Canine Silica

Symmetrical evenly spaced spokes characterize the contour of this medium-radiopaque stone. When small, spokes appear as evenly spaced surface bumps.

Available clinical data provides a strong link between canine silica uroliths and consumption of specific dietary ingredients. Diets that contain substantial quantities of corn gluten feed or grain hulls are especially suspect. Water in volcanic areas has also been implicated in the formation of silica uroliths. The inert ingredient in some tablet medications, antacids, supplements, and toothpaste is silica.

• Determine if foods contain corn gluten feed, soybean hulls, and intact grains, which are high in silica. Grain-free foods may contain whole flax seed. • Determine if medications and nutraceuticals contain silica.

• Avoid foods containing high silica ingredients (corn gluten feed, soybean hulls, and intact grains). • Eliminate medications and nutraceuticals that contain silica. • Provide distilled water if living near volcanic rich soils (e.g. northwest America, Central America, Japan). • Potassium citrate if urine pH is consistently less than 7.0 (starting dose: 75mg/kg q12-24h).

• Low silica diets (e.g. Derm Complete, others). If needed, feed canned therapeutic foods or add water to achieve a urine specific gravity less than 1.020.

Urinalysis every 3 to 6 months to adjust pH to 7 to 8.0, and urine specific gravity to 1.020 and lower. Medical imaging every 6 to 12 months to detect recurrent stones when small to permit their easy removal without surgery.

We advise reviewing manufacturer's literature regarding selected therapeutic foods to determine indications and contraindications. For pets with multiple health concerns,we suggest that the selection of diet should take into consideration all health needs of the pet.

Canine Silica