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Recurring Uroliths

by Marta - February 25, 2010

Hi Steve,

I am treating a 8 year old Yorkie, (overwieght, pale lavender tongue, deep and slippery pulses) for his second bout of uroliths in 6 months.
After the first calcium oxalate cystotomy (July 2009) the owner fed him only home cooked chicken, duck, cauliflower, white potatoes, avocados,cabbage (only low calcium foods).
He underwent his second cystotomy this week - no crystals in his U/A - due to urinary obstruction!! His was completely asymptomatic until the day he blocked.
Do you think we can help this dog to stop producing stones?

Marta

by naturevet

February 26, 2010

Hi Marta,

We have had really consistent success in preventing uroliths, calcium oxalate and otherwise. I'm not sure why the formulas are working, but theorize they are preventing the seeding of the urine by organic debris. I believe this debris forms crystal nidi, and arises from low level renal inflammation. A careful analysis of Chinese medicine theory suggests this might be the case, and will be indirectly investigated this summer at the University of Tennessee.

Wei Ling Tang matches the clinical picture you've presented, and one of its main herbs, Alisma, has been shown to prevent calcium oxalate crystal formation in several studies. That's where I'd start. And continue to minimize not so much calcium, but processed foods and starches that would promote a potential inflammatory effect on the kidneys.

Good luck!

Steve

by flaviaz

April 4, 2010

Steve
Do you have any experience using these herbs in guinea pigs and rabbits with calcium stones, and in rabbits with calcium sludge?

by naturevet

April 6, 2010

Not specifically, no. But all the studies on Alisma and its prevention of calcium oxalates were done on rats, so there seems to be an ample cross-species effect.

S

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