Cystine stones - Bladder stones

Hey, All. my 4.5 year old APBT recently had surgery to remove 3 cystine stones. I tired to read up on what I could but it all is medical jargon and nothing really, in Layman terms. Here is the situation

I take my dog to the beach 4-5 times a week. I started to notice, only after heavy beach excessive that he would pee DEEP red blood once, immediately after leaving then it would stop. This was happening for about 2-3 weeks and I had though maybe he tore something and it was a re-injury".
After that, he started having trouble peeing. I took him to the vet and they took a sample and said it was probably a urinary tract infection so they gave me 2 weeks antibiotic. Nothing changed

Then they finally did an xray and showed me the stones. They removed them.

I just went back to have another urine sample sent out to see if the levels are corect?

In any case, they are claiming that I have to feed this "prescription diet". This cost 45$ per 8lb bag and the ingredients aren't good at all.

They also said he may have to be neurtered.

My question is, has anyone had this issue. Did you use the prescription diet or fix your dog?

It is "Hill's prescription" diet

I would imagine I could get a similar food or figure out what needs to be "less" in the diet so that I can accomplish the needed diet without spending an arm and a leg on food? I usually feed half raw and kibble is Diamond Naturals Grain-Free.

I will get a second opinion but I feel like I am being 'sold" a food that really isn't 100% necessary

 

The prescription diet is absolutely necessary. It has special enzymes and ingredients added to change the urine's pH and help prevent the formation of more stones. The propensity for a dog to develop these stones is genetic, hence why they suggested you neuter him to keep him from passing that gene on if he was ever bred. Also, as an intact male dog ages, they can develop an enlarged prostate, which can cause urinary problems as well. So unless you want to put your dog through more surgery to remove more stones, I'd highly suggest following their advice