Dachsund with Possible Bladder Stones
Answered by: Kerry Hackett
Question from: William Cheney
Posted on: April 02, 2006

Our 10 year old short-haired dachsund was at the vet’s about four months ago for incontinence and was diagnosed with possible bladder stones. It resolved somewhat on antibiotics but recently she is showing similiar symptoms. We were told the following:

"Infection-induced struvite typically involves the use of a calculolytic diet as it acidifies the urine (increases struvite solubility), has decreased substrate for urease-producing bacteria (low protein), and decreased levels of magnesium and phosphorus. Diuresis is enhanced by added sodium chloride and decreased protein levels in the diet. Ingestion of protein-restricted diets (of this magnitude) leads to low serum urea nitrogen levels and, subsequently, low renal medulla urea concentrations develop. This results in the production of dilute urine. In addition, decreasing the concentration of the urine also decreases the concentration of calculogenic substances."

We are looking for any other alternatives. Could we develop our own diet with supplements, herbs etc.?

The best places to start for information regarding good, homemade diets are the following books: Richard Pitcairn’s "Natural Health for Dogs and Cats", "The Complete Herbal Handbook for the Dog and Cat" by Juliette de Bairacli Levy and "The Barf Diet" by Ian Billinghurst. There you will find quite alot of information to start you towards a diet easily made at home. Supplements to look at would be: cranberry juice concentrate at 1/4 human dose, vitamin C at 125 mg twice a day and vitamin E at 50 iu once a day. There are many syptoms that can accompany bladder stones and each would factor into a herbal formula. The best herb to start with would be Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) as it’s demulcent properties can soothe and relax the urinary tract as well as reduce inflammation. You may find that with the change in diet and supplements listed above, Marshmallow may be the only herb required.

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