I thought regulars might appreciate an update on Max.

1. Tummy Aches: Max has been taking Actigall or a (much cheaper) generic
version for over three months now and has not had an episode where he
stops eating for hours and behaves as if he is in considerable pain. The
veterinarian wants me to continue with the medication (Ursodiol). We
just started a 100 capsule bottle ($144) where Max takes 1/2 capsule per
day.

2. I had thought that Max's tummy aches were due to the high fat
diet he was put on to prevent his calcium oxalate stones. So,
I switched to a homemade diet. Eventually, I consulted with
a veterinary nutritionist (per Buglady) at:

http://www.petdiets.com/

The nutritionist was concerned that Max was not geting enough protein and
vitamins/minerals in the diet I was using from Donald Strombeck's book.
Max's diet, right now (per day) consists of:

1 cup black-eyed peas cooked
1 cup brown rice cooked
2 tsp flax seed oil
1/10 tsp Morton Lite Salt
1/2 human multivitamin/mineral tablet
1/5 Foster and Smith dog Vita-Min
1 500 mg calcium carbonate tablet (no Vitamin D)

Additionally, Max takes potassium citrate to keep his urine
above a PH of 6.8.

Max seems to be doing very well on this diet. He certainly
prefers it over the previous diet that basically was one part
peas to three parts rice.

My only concern is that the human vitamin contains Vitamin C
which breaks down into oxalate. The nutritionist does not think
this is a problem given the high water and urine PH levels
associated with this new diet.

I have found a human multivitamin/mineral without Vitamin C
and I hope the nutritionist will update the diet.

I plan on taking Max in for a checkup in two months.

Thanks for your continued interest.

--Marshall

"Knowing how things work is the basis for appreciation,
and is thus a source of civilized delight." -- William Safire