Retrospective study of 353 confirmed cases of urolithiasis in dogs and cats treated at veterinary clinics in the northern region of Pará, Brazil

Welligton Conceição da Silva ^1,2, Bárbara Camila Ataíde Rocha ², Simone Vieira Castro ³

⁰Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Centro Universitária da Amazônia (UNAMA), Santarém, PA, Brazil.

Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Medicine +

|

March 19, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Urolithiasis, a common urinary tract issue in pets, was confirmed in over half of suspected dog and cat cases in Santarém, Pará. Cats showed higher rates, with most stones found in the bladder in animals aged 2-5 years.

Area Of Science

Veterinary Medicine
Urology
Companion Animal Health

Background

Urolithiasis is a significant health concern in dogs and cats, ranking as the third most common urinary tract disease.
The condition involves the presence of crystals or the formation of stones within the urinary tract.
Understanding the prevalence and characteristics of urolithiasis is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment in veterinary practice.

Purpose Of The Study

To determine the confirmation rate of suspected urolithiasis cases in dogs and cats.
To analyze the epidemiological data of confirmed urolithiasis cases in Santarém, Pará.
To identify key factors associated with urolithiasis, including species, age, and stone location.

Main Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using medical records from six veterinary clinics in Santarém, Pará, spanning from 2012 to 2023.
Data collected included clinical suspicion, species, age, breed, feeding type, diagnosis, urolith location, and type.
Statistical analysis involved the Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test due to non-normal data distribution, using SAS software.

Main Results

Out of 532 suspected urolithiasis cases, 353 were confirmed, indicating a substantial occurrence of the disease.
The confirmation rate was higher in cats (72.23%) compared to dogs (55.37%).
The most commonly affected age group for both species was between 2 and 5 years, with the urinary bladder being the most frequent location for uroliths.

Conclusions

There is a high index of confirmed urolithiasis cases in dogs and cats treated in Santarém, Pará, with cats being more affected.
Animals between 2 and 5 years of age are more susceptible to urolithiasis in both species.
The urinary bladder is the predominant site for urolithiasis in dogs and cats in this region.

Keywords:

urinary vesicles urolith urolithiasis