Hello All, I hope this finds everyone well.
I am posting today because of a death in our family. Odyseus Of
Ithaca died Wednesday, January 4, 2006. He was our pure breed
dalmation that has been a part of our family for almost 12 years.
Almost 1 year ago, Odie underwent a urinary tract reconstruction
surgery to try to save his life from urinary crystals. This is a
malady common to the pure breed dalmation male. Urinary Crystals
form in the urinary tract and close off the exit, not allowing them
to pee. The remedy is lifelong medication and special diet unless
they undergo the surgery. Odie was bad enough that he had to or he
would die. We were told the surgery was a success and that Odie
would be okay.
He was, for a year. Early January 4th, I noticed that he was
hunching and in great pain. As soon as the vets was open, we took
him in, hoping against hope that it wasn't what we suspected. It
was. Upon examination, the vet drew urine from Odie's bladder. It
was almost pure blood. The urinary crystals had returned. However,
they were no longer forming in his urinary tract, they were in the
bladder itself. There were no signs previous to that morning, so I
suspected nothing. Odie was put to sleep that day. There was
nothing the vets could do. He was too old and sick to live through
a surgery, even if that were a remedy. The crystals were so
extensive that they completely blocked the bladder. As I said,
there was nothing anyone could do.

I am relating this because I want others to know about this malady.
I know I am not the only Dalmation owner in Lawton. I would like to
give you a few things you can do:

1. before buying a dalmation, research their genetic parents and
make sure that the urinary crystals are not in their genetic line.

2. put your beloved pet on an all natural diet. There is one out
there. The expensive lifetime dogfood is not the answer. Odie got
crystals while eating their "preventative dogfood".

3. keep a close eye on any symptoms that show up:
a. no longer eating or drinking
b. hunching (looks like they are humping while trying to pee)
c. their ears get extremely hot
d. they growl when they are in pain (not menacing, but
constant) because all movement hurts

4. If any of these things occur, take them to a vet immediately.
If their urinary tract is blocked for 4 hours, the bladder will
burst and they WILL die.

Thank you for your time.
Goddess Bless
Sherrie