just so others can have info as well to review if it is struvite crystals here is some info i posted from the article on another group for an owner that had a dog with struvite crystals
It states that struvite crystals are usually formed from bacteria and that many times a uti is not detected on a urinalysis . It says uti that cause struvite crystals to become uroliths can raise urinary ph to 8.0 to 8.5.
The supplements that are used for dogs getting recurring uti are cranberry capsules, probiotics ( i have used for years dds plus from vitamine shoppe and really like this one) and vitamin C.
It states you should not change the diet for struvites as it is usually bacteria related. I would keep a dog getting these from reading this on probiotics for life.
It says that you should not switch to low protein diet but the reasoning why some say you should is because high protein provides urea, which bacteria convert or hydrolize into ammonia, one of the struvite building blocks so feeding low protein when symptoms occur is good but not for life. It says if stones are not present there is no reason to feed low protein diet.
Cranberry doesn't cure existing infection but it mechanically prevents bacteria from adhering to the tissue that lines the bladder and urinary tract.
( i know that juicing celery and zucchini together helps as zucchini cleanses the liver and celery cleanses the urinary tract so you can juice together and put pulp on food and poor juice over food as this will help as well)
Giving cranberry treatments in doses is more effective so best to do twice or three times a day as it continuously washes the bacteria out of the system so bacteria does not have the chance to create an infection
Holistic all-natural cranberry antioxidant cures dog itching, cat arthritis - Cranimals
Probiotics are the firstline of defense against infection so dogs prone to recurring infections like uti or skin infections or diarrhea issues should be taking these daily I think. Dee Dee takes 2 dds capsules every day 20-30 min before her meal in am and the one time i stopped she was a mess and had staph infections that took 2 rounds of antibiotics to kill and she had clostridium as well (diarrhea bacteria infection). It really works as I have seen it with her. The more beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract the better for dogs prone to infections.
While on antibiotics i double up probiotics so I treated dee dee where i gave her probiotic in am then antibiotic and always do MID MEAL so 1/2 food then antibiotic then 1/2 meal and i did this at night then 2 hrs after antibiotic i gave her probiotics before bed so she was doubled up after a dose of antibiotics with good bacteria as antibiotics kill all good and bad so you need to up the good so the infection does not come back after antibiotics are stopped.
Vitamin C is used as an anti-inflammatory - dogs unlike humans manufacture their own vitamin C but the amount they produce may not be enough if they are under stress in fighting infection
The ascorbate form of vitamin C is the most often recommended for dogs as it may be better absorbed and is less prone to cause gastro upset. Calcium ascorbate and sodium ascorbate are available in generic forms as powder but the most popular form is ESTER-C which contains calcium ascorbate and vitamin C metabolites.
Vets recommendations range from 250mg twice a day for every 15 to 30 pounds up to a max of 1000mg twice a day for large dogs. Vitamin C can cause diarrhea so start with small doses and increase gradually. Max your dog can tolerate without diarrhea is called bowel tolerance.
The herb uva ursi is used in many herbal blends because of its antibacterial properties - best to use short term as it can irritate kidneys.
( coconut oil is good as well as it is a natural antibacterial and antifungal)
its says adding salt to diet helps them to drink water but i would do organic low sodium broth on food before doing salt and would not do salt with a dog with thyroid issues due to iodine. It says unrefined sea salt is best as it contains dozens of minerals and trace elements that refined salt does not. It says a pinch of salt for small dogs. Increase at a pinch at a time to see if drinking increases. It also says you can make a broth but i buy the organic chicken broth low sodium from whole foods when demi had a high bun and was not drinking enough water so was dehydrated i added a little to her food to increase water consumption but she will only drink if bowl is fresh water otherwise she holds out
. I put the broth in ice cube tray and froze and popped out and kept in a freezer bag in freezer so i could preserve it longer and not waste it as organic does not last as long in fridge.
It says struvites can make a dog miserable so may be why you are seeing the rubbing and licking.