Dog Food

We've got a Beagle with the same problem. Has had 2 surgerys to remove a bladder full of those crystals. It got better after first surgery, but then vet took her off the urinary food, and put her on weight loss food because she gained so much on the urinary food. Well, she then again ended up with a bladder full of crystals. Another surgery later, she is back on the urinary food, and overweight. lol. Good luck, guess the spendy urinary food is better than the alternative.

I've never heard of this, sounds terrible. I goto nodak for all of my dog help. Link below will take you to the dog forum. Ask on there, or pm Bobm. That guy has a ton of information, as do many others. Hopefully this helps.

http://www.nodakoutdoors.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=54

if the dogs urine is too basic you might try giving it tomato juice,  i know it sounds weird but my gf used to give her boxer that she prevously had tomato juice because it's urine was so basic that when it urinated in the yard it would create dead spots in the lawn.  the tomato juice brought the urine back into balance.  just a thought, ask your vet if that might work.

I have heard of similar remedies such as that such as giving the dog orange juice or other fluids high in vitamin C. I have also heard that rich tomato based foods are not good for the dog. In the past when the dog has had table scraps (no longer does due to diet) that were tomato based she would get an incredible case of the runs so i don't know if it would help.

Like I said i want the best for her since she is a great companion for my little guy it is just that the pocket book is getting crunched right now especially with this time of the year and I am just looking for a few ways to help out. And no I am not taking it out on just the dog, I too have given up many things that I would have not even batted a eye at when it came to whipping out the checkbook, so this is a household ordeal.

I do want to say thanks for any help and suggestions, she is part of the family, heck it was even my wifes idea to bring the in to the house for the winter when it  would normally be out in her heated dog house and kennel. sorry for ranting, just don't want anyone to think I am depriving my dog of the best care I can give her.

What are the ingrediance in the special food from the vet? Have you checked other brands and compared ingrediants? Maybe try home cooking instead? Maybe talk to your vet and see if there is a cheaper alternative? Just some suggestions, good luck!

I am guessing these are struvite crystals?  Coworker is going through this with a new pup.  Guess some breeds are more susceptible.

Since one of the controlling factors is urine pH, yoiu should talk to the vet about ways to control that.  Worth a shot.

Dunno about dogs, but too alkaline in humans would be oxalate crystals.   Presumably the Tomato Juice, Orange juice, Vitamin C (which is ascorbic acid and acidifies urine nicely in humans) Cranberry juice (if you could get the dog to eat it) might acidify the urine.
Check with the vet, though.  Some things are very poisonous to dogs.  A friend  found out the hard way Grapes, Chocolate of course, etc. I'd sure want to check about Cranberry juice or anything that might be a third cousin to the grape family.  
 Probably lots of stuff humans eat with impunity could kill or sicken a dog.  So be careful.  The expensive stuff may be the only solution.

Not sure I have too many answers, but did the vet recommend a certain serving size of the special diet food?  Often times, I have found that those recommended serving sizes on the bag can be a bit excessive and cause the overweight issues as well as the empty pocketbook.  If the vet didn't recommend a certain serving size, try cutting back a bit on the special food, or mixing in some cheaper food, to save a few bucks if you HAVE to go with that particular type of food.....obviously only as much as the dog can tolerate to maintain a healthy weight though.  I know mixing isn't probably the best, but it may be an alternative if cost is the major issue.