Dalmations and Bladder Stones

[Jaybay]

Hi Dr. Cheng.  We recently adopted Doc Holliday, a dalmation, from a local rescue group.  He appears to be about 2 years old, and we were told that dals have a tendency to develop bladder stones.  I understand they need a chicken or lamb-based diet (no beef) and wonder what other dietary measures we need to take.  Are there any supplements we should give him to help prevent stone formation?  Maggie, our other pup, is a dal x lab mix, so is it correct to assume she likely has the same tendency and should be treated the same as Doc?  Both dogs have water available inside and outside and are very good about keeping themselves hydrated.  Thanks!  :-)
Jen

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

There are several causes of high BUN and Creatine.  They can become elevated if there is a urinary tract infection, a kidney infection or a prostate infection, or the elevations  can be caused by damage to the kidney (either kidney disease or kidney failure).  A urinalysis with a microalbuminuria test will determine if it is an infection or kidney failute.  Lyme disease can commonly effect the kidneys also causing kidney failure.  So if it has not been performed yet I would have your dog's urine tested and perform a lyme disease test.

I don't think that the Jalapeno peppers could cause lasting kidney damage.  

Infections can cause transient elevations in blood urea nitrogen and creatine which will return to normal once the infection is treated and resolves.  If there is no infection than your dog has kidney damage  or kidney failure, and you will have to treat agressively to save the kidneys by using Sub Q fluid therapy, phosphate binders if the phosphate is also elevated, kidney saving herbs such as Rehmannia 8 and more.  Please write back once you have additional test results.  Thanks.

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

It is the Purine component of certain proteins that form the basic components of uroliths (bladder stones).  Dalmations can have difficulty with a high purine diet.  

Choose a diet using the following guide from The Dalmatian Club of America:

FOODS HIGHEST IN PURINES
• anchovies
• brains
• gravies
• herring (including roe)
• liver (calf or beef)
• mackerel
• meat (beef, lamb, pork & ham, veal)
• meat, game (venison, etc.)
• meat soups & broths
• meat, beef extracts & by-products
• mussels
• organ meats (liver, kidney)
• sardines
• scallops
• yeast
FOODS MODERATELY HIGH IN PURINES
• asparagus
• breads & cereals, whole grain
• cauliflower
• eel
• fish (fresh & saltwater)
• legumes (kidney, navy & lima beans, lentils, peas)
• mushrooms
• oatmeal
• peas, green
• poultry (chicken, duck, turkey)
• shellfish (crab, lobster, oysters)
• spinach
• tongue
• tripe
• wheat germ & bran
FOODS LOWEST IN PURINES
• beverages (coffee, tea, sodas, cocoa)
• butter
• bread & cereal (except whole grain)
• cheese
• eggs
• fats
• fish roe (including caviar)
• fruits & fruit juices (avoid citrus)
• gelatin
• milk (including butter, condensed, malted)
• nuts (including peanut butter)
• pasta (evaluate sauce ingredients separately)
• sugars, fruit syrups, sweets (avoid chocolate)
• vegetables (except those above)
• vegetable & cream soups (made with acceptable
vegetables. but not with beef stock)

Prevention is important.
You should also monitor the pH of your dog's urine often, either by performing a dipstick yourself (Dipsticks=chemstrips,and can be purchased from your veterinarian or drug store) or via a urinalysis performed by your vet.  If a urinalysis is performed at your vet's a sediment could also be performed which checks for crystals.  Crystals are just small bladder stones, and with careful monitoring the crystals will be found before they are large enough to cause an obstruction or urolith.  
Dalmatian urinary pH should be maintained at: 6.5 - 7.0.  

[verver]

Thank you for you reply Doctor. the results from his urine test state that his sp gravity is 1.005 and proteins are present. Also his ph is 6.  everything else is normal. Also He gets these sneezing fits where heel szneeze continously for abt a minute. its as if he cant catch his breath. His x ray for the kidneys showed up clear.  One for thing doctor , How do i differentiate whether he might have chronic renal failure of acute renal failure. As i have read that the acute one is curible.  Thankyou for your help . I really appreciate your response..

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

There are several causes of high BUN and Creatine.  They can become elevated if there is a urinary tract infection, a kidney infection or a prostate infection, or the elevations  can be caused by damage to the kidney (either kidney disease or kidney failure).  A urinalysis with a microalbuminuria test will determine if it is an infection or kidney failute.  Lyme disease can commonly effect the kidneys also causing kidney failure.  So if it has not been performed yet I would have your dog's urine tested and perform a lyme disease test.

I don't think that the Jalapeno peppers could cause lasting kidney damage.  

Infections can cause transient elevations in blood urea nitrogen and creatine which will return to normal once the infection is treated and resolves.  If there is no infection than your dog has kidney damage  or kidney failure, and you will have to treat agressively to save the kidneys by using Sub Q fluid therapy, phosphate binders if the phosphate is also elevated, kidney saving herbs such as Rehmannia 8 and more.  Please write back once you have additional test results.  Thanks.

[verver]

Dr.  My dalmation is 8 years old now. He has been eating a Mix of carrots, Cauliflower and curd everyday since he was 1 for lunch, and chickent soup with roti which is made ou of wheat for dinner.  3 weeks ago he ate 2 jalepenos that were lying on a plate on the bed. and today after runing a random test on him for his liver and kidneys  find that his blood urea is 182 and his creatine serum is 5.1. What could be the cause of this doctor. and what do u suggest i do to get him to be better.