Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Bladder stones caused by struvite in a pet Siberian chipmunk
By Kohutova, Silvia & Jekl, Vladimir·Published in The Journal of veterinary medical science·2021·Kleintierpraxis Vetstation AG·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Urolithiasis in a captive Siberian chipmunk (Eutamias sibiricus).
Plain-English summary
A pet chipmunk was brought in because it had noticeable lumps in its belly, which turned out to be urinary bladder stones. The veterinarian performed surgery to remove the stones, which were found to be made of struvite, a type of mineral. The chipmunk recovered well after the procedure. This case highlights the importance of proper care and diet for exotic pets like chipmunks, as not much is known about their health issues.
People also search for: chipmunk bladder stones · pet chipmunk care · struvite stones in chipmunks · exotic pet health issues
Abstract
This clinical case describes struvite urolithiasis in a pet chipmunk. Physical examination revealed the presence of two ovoid palpable masses in the caudal part of the abdomen, which were later confirmed by radiography as urinary bladder stone. The animal underwent ventral midline laparotomy and uroliths were successfully removed. Uroliths analysis revealed the presence of struvite and bacteriology showed the presence of Proteus mirabilis. Little is known about aetiology and incidence of urolithiasis in chipmunks. Client education about husbandry, dietary needs, and animal behaviour is necessary, especially when dealing with less commonly kept exotic companion mammals. This is the first report of struvite urolithiasis in a pet chipmunk.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34483186/