Treatment of an atypical case of bilateral nephrolithiasis in a canine

ABSTRACT

Background: Less than 5% of canine uroliths are found in the kidney and ureter. The decision to remove a nephrolith iscontroversial and should be considered in cases of refractory infection, hematuria, presence of obstructive uropathy andcompression of the renal parenchyma. The aim of this report is to describe an unusual presentation of bilateral nephrolithiasis in a dog, occupying almost the entire renal parenchyma, its clinical and imaging findings, in addition to surgicaltreatment and its evolution.Case A 10-year-old male Basset Hound was evaluated at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (HCV) of the FederalUniversity of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), presenting prostration, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea and severe hematuriafor three days. On physical examination the patient was dehydrated, with pale mucous membranes, uremic breath andabdominal pain. Blood tests showed mild anemia and azotemia. In both kidneys, abdominal ultrasonography exhibited alarge hyperechoic structure with deep acoustic shadowing. These same structures were observed in abdominal radiographicexamination as radiopaque structures, confirming the diagnosis of bilateral nephrolithiasis. Urine culture was positive forcoagulase-negative Staphylococcus sp. The patient was stabilized with fluid therapy, antiemetic, analgesics, antibiotics andwhole blood transfusion. Unilateral nephrotomy of the right kidney was performed to remove the urolith. After three months,nephrotomy of the left kidney was performed to remove the other urolith...