Peculiarities of ultrasound and radiological signs of urolithiasis in dogs

The purpose of the present research was to define the peculiarities of ultrasound and radiological sings of urolithiasis in dogs. Object of the study were 30 dogs with diagnosed urolithiasis (struvite crystals were found in 45% of cases, calcium oxalate crystals in 48% and urate crystals in 7%). The ultrasound examination was conducted according to the generally accepted methods in real time on an ultrasonic diagnostic scanner ETS-D-05 “RASKAN” with convection sensor 5 and 7.5 MHz. The X-ray examination was conducted using the stationary veterinary complex of direct digital radiography X-R Static Classic X-DR XL with the software EXAMION X-R AQS-vet 3.0. It has been established that dogs of the breed Yorkshire Terrier are the most predisposed to urolithiasis (32%). Animals admitted to the clinic with diagnosed urolithiasis were in most cases aged between 5 and 10 (65%). No significant difference was evidenced between females and males while determining the sexual predisposition of dogs to urinary stone disease: 55% males and 45% females were diagnosed with urolithiasis. According to the results of ultrasound examination of the urinary system, big concretions were registered in 32% of cases, while in 68% a hyperechogenic suspension in the cavity of the bladder was registered. During the x-ray examination, the density, shape and surface of the concretions were described.