Urate Kidney & Bladder Stones
This condition causes kidney and bladder stones composed of urate. In most dogs, uric acid is converted to allantoin, an inert substance that is then excreted in the urine. Dogs with HUU have defects in the pathway that converts uric acid to allantoin. As such, uric acid builds up, crystallizes and forms urate stones in the kidney and bladder. Uric acid is an intermediate of purine metabolism. While hyperuricemia in other species (including humans) can lead to painful conditions such as gout, dogs do not develop systemic signs of hyperuricemia.
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Signs and symptoms
Affected dogs will show no clinical signs of disease in the early stages. As stones form, dogs will often urinate more frequently, urinate in inappropriate places, and possibly have blood in their urine. If a urinary obstruction forms, they are unable to urinate despite frequent straining. This is a medical emergency.
Most dogs are adults before they show any signs of urinary issues (4-6 years on average). -
Diagnosis
Urate stones are invisible on X-rays and must be diagnosed by a veterinarian via ultrasound or urine sediment analysis. If left undiagnosed, bladder stones can lead to urinary obstruction, which can be life-threatening.
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Treatment
If caught early, it is responsive to dietary management. Surgical intervention is often required when stones or an obstruction forms.
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What to do if your dog is at risk
Actions
- Closely monitoring your dog's urination habits, routine lab work, and following your veterinarian's nutritional advice are the best ways to keep your dog healthy.
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Genetic Information
This mutation was first described in the Dalmatian.
This mutation is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner; that is, a dog requires two copies of the mutation to show signs of the disease.
Gene names:
SLC2A9 (Exon 5) ‐ chr
Inheritance type:
recessive
Citations:
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Breeds affected
This health condition affects the following breeds
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American Pit Bull Terrier
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American Staffordshire Terrier
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Australian Shepherd
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Biewer Terrier
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Black Russian Terrier
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Boerboel
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American Bulldog
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Bulldog
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French Bulldog
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Catahoula Leopard Dog
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Coton de Tulear
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Czechoslovakian Vlcak
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Dalmatian
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Danish-Swedish Farmdog
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Drentsche Patrijshond
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English Shepherd
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Finnish Lapphund
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German Shepherd Dog
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Giant Schnauzer
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Labrador Retriever
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Lagotto Romagnolo
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Mastiff
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Miniature/MAS-type Australian Shepherd
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Munsterlander (Large)
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Pomeranian
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Russell-type Terrier
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Shiloh Shepherd
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Spanish Water Dog
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Swedish Vallhund
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Weimaraner
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White Shepherd
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Wirehaired Vizsla
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Yorkshire Terrier
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