Canine struvite urolithiasis: problems and their dissolution.

Struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate) uroliths are found more frequently in the urinary tracts, of dogs than are other types of uroliths. Infection of the urinary tract with urease-producing bacteria, especially staphylococci, plays an important role in urolith formation. An inherited predisposition to urinary tract infection may be associated with the high rat of occurrence of struvite uroliths in some dogs. Diagnosis of struvite urolithiasis should encompass analysis of the mineral composition of calculi and identification of concomitant urinary tract infection. Since urinary tract infections occur as sequelae to abnormalities in local or systemic host-defense mechanisms, appropriate effort should be directed toward detection of these abnormalities. Therapy of struvite urolithiasis should encompass relief of obstruction to outflow when necessary, elimination of existing calculi, eradication or control of urinary tract infection, and prevention of recurrence. Although surgical removal remains as the preferred method to eliminate struvite uroliths from dogs, nonsurgical methods of urolith dissolution should be considered. Recurrence of struvite uroliths may be prevented by various combinations of antimicrobial therapy, administration of urease inhibitors, acidification of urine, and induction of diuresis.