Dissolution of a struvite nephrolith in a dog.
A large radiodense calculus in the left renal pelvis of a 22-month-old, male Great Dane disappeared one month following surgical removal of two struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate) calculi from the right renal pelvis. The dog's urine likely became undersaturated with struvite for a sufficient period to permit dissolution of the renal calculus. Several factors may have contributed to the decrease in urine struvite concentration, including eradication of a urease-producing Proteus sp from the urinary tract and induction of polydipsia and compensatory polyuria by oral administration of sodium chloride.
D000645:Ammonium Sulfate / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D007682:Kidney Pelvis; D008274:Magnesium / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography
D008274:Magnesium; D000645:Ammonium Sulfate