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Permalink Reply by Liz on May 15, 2009 at 1:39pm

My neighbour told me a few days ago that Costco kirkland dog food is voted the best. and she got the message from her friend working in a recue organization and there are a group vet or scientists have been doing research in this area. I'm always costco member but never buy their dog food (actually the price is much cheaper than what we buy now).
here is the link I find online: http://www.nextdaypets.com/directory/dogs/forum/3213.aspx

It is said there is no wheat or corn in the ingrediants. sounds postive for me, I'm going to give a shot.

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Permalink Reply by John Wolff on May 15, 2009 at 5:34pm

One would think Step 1 is to determine the composition of the crystals. Then you can speculate about what if anything to do about them. Cause? Symptom? Irrelevant? Sounds like you have some homework to do. Maybe get a 2nd opinion?
Ew, this unpleasant possibility just came to mind -- has she eaten anything from China? Are these symptoms consistent with melamine poisoning?
I've noticed that everyone I know who's passed a kidney stone is always drinking a lot of water -- uninclined to repeat the process -- is increased fluid intake helpful to dogs in this situation?
What about shifting the pH(acidity) of the urine (you know, how people prone to bladder infections drink acidic juices like cranberry)?

Is this "Hill's Science Diet Dog Food"? I was going to caution you that just because the companies bribe vets with free samples etc. doesn't mean their product is bad a priori, but I googled this and the 2nd & 4th listed ingredients are brown rice and whole grain wheat, respectively. Grains are out-of-favor with some people.
My best to LaVerne. She's too cute to be unhealthy.

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Permalink Reply by LaVerne & Shirley on May 15, 2009 at 6:39pm

Thank you John and Liz for your responses.
LaVerne acts fine....eating....playing....drinking. She just needs to pee more than usual. I havent seen any blood in her urine today. Last night was alarming tho.
I cant think of anything she could have eaten that would make her sick....toys, food, treats, but who knows with her. She has been known to eat rocks and has poo'd stuffing from one of her stuffed animals before. Needless to say she doesnt get stuffed animals anymore....lol.
Thats a good point to increase her fluids. She has never been much of a water drinker so I have been trying to entice her into drinking and giving her ice cubes to munch on.
The Vet said the ph level is very neutral and if anything to increase her protein intake. Well I have news for her. She wont get that from the Hill's Prescription Diet c/d Canine Dry Food she prescribed. Here are the ingredients:

Ground Whole Grain Corn, Pork Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Chicken By-Product Meal, Soybean Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Soybean Mill Run, Chicken Liver Flavor, Calcium Sulfate, Soybean Oil, Flaxseed, Iodized Salt, L-Lysine, Choline Chloride, Dicalcium Phosphate, Vitamin E Supplement, vitamins (L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), preserved with BHT and BHA, Taurine, Potassium Chloride, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Beta-Carotene.
Im no expert but that doesnt impress me. I think I will leave her on her Solid Gold, increase her fluids, give her the antibiotics , watch her real close, and see how her urine tests in a few weeks. I was hoping there was a magic pill out there to cure her or at least a 2nd option to Hills Science. Oh well.....lol
Again thank you so much for taking the time to address my concerns. It really means a lot to me.

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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on May 15, 2009 at 7:38pm

Hi Tracey, John is right, the vet needs to analyze the crystal to see what it composed of, once you know what it is, then you can eliminate the cause to prevent further crystal development. I used to work as a PA and shadow a urologist for a a few years, if your vet prescribe Hills Science CD, there is a possibility of struvite-related urinary tract disease.

I like the fact that you are doing your own research and try to pick the best for your dog, however, you need to separate the BS and stop listening to regular folks's anecdotes, especially those who are not in the medical field. if you google lawsuits on bribery / hills science, you will find NONE, there are no court papers, no paper trails. Why? because bribing is illegal, the SECs will hold them responsible, just like Enron.

What folks say about Hill's Science so called "bribery" is the same as Taco Bell staff get employee discounts on Tacos, or If you work for Best Buy, you'll get staff discount on merchandise, it is call staff benefit, not bribery. Vets DO NOT get kickback like people said, if anyone have solid evidence, I want the names of those vets and address so that the Vet Board can take their vet licenses away. Search for the source and you'll find the truth.

It is a fact that Hills Science have the longest history and have done extensive research on pet food, yes, their food is NOT the best and there ARE better alternatives out there. So why do Hill's Science "sponsor" or "teach" vet student nutrition program? Because no one else have the long history and research facility / manpower to qualify. So until another company steps in, most vet school will stuck with Hill's.

Pet food is a tricky thing, there are no brand loyalty, just like other industries, people, management and company change. Read this article on food label by the FDA, it will give you more insight. Also Visit the AAFCO website, there are many articles that will give you the answer straight from the source.

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