Urinary Tract Infection in my Dog – Vet says it's food related and I don't understand why!?
My 10-year old dog, (un-neutered male rottie-shepherd X) had blood in his urine and I took him to the vet. They said he had crystals in his urine and to give him Novomoxin (4 tabs/day for 10 days). He finished his meds 2 days ago but he still had some blood in his urine! We went back to the vet and urine was tested. Vet said that he may possibly have kidney stones (X-Ray sched. tomorrow) and that he should get neutered as well.
Vet said the UTI was caused from lack of proper nutrition in dog food. I have been feeding him Natural Balance Potato & Duck (wet mixed with dry) for OVER 1 YEAR so my questions are:
1: Is the above food is not nutritious enough for him/low quality to cause the UTI (or any other health problems)?
2: Why is this happening now??
3: What exactly should a dog be eating for optimal health? Vet recommended Royal Canin, Eukanuba, Science Diet & ProPlan but I think there are too many by-products/additives and I want my dog to eat the healthiest food.
Please help!
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6 comments
;) on September 2, 2010 at 7:02 pm
I would not neuter a 9yo dog. They have more issues with swelling and pain after the surgery than young dogs do. Research that before you decide and get some more opinions. They neuter to try to control prostate issues, but in older dogs there are more pain issues.
For kidney issues try a higher carb diet. High protein, high fat put more stress on the kidneys. If he is already having uric crystals from kidney failure, you want to take some stress off the kidneys. I would use more rice, more potato, less protein. It’s easier for his body to digest carbohydrates rather than protein, so it takes some stress off his kidneys.
It’s happening now because as he ages, his kidneys become less functional. It happens to all geriatric mammals. Their kidneys become less efficient with age, so the uric acid builds up easier. And as the prostate ages and enlarges, it slows urine flow which gives more time for crystals to form.
mojos1966 on September 2, 2010 at 7:02 pm
Crystals and kydney stones are from a "mineral build up"…The dog is on a diet that is too rich in some minerals…An older dog needs way less minerals than a younger dog…Please switch him to a diet that is made specifically for dogs 9 years and older…And pleeease have him neutered…He’ll live a much longer if you do..
I forgot to mention…These minerals can also come from his water…If you have hard water, this could also be the cause…If you don’t know for sure, take an ounce of water to your local Sears store…They’ll test it for free…6 grains of hardness is concidered hard water, anything over 9 is concidered extremely hard…If you have hard water, you need to install a water softener (for the whole house), a reverse osmosis system (just for drinking water), or simply buy your dog distilled water at the grocery store..
pierced_chick123 on September 2, 2010 at 7:02 pm
Actually it was most likely caused b/c the food he was eating caused the crystals to form b/c it was high in certain minerals.. Each dog needs a different diet, so even though it may sound like its not health for your dog it actually is…and by-products are good for dogs not bad liek for humans. It takes time for stones to form so it very well could have taken that full year for teh stones to form..which means if you don’t change the diet in a years time they will form again.
jordie0587 on September 2, 2010 at 7:02 pm
Ok, well it might be from the food, but it’s not from lack of nutrition. There might just be too much of one type of mineral in that particular food. But it’s an excellent food.
Vets know next to nothing about nutrition. I know as much about nutrition (and probably you do too if your asking this question), if not more, than the majority of vets. I would NOT feed that food.
I would research a different food. A different HIGH QUALITY food.
I’m going to look some things up real quick. I’ll get back to this in a little bit.
ADD: Agreed with the first answer. Try finding a food formulated for senior dogs.
smwat03 on September 2, 2010 at 7:02 pm
It could be from the can food. Theres to much of some type of chemicle in the cans (i cant think of what) but I was giving my dog canned food mixed with her dry cause I was running out of dry and did not have enough to buy a bag of dog food until I got paid, and she ended up getting a UTI. Add a little bit of Vinager in her water and that will help to. My dog eats ProPlan either chicken and rice or lamb and rice, and she is very healthy.
libertydogtraining on September 2, 2010 at 7:02 pm
I recommend:
Flint River Ranch http://www.frrco.com/121668
And Nutro: http://www.nutroproducts.com/
And Blue Buffalo: http://www.bluebuff.com/
Crystals form over time. You really don’t know how long your dog has had them, and they may have just become big enough to post a problem to him.
Make sure when you switch his food you do it gradually. 75% old food mixed with 25% new for a week. Then 50/50 for a week. Then 75% new with 25% old for a week. Then 100% new. This will decrease the stomach upset associated with food changes.
Also, stay away from wet food. It is bad for them in so many ways!