Canine urolithiasis in Sweden and Norway: Retrospective survey of prevalence and epidemiology

It was estimated that 23 to 24 dogs per 10,000 in Sweden were operated on for urolithiasis between 1956 and 1982. During this period urinary calculi were confirmed in 2898 dogs of 95 breeds, chiefly in chondrodystrophic and well proportioned (not short legged) miniature breeds. The distribution between the sexes in the period 1956 to 1970 was estimated at 57 per cent male and 43 per cent female in the chondrodystrophic breeds, 74 per cent male and 26 per cent female in the well proportioned miniatures, and 83 per cent and 17 per cent female in the large breeds; in the dalmatian (1956 to 1982) 94 per cent were male and 6 per cent female. Urinary calculi were found at a younger age in the chondrodystrophic breeds (1956 to 1970) than in the well proportioned miniature dogs and in large dogs (P<0–001). It was estimated that five dogs per 10,000 in Norway were operated on for urolithiasis between 1956 and 1970. During this period urinary calculi were diagnosed in 71 dogs of 28 breeds. Seventy-nine per cent were male and 21 per cent were female. Urolithiasis in dogs appears to be chiefly constitutionally dependent. Chondrodystrophic breeds and small breeds are particularly susceptible.