title: Management of struvite uroliths in dogs.
abstract: Urolithiasis is a common clinical problem in dogs. Struvite and calcium oxalate are the predominant mineral types in dog urolithiasis. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of two commercial dry foods formulated for the management of struvite urolithiasis with different anion-cation balance on urinary pH. For the trial, twelve privately owned adult dogs showing struvite urolithiasis were studied. The dogs were randomly divided into two groups (A and B) and fed two dissolving diets for 3 months. The analyses of urine were repeated six times. In both diets, the anion-cation balance was negative ( - 203 and - 192 for diets A and B, respectively). At the first urine analysis, pH values of all the dogs were close to 8.0, and bacteria were present in about 70 % of the samples and thus an antimicrobial was administered for 1 week. Both groups showed a progressive decrease in pH values, and after 2 months, in both cases, the recommended pH values for stone dissolution were achieved. From the sampling at 30 d, group A showed pH values significantly (P < 0.05) lower than group B, probably due to the lower anion-cation balance of diet A. The combination of antimicrobial and dietary therapy allowed the dissolution of struvite uroliths in both groups, even if the utilisation of the diet characterised by the lower anion-cation balance seems to decrease the urinary pH more rapidly. In this case, it seems necessary to interrupt the dietary treatment in order to avoid the risk of other diseases.
authors: Department of Animal Science and Food Control, University of Napoli Federico II, Via Fedrico Delpino 1, 80137 Napoli, Italy.
authors: Serena
authors: S
authors: Calabrò
authors: Raffaella
authors: R
authors: Tudisco
authors: Sergio
authors: S
authors: Bianchi
authors: Micaela
authors: M
authors: Grossi
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: De Bonis
authors: Monica
authors: M
authors: Isabella Cutrignelli
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000652:urine; D004285:Dogs; D024841:Fluoroquinolones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D017616:Magnesium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D010710:Phosphates / Q000737:chemistry*; D000069877:Struvite; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D052878:Urolithiasis / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000652:urine / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D017616:Magnesium Compounds; D010710:Phosphates; D000069877:Struvite