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.

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.

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.

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.

Efficacy of two commercially available, low-magnesium, urine-acidifying dry foods for the dissolution of struvite uroliths in cats.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of using 2 commercially available, low-magnesium, urine-acidifying dry foods to dissolve sterile struvite uroliths in cats.

Design: Prospective, multicenter, randomized clinical trial .

Sample: 37 cats with presumed struvite uroliths.

The effect of disease on the urinary purine metabolite concentrations in dogs.

This prospective study was designed to determine the urinary concentrations of purine metabolites in healthy and diseased dogs. The goals were to test the hypothesis that urine concentrations of terminal purine metabolites will identify dogs with diseases that disturb purine degradation. Five hundred and sixty-three client-owned dogs admitted sequentially to the veterinary medical centre were included.

Epidemiological evaluation of cystine urolithiasis in domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo): 70 cases (1992-2009).

Objective: To determine the prevalence of cystine uroliths in domestic ferrets with urolithiasis and determine whether age, breed, sex, reproductive status, anatomic location, and season are risk factors associated with cystine urolith formation.

Design: Retrospective cross-sectional case-control study.

Sample: Records of 435 ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) with uroliths submitted for analyses between 1992 and 2009, of which 70 were cystine uroliths.

Effects of storage in formalin on composition of canine and feline uroliths.

Objective: To determine whether storage in neutral-buffered 10% formalin in vitro has any effect on the composition of biogenic minerals of canine and feline uroliths.

Design: Prospective in vitro study.

Sample Population: Canine and feline uroliths submitted to the Minnesota Urolith Center from 34 dogs and 27 cats.

Risk factors for urate uroliths in cats.

Objective: To identify demographic factors associated with urate urolithiasis in cats and determine whether the rate of urolith submission to a laboratory had changed over time.

Design: Case series and case-control study.

Animals: Cases consisted of 5,072 cats with urate uroliths submitted to the Minnesota Urolith Center between January 1, 1981, and December 31, 2008.

Effects of a urolith prevention diet on urine compositions of glycosaminoglycans, Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein, and nephrocalcin in cats with calcium oxalate urolithiasis.

Objective: To evaluate urine concentrations of glycosaminoglycans, Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein, and nephrocalcin in cats fed a diet formulated to prevent calcium oxalate uroliths.

Animals: 10 cats with calcium oxalate urolithiasis.

Procedures: In a previous study conducted in accordance with a balanced crossover design, cats were sequentially fed 2 diets (the diet each cat was consuming prior to urolith detection and a diet formulated to prevent calcium oxalate uroliths).

Epidemiology of struvite uroliths in ferrets: 272 cases (1981-2007).

Objective: To confirm that the predominant mineral type in naturally occurring uroliths in ferrets is struvite; to determine whether age, breed, sex, reproductive status, geographic location, season, and anatomic location are risk factors associated with urolith formation in ferrets; to compare features of struvite uroliths in cats with those in ferrets; and to determine whether there is a logical evidence-based rationale for clinical trials of the safety and efficacy of diet-induced dissolution of struvite uroliths in ferrets.

Design: Retrospective case-control study.

Animals: 408 ferrets with uroliths (272 struvite uroliths) from the Minnesota Urolith Center, and 6,528 control ferrets from the Veterinary Medical Database.

Rate and frequency of recurrence of uroliths after an initial ammonium urate, calcium oxalate, or struvite urolith in cats.

Objective: To determine frequency of and interval until recurrence after initial ammonium urate, calcium oxalate, and struvite uroliths in cats and whether breed, age, or sex was associated with increased risk for urolith recurrence.

Design: Case-control study.

Animals: 4,435 cats with recurrent uroliths.

Analysis of 451,891 canine uroliths, feline uroliths, and feline urethral plugs from 1981 to 2007: perspectives from the Minnesota Urolith Center.

Urolithiasis is a general term referring to the causes and effects of stones anywhere in the urinary tract. Urolithiasis should not be viewed conceptually as a single disease with a single cause, but rather as a sequela of multiple interacting underlying abnormalities. Thus, the syndrome of urolithiasis may be defined as the occurrence of familial, congenital, or acquired pathophysiologic factors that, in combination, progressively increase the risk of precipitation of excretory metabolites in urine to form stones (ie, uroliths).

Canine uroliths: frequently asked questions and their answers.

This article is devoted to answering frequently asked questions from veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and pet owners about urolithiasis and the detection, treatment, and prevention of various types of uroliths from various locations in the urinary tract. It has been divided into the following topics: urolith analysis, urolith types, diagnosis, treatment and prevention, urolith recurrence, urinalysis, diet, water, and miscellaneous. The information is geared toward both professionals (eg, the chemical analysis of uroliths) and pet owners (eg, the practical considerations of diet).

Changing paradigms in the treatment of uroliths by lithotripsy.

Surgery remains a common procedure for removal of uroliths from the lower urinary tract of dogs. Incorporation of intracorporeal laser lithotripsy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy has provided impetus for a paradigm shift in the way veterinarians manage urinary stones, however. These minimally invasive techniques provide a successful alternative to surgical urolith extraction.

Paradigm changes in the role of nutrition for the management of canine and feline urolithiasis.

Results of experimental and clinical investigation have confirmed the importance of dietary modifications in medical protocols designed to promote dissolution and prevention of uroliths. The objectives of medical management of uroliths are to arrest further growth and to promote urolith dissolution by correcting or controlling underlying abnormalities. For therapy to be most effective, it must promote undersaturation of urine with lithogenic crystalloids by 1) increasing the urine solubility of crystalloids, 2) increasing the volume of urine in which crystalloids are dissolved or suspended, and 3) reducing the quantities of lithogenic crystalloids in urine.

Changing paradigms in ethical issues and urolithiasis.

This article defines the ethics involved in the medical treatment of patients. Using a case example, the authors discuss the treatment of uroliths from an ethical and medical perspective. Uroliths are defined, and treatment is discussed and explained.

Changing paradigms in the diagnosis of urolithiasis.

A paradigm shift is a fundamental change from a traditional model of thinking. This article presents four paradigm shifts in the diagnoses of urolithiasis, based on the experiences of the authors in the treatment of uroliths in dogs and cats. Case examples are provided to illustrate points regarding urine storage, ultrasonography, use of radiography to assure complete removal of uroliths, and the frequency of upper tract uroliths in cats.

Quantitative analysis of 4468 uroliths retrieved from farm animals, exotic species, and wildlife submitted to the Minnesota Urolith Center: 1981 to 2007.

Knowledge of the mineral composition of uroliths in various species of animals can help veterinarians predict the mineral composition of stones in vivo. This information is important because dissolution of existing uroliths, or minimizing further growth of uroliths in situ, is dependent on knowledge of the mineral composition of uroliths. With this objective in mind, this report summarizes the results of quantitative mineral analysis of uroliths retrieved from 4468 animals sent to the Minnesota Urolith Center.

Drug-induced urolithiasis.

The prevalence of uroliths that contain drugs, their metabolites, or toxic ingredients in dogs, cats, and other animals is unknown. The authors examine specific drugs and their use in the animal population. They discuss these drugs in terms of uroliths and urolith formation in a variety of animals, making recommendations on which drugs can be safely used based on evidence from the authors' own studies and the literature.

Changing paradigms in the frequency and management of canine compound uroliths.

This article discusses the composition, formation, and treatment of canine compound uroliths and the importance of recognizing the unique causal factors that may be present in each individual patient. After first giving a detailed analysis of what compound uroliths are and how they form, the authors give examples and data from canine uroliths submitted between 1981 and 2007. Finally, the article discusses the importance of this data when formulating management strategies for individual patients to either dissolve existing stones or minimize urolith recurrence.

Melamine and cyanuric acid-induced crystalluria, uroliths, and nephrotoxicity in dogs and cats.

This article discusses the 2007 recall of canned pet food because of concerns about adverse effects on kidney function of cats and dogs. The discovery of melamine and cyanuric acid in the foods is detailed. Case studies, including clinical, pathology, histology, and toxicology findings, are presented.