Abstract
A higher frequency of canine silica urolithiasis is found in Mexico, unlike <1–8% in other countries. The causes and risk factors for this pathology are unknown. However, we consider the consumption of high amounts of silica from the solid diet or dissolved in water as the only hypothesis. This study aimed to identify the risk factors for silica urolithiasis in dogs from Mexico. A total of 1383 clinical cases of canine urolithiasis were included in this study; the uroliths were analyzed to determine their mineral composition by stereoscopic microscopy and infrared spectroscopy. Of these cases, 12.94% were considered pure silica uroliths; however, considering the mixed and compound uroliths, the frequency increased to 17.42%. Male dogs aged >6 years and large breeds, especially Labradors and Golden retrievers, were at significant risk for this disease. 98.88 % of the clinical cases studied were found in the central axis of the country, considering this finding as a possible geographical risk factor to be analyzed in another study.
Highlights
Urolithiasis is a chronic disease present in different dog populations globally
Knowledge of the mineral composition of the uroliths together with the clinical history and other diagnostic tests of the patient allow us to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms and the risk factors that contribute to the formation of uroliths, providing the necessary information to design a therapeutic protocol in order to prevent its recurrence in the long term
According to their mineral composition, there are different types of uroliths: those composed of struvite, calcium oxalate, purines, silica, calcium phosphate, or cystine, and those composed of a mixture of minerals known as mixed and compound uroliths
Summary
Urolithiasis is a chronic disease present in different dog populations globally. Knowledge of the mineral composition of the uroliths together with the clinical history and other diagnostic tests of the patient allow us to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms and the risk factors that contribute to the formation of uroliths, providing the necessary information to design a therapeutic protocol in order to prevent its recurrence in the long term.According to their mineral composition, there are different types of uroliths: those composed of struvite, calcium oxalate, purines, silica, calcium phosphate, or cystine, and those composed of a mixture of minerals known as mixed and compound uroliths. Is type of urolithiasis has been described in different animal species, such as ruminants, and is linked to the consumption of grasses with high silica content [10, 11] In humans, it has been associated with the chronic consumption of drugs that contain silicates [12]. Since certain medications are made of aluminum and magnesium silicate, or use colloidal silicon dioxide as a binder, lubricant, absorbent, or stabilizer of emulsions, the chronic intake of these drugs can contribute to the formation of silica stones [13] Another factor that has been associated with the development of silica urolithiasis is the consumption of water with a high content of silica [14]. The consumption of clay rich in silica has been described as a food condiment, or for pica [15]
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