Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How added salt affects calcium oxalate risk in healthy dogs
By Lulich, Jody P et al.·Published in American journal of veterinary research·2005·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Effects of dietary supplementation with sodium chloride on urinary relative supersaturation with calcium oxalate in healthy dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of healthy adult Beagles was fed a special diet to prevent calcium oxalate (CaOx) bladder stones, with some dogs receiving added sodium chloride (salt). After 28 days, the dogs on the salt-supplemented diet had lower levels of substances that contribute to stone formation in their urine, even though their overall calcium levels didn't change. This suggests that adding salt to their diet might help reduce the risk of stone formation. However, more research is needed to ensure this approach is safe and effective for long-term use in dogs prone to bladder stones.
People also search for: dog bladder stones diet · Beagle calcium oxalate prevention · sodium chloride for dog urinary health
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with sodium chloride (NaCl) on urinary calcium excretion, urine calcium concentration, and urinary relative supersaturation (RSS) with calcium oxalate (CaOx). ANIMALS: 6 adult female healthy Beagles. PROCEDURE: By use of a crossover study design, a canned diet designed to decrease CaOx urolith recurrence with and without supplemental NaCl (i.e., 1.2% and 0.24% sodium on a dry-matter basis, respectively) was fed to dogs for 6 weeks. Every 14 days, 24-hour urine samples were collected. Concentrations of lithogenic substances and urine pH were used to calculate values of urinary RSS with CaOx. RESULTS: When dogs consumed a diet supplemented with NaCl, 24-hour urine volume and 24-hour urine calcium excretion increased. Dietary supplementation with NaCl was not associated with a change in urine calcium concentration. However, urine oxalate acid concentrations and values of urinary RSS with CaOx were significantly lower after feeding the NaCI-supplemented diet for 28 days. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dietary supplementation with NaCl in a urolith-prevention diet decreased the propensity for CaOx crystallization in the urine of healthy adult Beagles. However, until long-term studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of dietary supplementation with NaCl in dogs with CaOx urolithiasis are preformed, we suggest that dietary supplementation with NaCl be used cautiously.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15757134/