Urolithiasis is the formation of stones (uroliths) anywhere in the urinary tract; in dogs almost all are found in the bladder or urethra. Struvite and calcium oxalate stones make up the large majority, but the type matters more than the location, because it decides whether the stone can be dissolved with diet, must be removed, or will keep coming back. A stone that enters the urethra of a male dog can cause a life-threatening obstruction.
Key facts
Urolithiasis at a glance- Species and system: dog; urinary tract (bladder and urethra in about 97% of submitted stones; kidney and ureter less often).
- Main types: calcium oxalate (47%) and struvite (44%) of stones submitted to one large US laboratory; then urate (15%), silica (4%) and cystine (3%, and rising).
- Classic presentations: a young spayed bitch with a urinary tract infection and a large struvite stone; an older neutered male Miniature Schnauzer with calcium oxalate; a Dalmatian with urate; an intact male Bulldog or Mastiff with cystine.
- Signs: hematuria, pollakiuria, stranguria, or none at all; urethral obstruction is the emergency.
- Dissolvable: struvite, urate and cystine. Not dissolvable: calcium oxalate and silica.
- Zoonotic or reportable: no.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 6 tables, 3 figures, 3 self-test questions and 10 references, available to NAVLE members.
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