Does my dog really need Prescriptive Dog Food?? Any alternatives?...

[KaitlinsMom]

My dog developed large Struvite stones in her bladder and had to have them surgically removed. The vet has now recommended that she eat only prescription dog food (C/D type). It's so expensive! I googled a little bit and saw some people just give their dog vitamin C pills and sometimes cranberry pills -

Any one have any experience with this?

Thanks!

Karen

 

[Dokietoes]

One of our cats has a tendency to develop urinary tract blockages/infections, and the vet perscribed a particular food only available through them. We found Purina "Special Diet" canned food for the particular affliction, and the cats have been fine with it for a number of years. We still get a particular dry food, IAMS, but via the internet...much cheaper than what the vet sells it for. Do a little looking around, and I bet you can find a moderately priced alternative.

 

[daisax]

If it's struvite crystals (and not calcium oxalate crystals -- very different and the treatments are opposite), before you switch to the crappy food, try these steps:

1) start giving the dog distilled water only. Sometimes dogs develop this problem in one home as opposed to another simply because of the minerals in the water supply. (The sort of thing that gets picked up when people move, or a show dog lives in different parts of the country at different times of the year, etc.)

2) Add a spoonful (I used a T for a 50-100 lb dog, but if yours is smaller, check with holistic dog websites for dosage) of apple cider vinegar to the food or water (whichever the dog prefers).

This alone may be enough to regulate the pH. Get some test strips from your vet and see if you can get it into the correct target range.

When I suggested this approach to my vet, he agreed it would work, just that "most people" wouldn't make that extra effort. Really? A tablespoon of liquid from a jar on the counter as opposed to switching to the equivalent of floor sweepings as a diet? I think most people are capable of that amount of effort!

This approach was successful for me and many friends in the show community. You do need to monitor the condition, of course, because the crystals can cause UTIs and eventually other problems if they are not managed.

To clarify, there are conditions for which prescription diets are your best option, but run of the mill struvite crystals are not one of them (at least not before trying holistic treatment)

 

[KaitlinsMom]

daisax - It is struvite - that is for sure -

Apple cider vinegar eh? - My dog is only 12lbs (Bichon) -

From what I have read about the new "food" is that it is crap, dogs don't like it, they don't want to eat it, and it is actually not a very good food for your dog - that is why I am looking for an alternative.

Can I ask you how exactly you use the test strips for the urine? And how often do you test? Sorry, I have no idea, but I am very willing to do this so I don't have to feed her that stuff!

I have read a little on ACV dosage and have found I should give her 1tsp - Do you feed your dog just regular dog food along with the ACV?

 

[KaitlinsMom]

bumping up

 

[almacdonald]

The dog food is cheaper than another surgery to correct bladder stones!

 

[Rora]

My cats are on the same type of food. It is so expensive.. It's like $3 a day for food. Sadly, I don't have any alternatives for you but I am interested in what people have to say..

 

[rcraw45425]

I had a Himalayan that developed kidney failure at around 10. I had her on the C/D then eventually the K/D food and I have to say that it extended her life by 3 years.

 

[daisax]

I haven't used the strips in years because the dog in question is gone, and once we started adding the ACV the problem pretty much stayed cleared up) but your vet could probably work with you.

I already fed a food that was low in protein (24% -- I think they urge you to get it to under 18%?) Foods that qualify are primarily grain based. That's not good nutrition, and why create more problems while attacking one very specific problem?


You might seek out a holistic vet -- there are many traditionally trained DVMs who have gone on to acquire more training and background in holistic approaches to disease and health. Best of both worlds!

 

[malibuconlee]

After spending $$$ on surgery for stones for our dog she's been on c/d and now w/d for going on 2 years and we've had no other problems. She ate the c/d OK, but seems to actually like the w/d even better!! Surprising considering the w/d is to control weight and stones.

 

[Sleepy]

We have to buy the prescription food for our dog. He has a terrible food allergy and if he eats anything else, he gets a nasty sore on his face that spreads like wildfire in 24 hours. It looks like someone has skinned him. I even have to be careful with the cat's food. We got a kitten last spring and within a week, it was so obvious he was eating the cat's food . We were embarrassed to have people over for fear they might think we neglect him.

I say if you can find an alternative, then try it, but if this is what your dog needs, then spend the money. My poor free street dog has cost me mega bucks over the last 3 years in medical care and routine maintenance. He has survived a tick disease, a sandfly disease, a double hernia, and has a severe food allergy. Recently, his hips have begun making snapping/popping sounds, so i fear the need for hip replacement and this dog is only 5 years old. This is why we limit ourselves to one cat and one dog at a time. We just can't afford more.