I have a nine year old Papillon who has just completed his second surgery within twelve months for Brushite stones. For the whole year we followed closely the diet for Calcium Oxalate stones, to no avail, and now I’m in a quandary about what to do next. I have switched him to wet food, he does not like water at all, and I’ve thought of learning how to administer sub-q fluids. He oftentimes has UTI’s with several rounds of Clavamox and Batril and I was recently reading that some dogs have deficiencies in Oxalobacter Formigines, an intenstional bacteria, that breaks down oxalates. I was trying to find a product that might have this. That is what led me to your website.
My dog does not have Hypercalcemia so that has been ruled out. This week I am switching to distilled water as I find that Chloride causes excessive calcium, salt causes calcium, protein can contribute to calcium, and potassium citrate can contribute to calcium (so that’s out, I wanted to try that). Right now my dog is on Royal Canin SO and I also make a homemade buckwheat groats and chicken brew.
If you could recommend some of your products I would be happy to try them. I read that of all the oxalate stones Brushite is the most frustrating and forms quickly. I would do everything I could to avoid a third surgery.
Thank you so much for your kind attention and for all you do for our animal friends.
Hello Bonnie,
Thank you for your inquiry to Holistic Pet Info. I unfortunately do not have much experience with Brushite stones. It seems like you are doing all the right things to reduce the occurrence of the stones. One thing you may consider is they are more likely to form in acidic urine. Therefore, you may want to consider a more vegetarian diet. Protein diets will alkalinize urine.
I don’t know of any commercial probiotics that contain oxalobacter but an excellent overall probiotic that may support GI health is Dr. Mercola’s Complete Probiotics for Pets. Certain medications such as steroids and diuretics also enhance calcium excretion.
He may be a candidate to flush his bladder routinely to keep the crystals from forming into stones. The procedure can be done awake or with light sedation so it may be an option. Hopefully this info helps. Best of luck.
Regards,
Colleen Smith DVM, CVA, CVCP