Stevenson, Abigail Emma; (2002) The incidence of urolithiasis in cats and dogs, and the influence of diet in formation and prevention of recurrence. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

The two most common minerals found in uroliths from cats and dogs were calcium oxalate and magnesium ammonium phosphate, identified using accurate quantitative analytical techniques. Other mineral types included calcium phosphate and uric acid/ammonium urate. Cystine uroliths were found only in dogs. Trends towards age, breed and sex for each mineral type are discussed. The major urinary risk factors for calcium oxalate formation in dogs were found to be calcium and oxalate, although uric acid concentration was also increased in some dogs. Although individually these factors differentiated between calcium oxalate stone-forming dogs and clinically normal dogs, the relative supersaturation of urine with respect to calcium oxalate more clearly discriminated between the two groups. Differences between the urine composition of breeds susceptible to calcium oxalate formation (Miniature schnauzer, Cairn terrier and Cocker spaniel) were identified, when compared to a breed with a low risk of calcium oxalate formation (Labrador retriever). These included a lower urine volume (per kg bodyweight), higher urine specific gravity and increased calcium concentration. Increased dietary moisture and sodium were shown to reduce the severity of these differences, thereby reducing the risk of calcium oxalate crystallisation in susceptible breeds. This thesis also demonstrated that both dietary calcium and oxalate have to be controlled in order to minimise the risk of calcium oxalate formation in susceptible breeds. It was shown that in cats a moderately acidic urine pH within the range of 6-6.5 could minimise the risk of both calcium oxalate and MAP crystallisation compared to either a more acidic (5.8) or more alkaline urine pH (6.8). Finally, dietary potassium citrate supplementation, which is often recommended for the management of calcium oxalate formation in dogs had limited effects on urine analytes in the majority of dogs.

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