Stones in cats and dogs: What can be learnt from them?

OBJECTIVE To review the clinical features of stone disease in dogs and cats for a non-veterinary audience. METHODS Relevant peer-reviewed scientific reports were reviewed. RESULTS Lower urinary tract stones are more common in dogs and cats than they are in humans. In addition to struvite stones, calcium oxalate, urate and cystine stones are all commonly found in the bladder and the urethra. The genetic basis for stone disease in some breeds of dog has been elucidated. The small size of cats creates technical challenges when managing ureterolithiasis. CONCLUSIONS Naturally occurring stone disease in companion animals is a valuable area for further study. The structure of the canine genome might facilitate the identification of novel disease loci in breeds of dog predisposed to stone formation.