Dietary management of canine urolithiasis

ALTHOUGH a number of different types of urolith have been reported in dogs, including those associated with drugs and toxins such as sulphonamides, struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate) accounts for approximately 40 per cent of canine urolithiasis cases and can be successfully treated with diet alone. Diet is also a central component in the treatment and management of calcium oxalate, urate and cystine uroliths, as well as playing a key role in preventing or reducing the risk of recurrence of virtually all types of urolith encountered. This article discusses some of the general current concepts regarding urolith formation, describes some dietary strategies that may be appropriate to try to prevent their recurrence, and briefly outlines possible predisposing factors.