Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Metabolic differences in Miniature Schnauzers with calcium oxalate
By Coffey, Emily L et al.·Published in Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society·2026·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Serum and urine metabolomic profiling in Miniature Schnauzer dogs with and without calcium oxalate urolithiasis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of Miniature Schnauzers with calcium oxalate stones in their urinary tract were studied to understand their metabolic profiles compared to those without stones. The researchers found that the dogs with stones had lower levels of certain metabolites in their blood, which might be linked to their diet. Interestingly, the urine of the stone-forming dogs showed higher levels of specific compounds, suggesting a different metabolic state. While no significant differences in fat levels were found, these findings could help identify dietary changes that might prevent stone formation in this breed.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Calcium oxalate (CaOx) urolithiasis is associated with metabolic disorders, including dyslipidemia. Improved understanding of underlying metabolic derangements is needed. The Miniature Schnauzer presents an opportunity to investigate connections between hyperlipidemia and CaOx stones, as both are prevalent in the breed. OBJECTIVES: To characterize lipidomic (serum) and metabolomic (serum and urine) profiles in Miniature Schnauzers with (cases) and without (controls) CaOx urolithiasis. METHODS: Ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy was performed on serum from cases (n = 15) and controls (n = 27) for lipidomic and metabolomic analysis. Urine metabolomics was included for a subset of dogs. Ten metabolites with previously established biological links to urolithiasis were prespecified as "high priority." Cases and controls were compared to identify differentially abundant metabolites (FDR-adjusted q-values). RESULTS: No lipid species were differentially abundant. Three serum metabolites differed between groups (all lower in cases): 10-undecenoate, N-delta-acetylornithine, and glutarate (q-values 0.005, 0.03, and 0.009, respectively). Cluster analysis of high priority metabolites identified a subset of cases with distinct profiles, characterized by lower citrate and higher phosphate, glycine, and hippurate. Urinary profiles exhibited 202 differentially abundant metabolites, including higher acetylcarnitine and carnitine in cases (q-values 0.002 for both). CONCLUSIONS: No differences in lipids were identified between Miniature Schnauzers with and without CaOx stones. Distinct metabolic subsets of stone formers might exist within the breed. Reduced N-delta-acetylornithine in stone formers is also reported in human stone formers and might reflect dietary acid load. Acetylcarnitine and carnitine enrichment in the urine of stone formers also warrants further exploration.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41961373/