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==Urolithiasis==
*Urolithiasis is the main cause of obstruction in the lower urinary tract. Although it occurs in both males and females, urolithiasis is more common in males due to their long, narrow urethra.<br /br>
*Common sites of obstruction in the different species include:
:''cats'' - the urethra <br /br>
:''dogs'' - base of the os penis <br /br>
:''bulls'' - the proximal end of the sigmoid flexure or the ischial arch <br /br>
:''rams'' - vermiform appendage <br /br>
*The most common location for urolith formation is the bladder lumen although they may also occur in the renal pelvis, ureters or urethra.
*Consequences include obstruction, ulceration, cystitis, urethritis, nephritis, [[Kidney Vascular - Pathology#Hydronephrosis|hydronephrosis]] and rupture of the bladder or urethra.
*Predisposing factors include bacterial infection, alterations in pH of the urine, heredity, sex, species and decreased water intake.
===Types of uroliths===
'''Struvite'''
*most common urolith in small animals
*commonly associated with infection by urease producing organisms such as ''Staphylococcus'' or ''Proteus''
*more common in females due to increased susceptibility to urinary tract infections
*formation enhanced by the presence of alkaline urine
'''Calcium oxalate'''
*form due to supersaturation of urine with calcium
*often have spine-like projections
'''Urate'''
*Dalmations predisposed
'''Cystine'''
*occurs with cystinuria
'''Calcium carbonate'''
*occurs in horses
'''Silica'''
*occurs in pastured ruminants
*development of may be related to diet
==Definitions==
'''Urolithiasis''' - the presence of calculi, or uroliths, in the urinary passages. <br /br>
'''Urolith''' (calculus, stone) - polycrystalline concretion of precipitated urinary solutes, urinary proteins and proteinaceous debris.