Help! My 2-1/2 yr old Malamute was diagnosed with struvite crystals. My vet had me change to a food with less phosphorous, ash and protien, I went with Nature's Choice Weight Management. Another urinalysis; he still was developing the struvite crystals so the vet said no choice but Science Diet CD....

He started developing a sore at the underside base of his tail. I asked on the two visits back if this could be a food allergy: NO. Immediate response. The first time I was given antibiotics - it cleared up the problem. The second time, my vet said that my dog had bent his tail too far even though the spot looked exactly as it did the first time. He gave me pain meds, which I did not give my dog. He said if it didn't get better in a week, he wanted to knock him out and check his prostate. A day later, I called in for more antibiotics, and wow, it cleared up again in a couple of days.

So, I started researching a raw food diet, which he has been on for a week now.

The sore on his tail is still there and bothersome to him; I have run out of antibiotics and feel like I can't ask my vet for more - I get the feeling he will not be cooperative once I tell him I have been trying alternative food.

My dogs urine is dark yellow again, indicating that the struvite issue is still plaguing my baby.

I am at a loss - do I continue the raw food diet?

Do I let the vet knock out my dog and examine him in an area that doesn't seem to be affected?

The CD Diet has nothing in it but fillers and meal products; he's missing out on essential vitamins. Online, there are a billion stories of skin allergies associated with this food. Antibiotics will eventually destroy his immune system.

The raw diet is seemingly bringing back the issues that started this journey into the unknown.

ANY help/input would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

Hi, I am a vet tech and have seen alot of dogs and cats with urinary problems anything from stuvites crystals to other problems.  the problem with struvite crystals is that if he gets to many they can turn into stones and creat a whole different problem all together.  The s/d diet is a great one for this problem but I can understand your dilema with the sore on his tail.  ask your veterinarian if you can have a referal to a dermatologist for canines (yes they do exist). to make sure there are no allergies while keeping him on a diet to lower the Ph in the urine.   also there is a website that has an all natural remedy the site is. 

www.nativeremedies.com/petalive 

the potion is a bit expensive around 36.00 a bottle but we have had a few clients use it and claim that it is a wonder syrum

also another site is :  www.pawhealer.com

they deal with a ancient chinese approach and there herbs can also be used to stop further crystals/stones from forming.

I hoped this helps a bit my thoughts are with you

Harlee Ann & Tammy

What kind of raw diet are you on? How long? Posted below is a very good article from b naturals, hope it helps. You may also want to look for a Holistic vet in your area.

YOU know your dog best...and if you are afraid to tell your vet what you are doing with the diet, maybe you should consider another vet. I was naive when I got my puppy last year. I went to the vet I used for my cat and long story short...got wise, tried 3 more vets until I found the one I use now. He cares about all the issues Soph has and works WITH me on her diet. He doesn't pretend to know anything he's not sure about. Keep in mind, most vets only take 1-3 nutrition courses. While it helps, you are in charge of what your dog is eating and after research will probably find something you can be happy with for him. GOOD LUCK!

I don't know anything about this problem, but I will agree with SophyraMom - if you don't have a relationship with your vet where you can communicate honestly and feel that your concerns and your dog's health are being properly addressed - it is time for a new vet.  It is easy for doctors of all stripes to occasionally forget who the customer is.  I would try once again to communicate with the vet.  If you don't feel that you are being taken seriously and your dog's health being properly looked after - then change vets.

On the other hand, it doesn't seem to me to be a big deal to knock the dog out and check his prostate.

But, then again - I don't know anything about this problem.

Jim, SUE, & DANNI

I just want to say thank you to everyone that has responded and give a brief update: We have come across more food allergies and have switched back to Nutro's Natural Choice Dry food mixed with various vegetables that will hopefully help with the struvite issues (fingers crossed). My baby's poor tail was COVERED in hot spots and he was miserable after the beef and liver diet but now he is pretty much all healed from that and his tail fur is beginning to grow back.

The closest holistic vet is about 4 hours away.

My vet finally listened to what I was saying and said it was a food allergy.

Now I'm hoping and praying that the hot spots don't come back and the crystals will stay gone.

He's back to happy, running and tearing up my house like he's suposed to :)

Again, thank you for all of the advice: I am going to look into a couple of things mentioned here and see what comes of them.

I appreciate you all :)