Joseph W. Bartges

MEDICAL DISSOLUTION AND PREVENTION OF CANINE STRUVITE UROLITHIASIS Twenty Years of Experience

Two types of canine struvite uroliths have been recognized: infection-induced struvite is the most common type; sterile struvite is uncommonly recognized. Infection-induced struvite is most commonly associated with urease-producing staphylococcal UTI. For dogs that qualify, medical dissolution is an effective method of treatment. Medical dissolution protocols encompass: (1) eradication or control of UTI; (2) use of calculolytic diets; and (3) administration of urease inhibitors to patients with persistent UTI caused by urease-producing microbes.

Medical Management of Feline Urethral Obstruction

A step-by-step priority of procedures is recommended when attempting to restore urethral patency in an obstructed male cat. In order of priority they are: (1) massage of the distal urethra, (2) attempts to induce voiding by gentle palpation of the urinary bladder, (3) cystocentesis, (4) retrograde urethral flushing, (5) combinations of 1 through 4, (6) diagnostic radiology to determine if the cause of urethral obstruction is intraluminal, mural or extramural, and if absolutely necessary, (7) surgical procedures.

Canine Cystine Urolithiasis: Cause, Detection, Treatment, and Prevention

Cystine uroliths are a sequela to cystinuria, an inherited renal tubular defect in reabsorption of cystine and some other amino acids. At the Minnesota Urolith Center, 67 breeds of dogs were identified, including English Bulldogs, Dachshunds, Mastiffs, and Newfoundlands. In some dogs, the severity of cystinuria may decline with advancing age. Current recommendations for dissolution of cystine uroliths include various combinations of diet modification, diuresis administration of 2-MPG, and alkalinization of urine.