Diabetic/Pancreatitis/Calcium Oxalate

by Clayton L. Jobe
(Indianapolis, IN, United States)

Hello we have a 9 year old male Yorkie.

He has a yearly comprehensive physical, and a semi-annual check up.

In December 2008 we noticed blood in his urine. Took him to our vet and his food was changed to Science Diet K/D. A few months later, the blood came back. We took him to the vet again and he was diagnosed with bladder stones. We had the bladder surgery performed in Sepetember 2009 just after the blood reappeared.

Since then we changed his food to the California Naturals as the Science Diet K/D food was originally set for struvite stones not the calcium oxalate which appear to require opposite food intake (one more acidic, the other more alkaline). Science Diet recommends the K/D for either set of stones, but our vet agreed that it cannot do both.

He has been fine since the surgery. He was going to go today for his dental cleaning and an xray (to check for bladder stone formation as we know that these can recur). Last night he vomitted, so we informed the vet this morning that the dental cleaning may need to wait, but he seemed to be in pain in his stomach.

We received a call a few minutes ago and his blood sugars are nearly 400. He is diabetic and has pancreatitis. All we could think of was "What in the heck happened?" His food is only the California Naturals, his treats are an all natural that contains some cranberries that have been partially indicated to help with the recurrence of the stones. He normally gets 1-2 per day (3 calories each). I have read the best diets for both conditions (pancreatitis and diabetes), but was not sure how the calcium oxalate stone issue might also factor in to the equation. Your help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

My reply

Dear Clayton

If he has problem with calcium oxalate bladder stones i use to recommend Prescription Diet u/d. But this food might not be the best regarding the other two health issues.

On the other hand - no food will cover it all. You have to make a choice and make the best of it.

The food California Naturals is not one i am familiar with.

I have had a look on their homepage and think it looks fine.

The primary focus now would be to take care of the pancreatitis and stabilizing the diabetes.

But i do feel that these two issues is more flexible regarding choose of food. The prevention of calcium stones is much more limiting in the number of dog foods to choose between.

I am not aware if California Naturals have a similar to Hills u/d.

Most important ! Don't blame yourself for these things to happen. I really don't think you have any reasons to do this.

You are shocked and that is normal. You ask yourself - Why!!

Looking for a reason, is a natural first step in the solution process. Your next question is: what can I do?

Dealing with the diabetes and pancretitis will be demanding and challenging. This is where i am sure you will soon will give your focus.

I haven't met your personally but i have a positive "gut feeling" and confident you will do anything you can do in order to make your little dog as happy as possible.

This attitude is so important!

I am sending you my thoughts and wish you all the best in this process.

Sincerely

DVM Per Schonbeck