.

That being said, if you think about, they never got urinary tract crystals or infections in the wild. Unfortunately genetics and years of feeding man-made dog food have had a big impact on urinary tract problems and a lot of dogs and cats have crystals as a life long issue no matter what you do.

Source of my information: I work at a cat/dog vet clinic and have a cat with severe struvite crystals and a dog with chronic bacterial bladder infections. Unfortunately both of their conditions are genetic and so severe that the only thing they can be on is Medical Urinary SO (which is actually a Prescription food designed to DISSOLVE the crystals constantly, as well as prevent them).

Good luck! Let me know if you have success! I'm not sure that my vet would let me switch my two to raw diets because of how advanced their conditions are, but if it works for you I'd love to know so that I can have a discussion with my vet!

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her urinalysis JUST showed strivite crystals. she does NOT have any now. she hasn't for about one year. ever since we did the 6wks of so14 then put her on wet food only. she can also handle something called dog log from petsmart as treats. my vet gave approval but she will need to be tested 2 months after the complete switch to raw diet.

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Perfect, then I see no reason not to go raw! Good luck!

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how many oz for her and can it be given in one meal? (she does best only eating at night since she is my service dog and it is easier to control her bowels and bladder).

[Heather]

Go for it....I've known great success with raw against crystals. How much to feed, 2 to 3 percent of desired body weight and take it from there. Some dogs require more, some less. Tiny dogs often require the higher end (slightly higher metabolisms). You can feed in one meal but again this depends on the dog. If she's ravenously hungry break it into a couple of meals. Remember treats are also considered into the total. Good luck and keep us posted.
ciao

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You should consider adding pulsed raw parsley to her diet as it specifically prevents all urinary tract problems. Have had great success with it for urinary tract infections and incontinence, both as a cure and preventive.