Urolithiasis in dogs. I. Mineral prevalence and interrelations of mineral composition, age, and sex

• Published in: American journal of veterinary research Vol. 59; no. 5; p. 624
• Main Authors: Ling, G.V. (University of California, Davis, CA.), Franti, C.E, Ruby, A.L, Johnson, D.L, Thurmond, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.05.1998
• Subjects: AGE; AGE DIFFERENCES; Age Distribution; Animals; BIOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES; BLADDER; CHIEN; CONTENIDO MINERAL; Crystallography - methods; DIFERENCIAS BIOLOGICAS; DIFFERENCE BIOLOGIQUE; Dog Diseases - epidemiology; DOGS; EDAD; Female; KIDNEYS; Male; MINERAL CONTENT; Minerals - analysis; Odds Ratio; PERRO; Prevalence; Recurrence; REIN; RINONES; SEX; Sex Distribution; SEXE; SEXO; TENEUR EN ELEMENTS MINERAUX; URETER; URETERE; URETHRA; URETRA; URETRE; Urinary Calculi - chemistry; Urinary Calculi - epidemiology; Urinary Calculi - veterinary; UROLITHIASE; UROLITHIASIS; UROLITIASIS; VEJIGA; VESSIE
• DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.1998.59.5.624
• ISSN: 0002-9645

To compile and statistically analyze selected data from a large number of canine urinary calculi. 11,000 specimens: 5,781 from female dogs, 5,215 from male dogs, and 4 from dogs of unrecorded sex. Records were used to compile information from all canine calculi analyzed between July 1981 and January 1994. Interrelations of mineral composition, location of specimens within the urinary tract, age and sex of affected dogs, and number of previous episodes of urolithiasis were determined. Approximately 70% of the specimens were from a first episode of urolithiasis. Calculi were located in the urinary bladder of 93.1% of females and 79.0% of males, and in the upper urinary tract of 4% of females and 2% of males. Calculi were found in multiple sites in 23.1% of males and 5.2% of females. Significantly higher proportions of struvite, apatite, and urate were found in uroliths from females; oxalate, cystine, silica, and brushite were significantly more prevalent in males. Sixty-one percent of specimens from males and 29% from females were composed of a single mineral substance. The most common mineral combination of 2 or more minerals included struvite and apatite. An additional 67 specimens from male dogs and 49 from female dogs contained other mineral combinations. In 48% of specimens from males and nearly 62% of specimens from females, the minerals formed several distinct layers of differing composition. Male and female dogs from urinary calculi composed of 1 or more of several distinct minerals. Prevalence of canine uroliths differs between ages and between the sexes. Many specimens contain complex layering of minerals; most specimens were found in the urinary bladder. Sex and age of dogs, mineral types of likely calculi in males versus females, and their anatomic location are important considerations for clinicians when evaluating risk in dogs with urolithiasis.