What is the primary urolith found in dogs?

The primary urolith found in dogs is struvite. Struvite stones, also known as magnesium ammonium phosphate, can form in the urinary tract of dogs, particularly following urinary tract infections caused by urease-producing bacteria. These bacteria break down urea into ammonia, which raises the pH of the urine and leads to the precipitation of struvite crystals.

Struvite stones are more commonly observed in female dogs and can lead to urinary obstruction and other complications. Their formation is often associated with underlying conditions, such as urinary infections, which makes addressing the infection an essential part of treatment.

While other types of uroliths, such as calcium oxalate, urate, and cystine stones, can also occur in dogs, they are not as prevalent as struvite stones in the general population. Understanding the significance and formation of struvite uroliths helps in managing and preventing urinary tract issues in dogs.