low in purines/wet

[Dianezz]

Hi,

My baby is recovering from an esophagul tear and infecton. He stillhas at least two months to go on wet food. I do not use home cooked anymore. He also has crystals so I am needing a low purine producing diet. He began eating ultra holistic puppy food. www.ultraholisticom It fits this special diet pretty close as far as Ican see. I wish it didnt have chicken, but that is still acceptable . aslo, he has stopped Having allergic reactions ...licking and eyes tearing. I am wonder ing what some of you use to keep from having urine crystals.

Thanks!

[Dianezz]

HI, I am posting agian as I really need some help here. I did a lot of research, but wonder what owners have really found they liked.

[Ellie May]

Since you would have to go through every ingredient to see if it is a low, medium or high purine food, it seems like it would take a long time if you don't just use a prescription diet.

Flint River Ranch has a line of food that is good for this but it is kibble.
California Natural canned would probably be my choice since there are so few ingredients or I would look at Evangers and see if they had something better.
The problem is, most of these companies use organ meats that are high in purines and may not even list them.

[Dianezz]

I am confused because the prescription diet I was given was fillers and meat by products only &he began tearing again. no veggies or fruits or whole grains to help deal with digestion of purines.

Yes , I have heard of the river food, yup you understand about the kibble situation.

Thanks for input!!!

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Dianezz

I am confused because the prescription diet I was given was fillers and meat by products only &he began tearing again. no veggies or fruits or whole grains to help deal with digestion of purines.

Yes , I have heard of the river food, yup you understand about the kibble situation.

Thanks for input!!!

Is there any way to soak the kibble for a few hours and make a canned texture? By-products could be organ meat, so that is strange that they would use them.
Some prescription diets make me want to .
Does it need to be low phosphorus too?

[Dianezz]

I actually don t know about phosphorus? I know the precription food really were disgusting. I love the food he is on now. Yes I can soften the food as I have done recently. I have also put into blender and then added water becasue for a while he needed puree food, But that casued very loose stools.
so if the kibble isnt too big and can take time to soak it up, that would be better. I guess basically it is finding a premium food product in general that owners have found reduces crystal formation. Maybe I sould retitle my post to see what others have done for I know this is common.

I do agree withthe food products jsut by looking at them on internet that you mentioned.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Dianezz

I actually don t know about phosphorus? I know the precription food really were disgusting. I love the food he is on now. Yes I can soften the food as I have done recently. I have also put into blender and then added water becasue for a while he needed puree food, But that casued very loose stools.
so if the kibble isnt too big and can take time to soak it up, that would be better. I guess basically it is finding a premium food product in general that owners have found reduces crystal formation. Maybe I sould retitle my post to see what others have done for I know this is common.

I do agree withthe food products jsut by looking at them on internet that you mentioned.

It's always worth a try to retitle this but I know that usually when I read about stones (and maybe crystals), the owner decides to use a prescription if that is what the vet wants to do.

[Dianezz]

Oh really, I am surprised....but i hear ya, since vets dont seem to really know much about nutrician and I love my vet...but the two prescriptions leave so much out! Even my Vet didnt seem all that enthusiastic!

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Dianezz

Oh really, I am surprised....but i hear ya, since vets dont seem to really know much about nutrician and I love my vet...but the two prescriptions leave so much out! Even my Vet didnt seem all that enthusiastic!

Yorkieluv might have some ideas for you since she homecooks (I think she uses low purine foods because her dog gets stones) and she might have a canned food recommendation. She hasn't been on in awhile though.

[Dianezz]

Thanks for all your help.

BTW i raised my family in Holland , MI

[sadiesamie]

what type of crystals? Calcium Oxalate or Struvite? My Samie was producing calcium oxalate crystals and we used Potassium citrate granules on her food once a day. It came with a little scoop and i used 3/4 of that scoop. she is 6.5 lbs. i bought it from the vet 1 time- it was way over priced through them though. I ended up getting it from Entirely Pets. it was the cheapest out of all the online pet meds. BUt please talk to your vet first about this and find out what type of crystals. Also it is a super great idea to start asking for a copy of all labs and urinalysis tests done and put them in a 3 ring binder. (very... important)


ALso- i do have to ask- check with your vet and ask them if they test the urine "in house" OR do they send it out to the lab. If they send it out the urine sits around and it will form crystals. Ever since we started seeing a specialist for our girls... Samie is NO LONGER producing crystals. No longer on the potassium citrate granules either. They test the urine immediately and they took it cystosis method. (not free catch)

I cannot even begin to tell you how relieved i was that she is no longer producing crystals... and to tell you the truth- maybe she never was bc the urine was sent out to the labs and never done in house. Also note what the ph of the urine is. you can buy test strips at the Vitamin Shoppe. YOu would have to search for a store near you. They are not cheap- 20.00 for a roll. But at least you can test the ph and know if it is going up or down.

Also- a big thing I have learned from YTer's is MOISTURE. In addition to testing the urine in house - I measure out the girls food in tupperware bowls. I rotate 2 of them. I cover the food with water and refrig over night. I pop it in the micro for 20 seconds to remove the chill. I swear by wetting the food and them getting moisture that way REALLY helped with the crystals. BIG TIME!

Hope this helps. A lot of people will help you in any way they can. Also in the mean time search for other posts. you will find a lot of answers to a lot of your questions. I remember spending hours on end researching different posts and I was so overwhelmed by the info on here.

Good luck and keep us posted. :-)

[Dianezz]

Thakyou sadie.
they are calcium crystals a nd they are inhouse tested. I really appreciate your help and how you relate. BTW I have increase water for now as that is my safest bet until i get this all straightened out.

[Yorkieluv]

If they are calcium oxalate stones, then you need to stick with low oxalate foods. Are you familiar with which foods are low in oxalate? You should be able to find a chart online to show you. Stay away from med to high oxalate foods. Check every ingredient in the food you are feeding.
Moisture is extremely important, so I would stick with a canned food and high moisture treats like bits of watermelon(seedless).
Moisture helps keep the urine dilute and therefore prevents stones/crystals from forming.

[sadiesamie]

Originally Posted by Dianezz

Thakyou sadie.
they are calcium crystals a nd they are inhouse tested. I really appreciate your help and how you relate. BTW I have increase water for now as that is my safest bet until i get this all straightened out.

I would ask your vet about the Potassium Citrate Granules. You can check out the med online at entirelypets.com to learn more about the supplement.