Urate urolithiasis

Urate uroliths belong to the purine family of uroliths and are the third most common urolith type in dogs and cats. In dalmatians, an autosomal recessive trait is responsible for hyperuricosuria and a predisposition to urate urolithiasis. In other dog breeds and in cats, urate uroliths are predominantly associated with liver disease, specifically portosystemic vascular anomalies. Idiopathic urate uroliths may occur in animals without liver disease. Ammonium urate uroliths are most common. Urate uroliths are amenable to medical dissolution. This article reviews the pathogenesis and management of urate urolithiasis.