Expert: Silva Mirovics - 10/31/2007

Question
Hi - My maltese/shih-tzu has had a problem with calcium oxalate stones.  She has had two surgeries.  The first was to remove a large stone.  About a year later she had another stone and removed smaller stones.  Our vet has recommended Hills U/D prescription diet.  My dog isn't fond of it and it sometimes gives her stomach problems.  I would prefer to cook at home for her if possible but have been told that I can't.  I have a hard time believing that canned dog food can be better than a home cooked meal.  I understand there may have to be certain proportions of each food that I give her but need help figuring this out.  Have you recommended diets for this problem before?  Are there supplements you may recommend?  thank you for your time.

Answer
Dear Jill,
I hope my answer is not going to be too long, so here goes:
Firstly, I am a little stunned as to the reasoning why you can't give your dog home prepared meals.  I would never give, nor never recommend any commercial dog food - dry or canned.  Raw food is always the best choice, and adding some home cooked food is fine, as long as a canine supplement is used as well.  The more cooked a food is, the less nutritional value and life force is left, that is why raw is the best choice (for humans and animals alike).  Adding an all-natural supplement would be great, as would an enzyme forming supplement that contains probiotics as well.  Use organic products where possible, and always read the ingredients to make sure that it is natural.  
Foods to avoid are heavy proteins (most organ meats) that are hard to digest and nuts, chocolate, most fruits and some veggies (beetroot and kale) and berries as these are acid forming (chocolate and nuts should never be given to a dog).  Low fat yogurt and cottage cheese is good, as are meats such as free-range chicken, turkey or beef which you can cook or serve raw, and wholegrain rice.  The aim is to keep the body more alkaline so the stones don't form.
Adding Colloidal Silver (5mls) to the daily drinking water will also help.  This should be done for two weeks on, two weeks off, and continue this for about 2 months.
RoseHip tea is also fabulous.  Rosehip tea is a great kidney and adrenal tonic as well as a source of Iron and vitamin C, so I would add a few teaspoons to meals, or give as a separate drink.  Use organic tea where possible.  
Dogs on raw meat of course get plenty of iron anyway but the heart will benefit from an adrenal boost and the kidneys will be involved in blood cleansing and boost the dog's own immune system’s efforts to discharge infections.  
We have a FREE article on our home page about what to feed your dog.
We also have herbal kidney stone tonics that can clear up the problem.  The herbs in the mix to treat the problem include Uva Ursi, Rosehips, Dandelion, Echinacea, Garlic, Pellitory of the Wall and Equisetum along with the Bach Flowers Agrimony, Willow, Mimulus, Rescue Remedy.
Please let me know if I can be of further assistance to you Jill.
Kind regards,
Silva.
www.roxysworld.com.au