I feel like I am stuck between a rock and a hard-place and I'm hoping some here can help, or point me in the right direction.

We have just learned through testing by UC Davis' VGL dept. that one of our girls, Danika carries two copies of the gene and is considered "affected" with canine hyperuricosuria - in short, she is high risk to develop bladder and kidney stones. So far everything I can find says that she needs to be on a low-protein, low-purine diet, avoiding "High purine foods which should be avoided with a dog prone to development or uric acid stones are: organ meats (kidneys, liver, brain, heart), game meats such as venison, duck and goose, sardines, mackerel, mussels and scallops" (source http://midnightriderbrts.com/CanineHyperuricosuria.aspx - this was the most complete resource I've found, but my internet search skills are limited :frown: )

My vet doesn't believe in a raw diet, so I have not yet asked his advice on her diet - he has commented on how healthy our dogs are, though. Any advice at all on how to continue with her raw diet? Or is it best that I switch her to as natural a kibble as possible to maintain proper balance and nutrition?

I just want her happy and healthy....

This is a Dalmatian?

What was the result of the uric acid testing?


eta
I don't know firsthand about this. I have material saved.

Edited by Connie Sutherland (03/13/2011 12:36 PM)
Edit reason: eta

This is a Black Russian Terrier, the results of the test were HU/HU -
2 copies of hyperuricosuria mutation; dog is affected and susceptible to developing bladder/kidney stones

Any thing I can get my hands/eyes on to help with education on this would be great - This is the same thing that Dalmatians are affected by

Who said low-protein diet?

I believe (although I will check) that this is no more still accepted than the myth of low protein is still accepted for some other conditions.

Purine and protein are not inextricably linked, and it was apparently misguided (although widespread) to recommend low-protein diets. I don't still read or hear this myth, so I'm wondering how it was passed along to you.

I read it in an article that someone from our club wrote and published last year with the AKC - like I said, my internet research skills are not the best and I always would rather read lots of info even if conflicting to get the best possible education

Here's a good overview of what has been widely accepted for at least a decade (more like fifteen years) about the diet:

http://www.aplus-flint-river-ranch.com/article-healthydalmatiandiet.php

Scroll to The Healthy Dalmatian Diet and then to The Misguided Low-Protein Diet Myth.

 Quote: Claire Blythe

I read it in an article that someone from our club wrote and published last year with the AKC .... I always would rather read lots of info even if conflicting to get the best possible education

You actually won't read much conflicting info unless it's very outdated.

This paper from a decade ago confirms the misguidedness of the commercial low-protein diets (or it does to me):
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11702341

Here's an overview of how to switch a raw (BARF) diet to low purine:
http://www.ehow.com/way_5285086_low-purine-diet-dogs.html

What was the result of the circulating-uric-acid test? (I don't know what the test is called.)

I guess I mean any blood-work, aside from the genetic testing.

 Quote: connie sutherland

What was the result of the circulating-uric-acid test? (I don't know what the test is called.)

I guess I mean any blood-work, aside from the genetic testing.

LOL - I didn't know there was a blood test! Will this give us a better idea of how much UA is in her blood? We did the test based on the recommendation of our club breeder's committee because Danika just came back with OFA Excellent Hips and has passed all other "CHIC" health tests. She is a wonderful girl with a fantastic disposition and we were considering breeding her. I just got the results on Friday so I haven't really shared them - just started educating myself :smile: