Dandelion and Struvite Crystals

Question:

I would like to try your dental products but I have questions. I have two elderly bichons, a female, 16, and a male, 15. The female just got over a long bout of struvite UTI after treatment for lyme's and then treatment for sarcoptic mange from a visiting mangy red fox at our bird feeder. Needless to say her immune system needs help.   

I do not want to do any more dental anesthesia, so we brush the dogs' teeth daily, but would like to try your dental products because brushing is not enough. The male when we got him had to have most of his teeth removed because of gingivitis and we want to save the rest of his teeth. Would your products containing dandelion be OK for the female dog prone to UTI (struvite type) in her old age?
Our vet keeps wanting to update the dogs' vaccination but I keep stalling. I just do the rabies now in their old age and both dogs, and the cat, eat a homemade diet ever since we got them.

Response:

Hello Debi,

Thank you for your inquiry to Holistic Pet Info. It is admirable dental health maintenance that you brush your dog’s teeth daily. The Gumz n Teeth supplement is excellent to decrease gingivitis and tooth decay. Since your dog has a history of Struvite crystals, it may not be the optimal supplement because the dandelion contains magnesium. This mineral is part of what makes up struvite crystals. The supplement also contains calcium which is a component of another bladder crystal called calcium oxalate. Your dog may do well on the Z-ridge bones to decrease plaque and help with bad breath.
If your female has alkaline urine, which is concurrent with struvite crystals, she may do well with urine acidifiers. Cranberry Relief or Urinary Support Gel by NaturVet both have acidifiers that may decrease the incidence of UTI’s. If you can keep your females urine at a neutral ph of 7 then the tooth supplement should not be an issue. Best of luck.
Sincerely,
Colleen Smith DVM, CVA