title: Stones in cats and dogs: What can be learnt from them?
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK.
authors.forename: Harriet M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Syme
keywords: Canine; Cystolith; Feline; RSS, relative supersaturation; Ureterolith; Uroliths