Kibble recommendation for struvite cyrstals

[SCDoug]

Hi All,

I don’t post very often, but this forum was incredibly helpful to two new lab handlers (me and my wife) when Lola was a puppy. It’s hard to believe that Lola will be 7 years old this summer.

Lola’s health has been excellent, but she was diagnosed with struvite crystals about three months ago. Our vet put Lola on a mix of prescription food...Royal Canin SO kibble and 1/2 can Hills S/D.

Once we got the “all clear” that the struvite crystals had been resolved, out vet suggested that we now feed Lola Hill’s C/D prescription diet kibble as her regular food.

Lola is not happy with food, and regularly looks up at me as if to say “you’re kidding, right?”

I know her appetite is great, because she gobbles up a raw diet that I mix up weekly.

Any ideas regarding a kibble that Lola might find tasty, that will prevent future crystals from forming?

Thanks in advance.

[smartrock]

I haven't had to care for a dog with struvite crystals and I don't know that much about it. I did find this article from the clinical nutrition service at Tufts Veterinary School. You might discuss it further with your vet.

https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2017/...ladder-stones/

[Snowshoe]

I've only dealt with crystals in cats and I don't remember for sure which kind they were. But after we cleared up the crystal problem we went back to a low ash food. Apparently it's more of a problem in male cats neutered very young, not sure if the same applies to dogs but a question to ask your Vet?

[Annette47]

I've only dealt with crystals in cats and I don't remember for sure which kind they were. But after we cleared up the crystal problem we went back to a low ash food. Apparently it's more of a problem in male cats neutered very young, not sure if the same applies to dogs but a question to ask your Vet?

I don't know much about crystals either, but I do know Annamaet has mentioned ash levels (and keeping them low) in their literature so maybe look into one of their formulas?

[SCDoug]

Thanks so much for the responses, and the link to the Tufts article. Lola had a lot food issues when she was a puppy. We finally found that Canine Caviar was a kibble that Lola liked and thrived on. We may go back to that, and talk to the vet about doing some periodic urine tests for crystals. It breaks my heart to see my beautiful girl not enjoy her food.

Btw - She refused her kibble this morning. Because of my schedule, I wasn’t going to be around to feed her anything else for the entire day. So, I mixed up some Primal nuggets that I feed Lola sometimes. She gobbled it up in Lab second.

[Black Labbies]

Oops, duplicate post.

[Black Labbies]

Struvite crystal experience here. It's important to keep the food as acidic as possible (no sugary stuff, preservatives and additives). If she's turning her nose to the kibble then she's telling you it's not the right kibble for her.

Both our current girls get cranberry capsules 2X daily, as per their vet. Both girls have had no crystals for 2 years now. We also give probiotics, as per their vet. And, we encourage them to drink more (filtered) water, and also soak their food.

All the best with Lola!

[SCDoug]

Struvite crystal experience here. It's important to keep the food as acidic as possible (no sugary stuff, preservatives and additives). If she's turning her nose to the kibble then she's telling you it's not the right kibble for her.

Both our current girls get cranberry capsules 2X daily, as per their vet. Both girls have had no crystals for 2 years now. We also give probiotics, as per their vet. And, we encourage them to drink more (filtered) water, and also soak their food.

All the best with Lola!

Thanks for the info! Just curious...what kibble are you currently feeding your girls? I’m open to new ideas. We went back to the Royal Canin SO kibble this morning and tonight (we had some on handy). Lola gave me a slight exhale (the Lab huff), but at least she ate it.

[Black Labbies]

Our girls are RAW/homemade fed. Both girls are currently on a beef dinner, with Opal getting less meat and more veggies and basmati rice (the latter 2 home-boiled) and Ursa eats more beef dinner with added sweet potato and veggies (also home-boiled). They also each get a raw chicken neck and selected fruits as snacks.

As I mentioned, it's important to keep the water going in as this helps dilute the urine to prevent crystals from forming.

At least Lola ate the kibble, and Royal Canine is a good brand.

[SCDoug]

Hey Black Labbies - Thanks again for your response! We started giving Lola the cranberry capsules today. I also read an article about tap water, and the potential impact on crystals. We have hard water with lots of minerals, so that’s one other variable that we can try and eliminate.