Analysis of canine urolith submissions to the Canadian Veterinary Urolith Centre, 1998-2014

Understanding urolith trends and risk factors is important for understanding urolithiasis, which is a common problem in dogs. This study evaluated 75 674 canine cystolith submissions to the Canadian Veterinary Urolith Centre between 1998 and 2014. Struvite and calcium oxalate uroliths comprised 80.8% of all uroliths, with calcium oxalate outnumbering struvite. There were significant increases in the proportions of calcium oxalate, mixed and cystine uroliths, and significant decreases in struvite, urate, silica, and calcium phosphate carbonate over the study period. Breeds associated with increased risk of calcium oxalate urolithiasis tended to be small breeds, while those that were at increased risk of struvite urolith formation were larger breeds. Dalmatians were at increased risk of forming both urate and xanthine uroliths while Scottish deerhounds had a remarkably high association with cystine urolithiasis. Males were more likely to form calcium oxalate and metabolic uroliths and females were more likely to develop struvite and mixed uroliths.