Bladder Stones & horrible skin!!!!!!

[Kids&Dogs]

Help!!!!!! I am at a crossroads regarding my 13 year old Sheltie Jake. He developed skin issues about five years ago. He was on Pro Plan Turkey which seemed ok for his skin for most of his life. He was a Champion showdog for most of his life and had a gorgeous coat. While on this food though, he did develop crystals which I understand to be hereditary. He had surgery because he had bladder stones which were removed in 2004. Well after this he developed horrible scratching, blood was everwhere. He has since had allergy issues. He scratches throughout the year (we live in Wisconsin) but especially in spring and fall. We have been able to control scratching with benedryl, where there is no blood and hair actually grows back but I can still tell he is not content. The other day Jake had blood in his urine, took him to our vet, and of course he has developed crystals in his blood again. We are at a crossroads, do we put him on the diet to reduce crystals to have him scratching the hell out of himself, OR do we keep him on his fish and potato diet and give him a daily pill to break down those crystals? Please help, anyone who has had experience with this combination of issues before. I need someone who really understands my problem.

 

[Storee's Mom]

Can you find a good holistic vet that can help with possibly a raw diet? Sounds like a food allergy issue on top of the crystals. Covering up the allergy symptoms with medication just adds to the problem in the long run too. I have skin allergies and can 'heal' the problem with steroid cream but what happens is the next outbreak is just worse.

A raw diet has a lot more water in it then kibble and the lack of grains should help with the stone issue as well - and there are herbs that will help too.

Check with raw food stores in your area, as well as vets who offer alternative treatments.

Lana

 

[Linds]

I agree, finding a holistic vet and working towards a raw diet would be ideal and more than likely eliminate the allergies and be great for the crystals, one of the main reasons those come about is because of the lack of water in the diet and the diet itself.

Start doing some research on it and see what you think. I highly recommend it and feed one of my dogs all raw and my other two half raw.

Your other option would be a high quality grain free food or a high quality food with higher quality grains and adding water to the kibble or feeding canned food.

High Quality-Grain Free Foods

Innova Evo
http://www.naturapet.com/brands/evo.asp

Orijen
http://www.acana.cz/orijen/orijen/

TimberWolf OceanBlue & Wild and Natural
http://timberwolforganics.com/s.nl/it.A/id.98/.f?sc=2&category=-102
http://timberwolforganics.com/s.nl/it.A/id.85/.f?sc=2&category=-102

Natures Variety Raw Pellets or Freeze Dried
http://www.naturesvariety.com/content.lasso?page=1136

Natures Variety Instinct Grain Free
http://www.naturesvariety.com/content.lasso?page=1136

Wellness Core
http://www.omhpet.com/wellness/dog_wellness_grain_index.html

Barking at the Moon, Solid Gold
http://www.solidgoldhealth.com/products/showproduct.php?id=81&code=120

Taste of the Wild
http://www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com

Ziwi Peak
http://www.ziwipeak.com/Products/ZiwiPeak-Cuisine/

Blue Wilderness
http://www.bluebuff.com/products/dogs/wilderness.shtml

Fromm Surf and Turf
http://www.frommfamily.com/products-fs-d-d-grain-free-surf-and-turf.php

Petcurean GO Natural Grain Free Canine
http://www.petcurean.com/index.php?page_id=179

Horizon Legacy
http://www.horizonpetfood.com/products-legacy.asp

Wysong Archetype Canine/Feline Diet
http://www.wysong.net/Merchant2/mer...Code=WDAR7-5&Category_Code=CD&Product_Count=7



High Quality-Not Grain Free

Nature's Logic
http://natureslogic.com/

California Natural Sweet Potato and Herring
http://www.californianaturalpet.com/products/default.asp?id=1326

Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul
http://www.chickensoupforthepetloverssoul.com/

Innova
http://www.naturapet.com/brands/innova.asp

Wellness
http://www.omhpet.com/wellness/

Life's Abundance
http://www.healthypetnet.com//healthypetnet/home.aspx?realname =

Solid Gold (other than grain free)
http://www.solidgoldhealth.com/

Artemis
http://www.artemiscompany.com/products.asp?cat=fresh_mix

Blue Buffalo
http://www.bluebuff.com/products/dogs/organics.shtml

Fromm (other than the grain free)
http://www.frommfamily.com/products-fs-d-d-duck.php

Canidae
http://www.canidae.com/

Petcurean GO Natural (other than the grain free)
http://www.petcurean.com/index.php?page_id=181

Horizon Complete
http://www.horizonpetfood.com/products-complete.asp

TimberWolf (other than the grain free)
http://timberwolforganics.com/

Nature BrightLife (no website)

Evanger's Pheasand and Brown Rice
http://www.evangersdogfood.com/dog/40100.html

Merrick
http://www.merrickpetcare.com/store/dry_dog_food.php

Nature's Variety Priarie
http://www.naturesvariety.com/conte...n=naturesvariety:444E49CD02ee81BFC0RVu40D26F3

Pinnacle Peak (no website)

Show Bound Naturals
http://www.healthypetfoodsinc.com/show.cfm

O&M
http://www.ompetproducts.com/

The bad thing (or good thing depending on the opinion) is most, if not all of these foods can not be purchased at chain pet stores such as Petsmart and Petco.

They can be bought at smaller independent feed, boutiques and supply stores.

Just go to each website and go to the "where to buy" then place in your address, that will get you many stores near you that sell these foods. It's a fun way to find independent pet stores near you, many who have very knowledgeable, friendly employees.

Hope this helped and good luck!

 

[Kids&Dogs]

Thanks for all of the tips. I will have to think this one out.