Association between hyperlipidemia and calcium oxalate lower urinary tract uroliths in dogs

Abstract

Background: Metabolic syndrome is associated with formation of calcium oxalate (CaOx) uroliths in humans.

Objectives: To investigate the association between obesity and hyperlipidemia with CaOx lower urinary tract uroliths in client-owned dogs.

Animals: Dogs with (n = 55, U [uroliths]-dogs) and without (n = 39, UF [uroliths-free]-dogs) CaOx lower urinary tract uroliths.

Methods: Case-control study. U-dogs were retrospectively enrolled and compared to UF-dogs. Body condition score (BCS; 1-9 scoring scale), serum triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (CH) concentrations and glycemia (after >12-hour food withholding) were recorded in both groups.

Results: On univariate logistic regression, when excluding Miniature Schnauzers, odds of having uroliths increased by a factor of 3.32 (95% CI 1.38-11.12) for each mmol/L of TG (P = .027), of 39 (95% CI 9.27-293.22) for each mmol/L of glycemia (P < .0001), and of 2.43 (95% CI 1.45-4.45) per unit of BCS (P = .002). In multivariable models, the effect of TG was retained when all breeds were included for analysis and odds of having uroliths increased by a factor of 4.34 per mmol/L of TG (95% CI 1.45-19.99; P = .02).

Conclusions and clinical importance: Serum lipid screening in dogs diagnosed with CaOx uroliths might be recommended to improve their medical staging and management.

Keywords: body condition score; canine; cholesterol; glycemia; obesity; obesity-related metabolic dysfunction; triglycerides; urolithiasis; uroliths.