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Huzzah! Jackson's urine-crystal problem is solved!
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New Haven, CT
Member Since:
27 December 2012
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14 June 2014 - 11:54 am
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For probably 6+ months Jackson has had struvite crystals in his urine.  Not much, maybe 3-4 per slide, or whatever unit they use.  These crystals, by themselves, aren't all that problematic, especially at his numbers.  But if more appear they can clog in his bladder and lead to stones.  So, we wanted to dissolve them.  First we tried adding water to his meals to dilute them.  Nope.  Then with the water, we added cranberry powder (Cranimals - awesome stuff!), but that didn't work.  Then, it dawned on me that with all the veggies he gets, he may be running an overly alkaline body pH.  His urine was strongly alkaline (pH = 9!).  This knowledge is fascinating: cancer doesn't grow well in alkaline bodies, so the fact that his urine was alkaline enough to support crystal formation was kind of, well, good.  Well, sort of.  We still wanted to get those things outta there!  He got lots of veggies at every meal and whenever we snack on them (we're big produce fans here).  Veggies help create an alkaline body pH.  So our latest attempt was to drop veggies from his meals for about 3 weeks.

IT WORKED!  No more crystals!  His pH today was 8 (which is still kinda high, but better than 9.)

Chemistry to the rescue!  We'll now go back to adding veggies to his meals, but now only at dinner time.  In essence, he'll get 1/2 dose of veggies, which, in all honesty, is probably his actual serving size.  I'm known to have a heavy hand with J-pod when it comes to his beloved veggies.

I brought home some kale and he about tore into it before I could get it ready for his dinner.  He can't wait for supper!

We'll recheck his urine again in about 3 weeks to confirm his pH is lower/same and no crystals.

YEY, we did it!

~ Katy & Whizz-master, Jackson

ps: thankfully, his vet was cool with this approach.  Normally, they like to prescribe a medication and put pups on crappy Hill's Science Diet.  We said PISS ON THAT!  We'll do it naturally.  Thank you.

ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12.  Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ!  No side effects.  We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments.  He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors!  Our love. Our funny little guy!

Member Since:
18 September 2013
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14 June 2014 - 12:39 pm
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Great news for both Jackson and you, Katy!

Glad to hear your scientific mind could figure this one out - without meds!

Many hugs

Linda and Tucker :)





Member Since:
16 October 2012
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14 June 2014 - 1:26 pm
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Yay Yay & Yay.  So glad  you solve that problem.  Kicking rocking it J.  Very proud of you

 

Hugs

Michelle & Angel Sassy

sassymichelle-sm.jpg

Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013

05/04/2006 -  Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19  fought cancer for 4 months.

"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."

Orrtanna Pa.
Member Since:
25 January 2014
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14 June 2014 - 2:38 pm
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That is interesting. My Corgi was just treated for a UTI because of crystals and frequent pee accidents. The accidents have stopped since the antibiotics, but I am going to ask if they checked PH on her urine. Corgis are sort of known for bladder stones. I would also like to try the cranberry. Did you get it online? She will have her urine rechecked( I am requesting it) next week at her spay appt. not sure how exactly to tweak her diet, as she is on a low grain, has brown rice, commercial food. I would like to try to avoid the Science diet thing. Not real sure of the quality of it.

TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed  and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater. 

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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14 June 2014 - 3:24 pm
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That is fantastic news, you guys are pawesome pawrents for sticking to your guns and treating it naturally. YAAAY! Thanks for the update, this will be a big help to others who face this tricky situation.

Jackson ROCKS, AGAIN!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

New Haven, CT
Member Since:
27 December 2012
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16 June 2014 - 7:54 am
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Thanks!  We're happy his pH is getting better and that his crystals are gone.  I'd actually like his pH to remain a little alkaline, since that's a good indicator of his overall body pH.  I should check his saliva too!  In a month or so we'll recheck his urine and I'll update this thread.  I'm curious to see what nightly veggies do...

Lori, I'll also PM you this info: I'd get your Corgi some pH test strips.  http://www.only.....042.aspx  It'd be interesting to keep a log of her urine pH when she is AND when she isn't having a UTI.  Overall, a more acidic or alkaline pH is bad for bacteria, so good for her.  I think, though, for common strains in urine you'd want a more acidic urine.  One of the better ways to do that is with cranberries!  Some vets, including Jackson's, think that's bunk, but there are loads of folks out there who don't and have seen the power of cranberries work magic.  I've tried feeding whole, raw and frozen berries to Jackson, but they aren't digested.  I've seen the proof!  Stick with powder.  We used the original Cranimals.  A store near us, PetValu, carries it.  But you can also get it at Only Natural Pet http://www.only.....00.aspx.  If you search this site by Health Concerns (bladder support), you'll see tons of products!  I liked this one b/c it is ALL cranberry.  And VERY concentrated.  For Jackson's weight, we gave 1 tsp AM and PM with his meals.  Read the reviews.  There's another product here, too, that's wildly popular: http://www.only.....41.aspx.  We didn't try, but the reviews are impressive....and impressive for pets suffering with common, never-ending UTIs.  I'm much more in favor of trying natural products before resorting to antibacterials.  Good luck!  Get the pH test strips, start a record book, and give some cranberry powder product and watch her improve!

~ Katy & Jackson

ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12.  Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ!  No side effects.  We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments.  He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors!  Our love. Our funny little guy!

Fort Wayne, IN
Member Since:
25 January 2013
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16 June 2014 - 9:11 am
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That's so great!!  Yay Jackson and mommy!  You guys rock.

Amy & Spirit Libby

Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13.  Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14.  She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self.  Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14

Orrtanna Pa.
Member Since:
25 January 2014
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16 June 2014 - 1:06 pm
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Thank you! We actually have a pet value not too far from us I will check it out. I agree, natural is better. She is getting fixed next week so That was why I was so quick to go with antibiotics. Now I just want to keep her healthy. She was a pretty good nurse to TY. Lori and TY

TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed  and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater. 

New Jersey
Member Since:
25 May 2013
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17 June 2014 - 10:01 am
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Good news for sure. Keep going strong Jackson.

Esther and her Snoop

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