calcium oxilate stones

[ddestefano]

Hi all I am new here and was looking for some advice.
I have a 9 year old yorkie who keeps getting calcium oxilate stones. He has already had 2 surgeries to remove them and they are back yet again. We are giving him potissum citrate 2x a day and he is on Royal Canin LF food which was reccomended by the vet to help reduce the formation of crystals, but if the stones are back then something is not working. We have gone for a second and third opinion and all the vets basically tell us the same thing. He is just prone to the stones and surgery is all we can do at this point. Unfortunately between the cost of the perscription food and the pot citrate comming up with 2000 for the surgery is extreamly hard right now.

So my question is has anyone else had to deal with this any advice on how to proceed?

thank you all in advance
Dan

[kjc]

Hi and Welcome to YT!
I am sorry your pup is having to go through this, and you too. I read the other day that this can also be a hereditary condition when pups have a missing gene that is responsible for processing the calcium.


My dog has LS and has been on coconut oil to prevent/disolve kidney stones for 1.5 years... I was told she , too, would need surgeries for the remainder of her life to remove bladder stones. Since she's been taking the coconut oil, there has been no evidence of recurrence of stones in either her bladder or kidneys. She weighs close to 15# and takes 4-6 cc of coconut oil daily.

http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/


http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/130616.htm

Calcium Oxalate Stones:
Calcium oxalate uroliths have been increasing in frequency in dogs. While they may develop in any breed, Miniature Schnauzers, Lhasa Apsos, Yorkshire Terriers, Bichon Frise, Shih Tzus, and Miniature Poodles may be predisposed. Most affected dogs are 2-10 yr old. Hypercalciuria leading to calcium oxalate stone formation can result from increased renal clearance of calcium due to excessive intestinal absorption of calcium (absorptive hypercalciuria), to impaired renal conservation of calcium (renal leak hypercalciuria), or to excessive skeletal mobilization of calcium (resorptive hypercalciuria). Absorptive hypercalciuria is characterized by increased urine calcium excretion, normal serum calcium concentration, and normal or low serum parathormone concentration. Because absorptive hypercalciuria depends on dietary calcium, the amount of calcium excreted in the urine during fasting is normal or significantly reduced when compared with nonfasting levels. Renal leak hypercalciuria has been recognized in dogs less frequently than absorptive hypercalciuria. In dogs, renal leak hypercalciuria is characterized by normal serum calcium concentration, increased urine calcium excretion, and increased serum parathormone concentration. During fasting, these dogs do not show a decline in urinary calcium loss. The underlying cause of renal leak hypercalciuria in dogs is not known. Resorptive hypercalciuria is characterized by excessive filtration and excretion of calcium in urine as a result of hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemic disorders have been associated only infrequently with calcium oxalate uroliths in dogs.Routine laboratory determinations should include serum calcium, phosphate, total CO2, and chloride to eliminate the possibility of hyperparathyroidism and renal tubular acidosis. Dissolution of calcium oxalate stones by medical means has not been established at present. Treatment requires surgical removal or lithotripsy followed by preventive strategies.Prevention Protocol:Recurrence is a major problem with calcium oxalate uroliths. An “ideal” diet is considered to be low oxalate, low protein, and low sodium, and would maintain urine pH at 6.5-7.5 and urine specific gravity <1.020. A few commercially available canned foods achieve these goals and may minimize the risk of recurrence. Potassium citrate may be added as needed to assure the urine pH is within the desired range; water may be used to provide appropriate reduction in urine concentration. If these urine conditions are achieved and calcium oxalate crystals are still observed in warm, fresh urine, then vitamin B6 and/or thiazide diuretics can be considered (although of unproven efficacy). Effectiveness of therapy should be reevaluated at 1- to 4-mo intervals by urinalysis. Chlorothiazide diuretics may also be of value.

http://veterinarypage.vetmed.ufl.edu/2011/08/22/first-laser-lithotripsy-patient-doing-well/

[corbitt]

I have 2 lhasas that each had stones. My male had calcium oxalate and my female had struvite. Both had surgery to remove the stones and the vet couldn't get them on a diet that would keep their urine from having crystals. I decided to go on my own and see what I could find. I found pawhealer.com. They have Chinese herbs for just about any ailment you can imagine. I worked with Mark. He sent me a powdered formula that I sprinkle on their food. That was about 4 years ago. No sign of any crystals! He also recommended I keep them on a grain free diet and use filtered water. As for coconut oil, I put it on their food to help with skin issues. I love coconut oil myself! Give Mark a call or check out their website. My vet was stunned that neither of my dogs had any issues within about a month after starting the treatment.