Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Managing kidney stones in pets - treatment options explained
By Milligan, Melissa & Berent, Allyson C·Published in The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice·2019·The Animal Medical Center, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Medical and Interventional Management of Upper Urinary Tract Uroliths.
Plain-English summary
Nephroliths, or kidney stones, often don’t show any signs until they cause problems. If the stones aren’t blocking anything and can be dissolved, that’s usually the first step. If they are causing issues, a procedure to remove them might be needed. Depending on the type and size of the stones, as well as the species of the animal, different methods like shockwave therapy or endoscopic surgery can be used. It's important for veterinarians to be well-trained in these techniques to ensure the best results for pets.
Abstract
Nephroliths are often clinically silent. When non-obstructive and of an amenable stone type, dissolution should be attempted. When problematic, nephrolithotomy can be considered. Depending on stone type, size, and species, extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy or endoscopic nephrolithotomy are preferred techniques. Obstructive ureterolithiasis should be addressed immediately to preserve kidney function. Because of decreased morbidity and mortality and versatility for all causes, interventional techniques for kidney decompression are preferred by the authors. Proper training and expertise in these interventional techniques should be acquired before performing them on clinical patients for the best possible outcomes.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30736892/