What is the most common urolith type in dogs?

What is the most common urolith type in dogs?

• A. Struvite
• B. Calcium Oxalate
• C. Uric Acid
• D. Cystine

Answer: (A)

Struvite stones are the most common uroliths in dogs. They form in alkaline urine, often in the setting of a urinary tract infection caused by urease-producing bacteria (for example, Proteus or some Staphylococcus species). The stone is composed of magnesium ammonium phosphate, and these infections-driven stones tend to be radiopaque on imaging. Because the underlying issue is the infection and the stone’s chemical makeup, they’re often amenable to medical dissolution with a urine-acidifying diet and antibiotics after treating the infection. Calcium oxalate stones are not infection-related and are less readily dissolved, requiring removal in many cases. Uric acid stones are less common in dogs and linked to metabolic issues or specific breeds, while cystine stones are rare.

Struvite stones are the most common uroliths in dogs. They form in alkaline urine, often in the setting of a urinary tract infection caused by urease-producing bacteria (for example, Proteus or some Staphylococcus species). The stone is composed of magnesium ammonium phosphate, and these infections-driven stones tend to be radiopaque on imaging. Because the underlying issue is the infection and the stone’s chemical makeup, they’re often amenable to medical dissolution with a urine-acidifying diet and antibiotics after treating the infection.

Calcium oxalate stones are not infection-related and are less readily dissolved, requiring removal in many cases. Uric acid stones are less common in dogs and linked to metabolic issues or specific breeds, while cystine stones are rare.