My 8 yr old Lhasa Maggie has been diagnosed with bladder stones . Now she is on a special gel-like dog food after having lived on Iams kibble for years . Maggie will not eat the special diet and is not drinking much . As a nurse , I know that dilute urine is better . My vet says to 'starve her out ' - my nurse training says that this wrong .
Is there a diet or supplement that will dissolve the stones and that might be more appetizing than the gel-like dog food ? Should I get a second opinion ?

Missing a meal or two or three will not hurt your dog. It might actually help...fasting is a natural event in nature. It is normal for a sick animal to fast so their body will focus on healing. It's why we naturally lose our appetite when we are sick. Now, there are situations when fasting is not recommended because to do so could cause the organs to shut down. If that was a risk in your dog's case, your vet would have said so.

As to your other questions--I would not begin to advise you to change what has been prescribed. If you have reason to question the vet's advice, then certainly, go for a second opinion.