| If the only test that is off was the urine acidity/alkalinity, then maybe it would be reasonable to consider whether diet might predispose him to kidney stones. Maybe it would be reasonable to think "prevention" in an otherwise healthy dog. Some breeds are more likely to develop kidney stones than others (Dalmatians, for one).
But losing ten pounds in six months when he is already thin - and the abnormal white count (were liver function and BUN and electrolytes tested ?) and pain in his front end (as Judy W suggested, was his spine checked?) - I think that warrants a lot of concern, and not about diet. There's never anything wrong with being aware of diet, but diet doesn't explain any of the other abnormalities.
Erlichia is just as deadly as Lyme's. I did not see that testing was done for Erlichia. Or Addison's, though that is more rare. Both of those can cause alkalinity. And Erlichia can cause "arthritis" symptoms.
I don't know how old Merlin is. I've made it a practice to get a full chem screen (CBC, electrolytes, BUN, liver function) and thyroid to start with on my recycled dogs to have a baseline (and possibly identify a non-symptomatic problem) . Many vets suggest this for geriatiric dogs, but I think it is a good idea for any age.
I know I worry too much, and Merlin is probably going to be just fine; I just would want my vet to be thinking of eliminating from the diagnosis all of the life-threatening problems first, and fast. Nothing wrong with mentioning diet, but that is not going to explain the labs or the pain.  |