Miniature Schnauzer with possible bladder stones

I have a 7 yr old male miniature schnauzer who has some blood in his urine. On a typical walk he starts out peeing fine (good flow and 'yellow') but as he gets near 'empty' it come out in drips and is rusty and sometimes red, and then will often go back to yellow drips on the same walk. He does not seem to be uncomfortable nor has his cheerful demeanour changed. This has happened to him twice before approximately 6 mos. ago and a year and a half ago, but has been cleared up with antibiotics. This time however, after a 2 wk course of antibiotics we have noticed little change in the condition. After urine re-testing at the vet they have still found red/white blood cells and some..I believe he said calcium oxylate? deposits. I know that miniature schnauzers are particularly susceptible to bladder stones. I am looking for some advice on possible recommendations for a new diet/dog food/treats to have or avoid. I'm told he should really be on a moist diet to help eliminate/avoid bladder stones. The vet has recommended Science Diet, but I have heard some negative feedback about that brand. Up to now he has had only dry dog food either Actrium Holistic or Purina One and hard dog biscuit for treats. Any feedback from someone who has experienced this situation would be appreciated.

None of the foods you mentioned are particularly good quality, including Science Diet (vets are typically clueless about nutrition). I think if you put him on 100% good quality canned food - the kind you can't get at the grocery store - or even a raw diet, you would see a difference. Our resident food experts will be able to tell you which brands are good for dogs susceptible to urinary infections.

We would love a picture. I am so partial to schauzers.

Here's his photo, as requested.

What a doll! I hope others, more enlightened than me, will post soon.

Hi there... your dog is gorgeous. He looks just like my boy that passed the middle of last year. My dad had a male schnauzer with the exact same problem. The vet put him on Royal Canin Urinary SO - the canned version. I believe they have the dry available as well. It worked wonders. He was on it for years. He passed at 15 yrs due to natural causes. Good luck! I love schnauzers. I've had them my whole life. :)

Thanks for your reply! Although I haven't tried any of the commercial brands of wet dog food yet, I had decided to make him up a home-made recipe which he loves and after only a couple of weeks it seems to be helping greatly, gradually the blood in his urine had decreased to the point that it has disappeared for 3 days now! I am keeping a vigilant watch on him as we hope to have him a very long time...he's our boy!

Even if the homemade diet seems to be doing the trick, I recommend having him tested again in a few weeks.

I would agree... get him looked at again. With Roscoe, my dad's schnauzer, it his bladder stones came on so suddenly - he almost died because he couldn't release any urine because of the blockage. Good luck!!

Will have him checked again to be sure. With Roscoe and the blockage, what was the course of treatment? Did he need surgery to remove the blockage? Our vet gave us a quote of $2300 if he were to require surgery...I know vet care costs, but it seems a bit steep.

Roscoe had to have surgery when the intial diagnosis of bladder stones was made. He was too blocked and it happend so fast. But after the surgery and the change of diet, he did very well. I believe he was 10 or 11 yrs when he had surgery. I don't believe he was on any other medications after the surgery.