Canine uroliths: analysis of uroliths from dogs in Ireland

One hundred and fifty six uroliths recovered from dogs in Ireland between January 1998 and May 2001 were analysed by X-ray diffraction or infrared spectroscopy. Struvite was the most common component of the uroliths (present in 81: 52 per cent), oxalate (in 39: 25 per cent) was the second most prevalent component, followed by mixed composition uroliths (eight per cent), urate (seven per cent) and cystine (six per cent). Bitches of the small breeds were most frequently diagnosed with struvite calculi and male dogs more than five years of age most frequently formed oxalate calculi. Urate calculi occurred predominantly in Dalmatians. The breeds forming cystine calculi were: Yorkshire Terrier, Rotweiller, Jack Russell Terrier, Labrador, Bull Mastiff and Bassett Hound.