SURGICAL-TREATMENT OF URATE CALCULI IN DALMATIANS - 38 CASES (1980-1995)

Objective-To assess clinical signs and response to surgical treatment in Dalmatians with urate urolithiasis. Design-Retrospective study. Ani mals-38 Dalmatians. Procedure-Medical records from 1980 to 1995 of Dal matians with urate urolithiasis were reviewed to obtain information on history, results of physical examination, hemogram, biochemical analy sis, urinalysis, bacterial culture of urine, diagnostic imaging, analy sis of calculi, treatment, and recurrence. Results-35 (92%) dogs were males. Mean age at admission was 4.9 years. Common clinical findings a nd initial complaints included dribbling of urine, stranguria, vomitin g, tense abdomen with signs of pain, and a large bladder. Hematuria wa s found in 85% of dogs in which urinalysis was performed. Crystalluria was found in 54% of dogs. Bacteria were isolated from urine from 36% of dogs. Contrast radiography and abdominal ultrasonography were the m ost sensitive diagnostic tests for uroliths. Dogs that underwent scrot al urethrostomy and cystotomy had the fewest number of recurrent clini cal signs that were attributable to urinary calculi. Clinical recurren ce rate in dogs on a protein-restricted diet was 27%, compared with th at (36%) for dogs on a commercial diet. Clinical Implications-Urate ur olithiasis is more commonly recognized in male Dalmatians compared wit h females. Contrast radiography and ultrasonography appear to be the m ost useful techniques for detecting urate uroliths. Scrotal urethrosto my and cystotomy was the most effective surgical treatment for prevent ing recurrence of clinical signs associated with calculi. Complete rem oval of calculi and protein-restricted diets may have a beneficial eff ect in reducing recurrence of calculi.