Dietary Features Are Associated with Differences in the Urinary Microbiome in Clinically Healthy Adult Dogs.

Nutrition plays an important role in shaping the gut microbiome composition, although the impact of diet on the urinary microbiome (i.e., urobiome) remains unknown.

First Reported Case of a Pyrophosphate Kidney Stone in a Human.

Urolithiasis composed of pyrophosphate salts has only been reported in animals, in the form of potassium magnesium pyrophosphate. However, there have been no reports of pyrophosphate stones in humans. Hypophosphatasia is an inherited disease characterized by low alkaline phosphatase activity and elevated levels of pyrophosphate in blood and urine.

Trends in urolith composition and factors associated with different urolith types in dogs from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland between 2010 and 2020.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine changes in urolith trends and factors associated with different urolith types in dogs from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland between 2010 and 2020.

Materials And Methods: A laboratory database was searched for canine urolith submissions between 2010 and 2020. Trends in urolith composition between 2014 and 2020, and associations between patient characteristics with each urolith type were evaluated.

Development of a burst wave lithotripsy system for noninvasive fragmentation of ureteroliths in pet cats.

Background: Upper urinary tract stones are increasingly prevalent in pet cats and are difficult to manage. Surgical procedures to address obstructing ureteroliths have short- and long-term complications, and medical therapies (e.g.

The most common types of uroliths larger than 1 mm are readily visible and accurately measured in an in vitro setting mimicking the canine abdomen using digital radiography.

Abdominal radiography is an important diagnostic to detect uroliths. Cystine and urate uroliths were historically characterized as nonmineral opaque on survey radiographs. However, recent research and clinical observations indicate that pure urate and cystine uroliths may be detected with digital radiography.

The impact of urine collection method on canine urinary microbiota detection: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The urinary tract harbors unique microbial communities that play important roles in urogenital health and disease. Dogs naturally suffer from several of the same urological disorders as humans (e.g.

Safety and efficacy of nightly nitrofurantoin as prophylaxis in dogs with recurrent urinary tract infections: 13 cases (2015-2021).

Objectives: To report the protocol, efficacy and adverse events in dogs receiving nightly nitrofurantoin therapy as antimicrobial prophylaxis for recurrent urinary tract infections.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective case series of dogs prescribed nitrofurantoin as prophylaxis for recurrent urinary tract infections. Data on urological history, diagnostic investigation, protocol, adverse events and efficacy (through serial urine cultures) were extracted from medical records.

Resolution of urethral obstruction using temporary urethral stents in two female cats.

Case Summary: The management of urethral obstructions is well documented in male cats but is less established for females. These cases describe two female cats that presented with non-dissolvable urocystoliths. Urocystoliths were removed by laser lithotripsy and basket retrieval.

Retrospective analysis of 131 feline uroliths from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (2010-2020).

Background: The proportions of different urolith types have not been investigated in cats from the Republic of Ireland (ROI) and Northern Ireland (NI) previously. The objective of this study was to investigate the proportions of different feline urolith types submitted to Minnesota Urolith Center from the ROI and NI from 2010 to 2020. An additional aim of this study was to identify potential risk factors associated with each urolith type in cats in this geographic area.

Frequency of histologic lesions in the kidneys of cats without kidney disease.

Objectives: In humans, renal aging is associated with an increased frequency of glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis, inflammation and tubular atrophy. The purpose of this study was to describe the frequency of renal histopathologic lesions in cats without kidney disease.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of archival kidney tissue from 74 cats without kidney disease (serum creatinine <1.

UROLITHIASIS IN FOXES: ASSESSMENT OF 65 UROLITH SUBMISSIONS TO THE MINNESOTA UROLITH CENTER FROM 1981 TO 2021.

This article summarizes urinary stone submissions from foxes in human care to the Minnesota Urolith Center over 40 years. A previous report documented the analysis of uroliths from foxes that were submitted between 1981 and 2007. New data compiled from 2008 to 2021 included an additional 38 stones submitted from foxes, totaling 65 fox urolith submissions from 1981 to 2021.

Comparison of cat and human calcium oxalate monohydrate kidney stone matrix proteomes.

Despite its critical nature, the role of matrix in calcium oxalate stone formation is poorly understood. The wide diversity of proteins comprising matrix has contributed to the ambiguity. This study compares the protein distributions measured by mass spectrometry in human calcium oxalate stone matrix to that observed in cat stone matrix, because cats share many clinical characteristics of their stone disease with humans.

Characterization of the urogenital microbiome in Miniature Schnauzers with and without calcium oxalate urolithiasis.

Background: Calcium oxalate (CaOx) uroliths are common in dogs. Humans with CaOx urolithiasis exhibit alterations of the urinary and urogenital microbiomes that might mediate urolith formation. Detection of urogenital microbes associated with CaOx in dogs could inform disease pathophysiology.

Prevalence and Predictors of Radiographically Apparent Upper Urinary Tract Urolithiasis in Eight Dog Breeds Predisposed to Calcium Oxalate Urolithiasis and Mixed Breed Dogs.

Data on upper urinary tract (UUT) uroliths in dogs are important to understanding their etiology. The aim of this retrospective case-control study was to determine the prevalence and identify predictors of radiographically apparent UUT uroliths in dog breeds at increased risk for calcium oxalate uroliths (CaOx risk breeds) and mixed breed dogs. Radiologist reports of three-view abdominal radiographs were reviewed from 251 purebred dogs of 8 CaOx risk breeds and 68 mixed breed dogs.

Clinicopathologic findings and urolith composition for green iguanas (Iguana iguana) with urolithiasis: 21 cases and 132 stones (1996-2020).

Objective: To document the clinical signs, diagnosis, and treatment of urolithiasis in green iguanas (Iguana iguana) and to report on the composition of uroliths from green iguanas submitted to the Minnesota Urolith Center for analysis.

Animals: 21 green iguanas with urolithiasis.

Procedures: Medical record databases of multiple veterinary teaching hospitals were searched from 1996 through 2020.

Evaluation of Temporary Urethral Stents in the Management of Malignant and Nonmalignant Urethral Diseases in Dogs.

Urethral stent placement is a minimally invasive interventional procedure commonly performed by specialists to alleviate urethral obstruction. However, the availability of urethral stents is limited by their high cost and the need for special equipment. The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the construction and placement of an inexpensive temporary urethral stent and to report on its outcome in managing dogs with naturally occurring urethral disease.

Variation in mineral types of uroliths from ferrets () submitted for analysis in North America, Europe, or Asia over an 8-year period.

Objective: To compare mineral types of naturally occurring uroliths in ferrets () from North America, Europe, and Asia and to identify potential risk factors associated with cystine urolithiasis in ferrets.

Samples: 1,054 laboratory submission records of uroliths obtained from ferrets between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2018.

Procedures: For this cross-sectional study, the medical records databases at 4 diagnostic laboratories were searched for records of submissions of uroliths obtained from ferrets.

Efficacy of medical dissolution for suspected struvite cystoliths in dogs.

Background: Medical dissolution of struvite uroliths in dogs is commonly recommended, but data on success rates and complications are limited.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of medical dissolution for suspected struvite cystoliths in dogs.

Animals: Fifty client-owned dogs fed a therapeutic dissolution diet, with or without administration of antimicrobials, for treatment of suspected struvite cystoliths.

Calcium oxalate urolithiasis in juvenile dogs.

Background: The features of juvenile-onset calcium oxalate urolithiasis in dogs have not been previously reported.

Methods: Calcium oxalate urolith submissions to the Minnesota Urolith Center between 2012 and 2016 were analyzed to identify those originating from juvenile (≤2 years, n = 510) or mature (7-9 years, n = 39,093) dogs. Breed, sex, urolith salt type and urolith location were compared between groups.

Canine Silica Urolithiasis in Mexico, Associated with the Concentration of Dissolved Silica in Tap Water.

Silica urolithiasis is infrequent in dogs, but in Mexico represents 12.9%. Our hypothesis is the consumption of high amounts of silicates in the diet, especially that dissolved in tap water.

Radiographic diagnoses in 80 cats before and 73 cats after unobstructing the urethra.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate causes for feline urethral obstruction and determine whether the frequency of radiographic diagnoses differs between cats radiographed before or after unobstruction of the urethra.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study of cats with naturally occurring urethral obstruction was performed. Only cats presenting for their first urethral obstruction in which radiography was integrated in the initial evaluation were included.

Animal models of naturally occurring stone disease.

The prevalence of urolithiasis in humans is increasing worldwide; however, non-surgical treatment and prevention options remain limited despite decades of investigation. Most existing laboratory animal models for urolithiasis rely on highly artificial methods of stone induction and, as a result, might not be fully applicable to the study of natural stone initiation and growth. Animal models that naturally and spontaneously form uroliths are an underused resource in the study of human stone disease and offer many potential opportunities for improving insight into stone pathogenesis.

Renal and vaginal calculi in a free-ranging long-beaked common dolphin Delphinus capensis.

Bilateral nephrolithiasis with a concurrent vaginal calculus was identified in a stranded free-ranging long-beaked common dolphin Delphinus capensis. Necropsy and radiologic examinations of the sexually mature D. capensis revealed multiple small irregularly round nephroliths and a 6.