Canine Silica Urolithiasis

Abstract

Silica "jack-stone" uroliths developed in the urinary bladder and urethra of 83 dogs living in the United States. Naturally occurring silica jack stones have not been encountered prior to 1976. German Shepherd Dogs comprised more than 1/3 of affected animals; the remainder encompassed 26 other breeds. In this series, 81 were males and 2 were females. The mean age of the dogs was 5.8 years, with a range of 1.5 to 12 years. Several observations prompt the hypothesis that development of silica uroliths may be related to diet. Although most silica uroliths had a characteristic jack-stone appearance, not all silica uroliths had a jack-stone configuration and not all jack stones were composed of silica. Some calculi were comprised of a combination of silica and struvite. Silica uroliths were radiodense, compared with adjacent tissue, but were not associated with identifiable crystals in urine. The urine pH of affected dogs varied from acid to alkaline. Silica urolithiasis recurred in 5 dogs following surgery. Urinary tract infections, when they occurred, appeared to be a sequela of silica urolithiasis. Pending further studies, management of silica uroliths should include their removal from the urinary tract and eradication of associated urinary tract infections. Prophylactic measures should include attempts to augment urine volume and change of diet.