Expert: Kaza - 9/6/2010

Question
My bicon is 9.  Recently I have noticed she is slowing down
quite a bit - she used to run around like a pup so much it
was annoying, but now I am concerned because she is acting
lethargic, wants to stay home and sleep, etc.  She still has
some "pup" left too though.  Recently she went through
urinary tract problems which are better but is now on food
from the vet she is not that thrilled with to prevent
crystals.  I just don't know if she needs help or at this
age do they start to slow down due to age?

Answer
Hi Diane
of curse we all slow with age , however if she has crystals then this too will make her feel lethargic, I would give her cranberry extract tablets 500mg per day for 6 weeks to help those blighters dissolve, you will notice after a few days her pee is discoloured and appears cloudy this is what we are wanting as this is the crystals dissolving. Take her off dried foods and start to give her foods like cucumber, apple slices, fish with oils like cooked salmon, mackeral (not smoked though) give her chicken boiled and shredded and carrot batons , do this daily as its foods like these that will prevent stones, struvites and crystals. the problems usually stem from dried diets which all vets love but sadly like we as humans find with a convenience food it does not bode well with our systems.
Chicken broth with grated carrots in and a table spoon of ground oatmeal is wonderful , spinach, lamb , goats cheese, pork are all far better than dried foods and will result in a far healthier animal.
If you have any doubts please log into my forum and owners who have found this to be true will reassure you and your vet that ultimately this is how dogs should be fed.
www.eurobichons.com

Its FREE and just shout in the intro area and someone will help you and guide you through the diets, natural cures, health, training and chat areas

good luck