Effects of dietary supplementation with sodium chloride on urinary relative supersaturation with calcium oxalate in healthy dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with sodium chloride (NaCl) on urinary calcium excretion, urine calcium concentration, and urinary relative supersaturation (RSS) with calcium oxalate (CaOx).


METHODS
6 adult female healthy Beagles.


METHODS
By use of a crossover study design, a canned diet designed to decrease CaOx urolith recurrence with and without supplemental NaCl (i.e., 1.2% and 0.24% sodium on a dry-matter basis, respectively) was fed to dogs for 6 weeks. Every 14 days, 24-hour urine samples were collected. Concentrations of lithogenic substances and urine pH were used to calculate values of urinary RSS with CaOx.


RESULTS
When dogs consumed a diet supplemented with NaCl, 24-hour urine volume and 24-hour urine calcium excretion increased. Dietary supplementation with NaCl was not associated with a change in urine calcium concentration. However, urine oxalate acid concentrations and values of urinary RSS with CaOx were significantly lower after feeding the NaCI-supplemented diet for 28 days.


CONCLUSIONS
Dietary supplementation with NaCl in a urolith-prevention diet decreased the propensity for CaOx crystallization in the urine of healthy adult Beagles. However, until long-term studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of dietary supplementation with NaCl in dogs with CaOx urolithiasis are preformed, we suggest that dietary supplementation with NaCl be used cautiously.
Lulich
Jody P
JP
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN 55108, USA.
Osborne
Carl A
CA
Sanderson
Sherry L
SL
D000818:Animals; D002129:Calcium Oxalate / Q000652:urine*; D002852:Chromatography, Ion Exchange / Q000662:veterinary; D003404:Creatinine / Q000032:analysis / Q000652:urine; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004285:Dogs; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D015592:Immunoradiometric Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic / Q000662:veterinary; D014545:Urinary Calculi / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D014556:Urine / Q000737:chemistry
D004573:Electrolytes; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; D002129:Calcium Oxalate; D003404:Creatinine