Uric Acid Stones in the Black RussianTerrier

University of California, Davis has an ongoing research program to study gene mutation that causes Hyperuriocosuria which is an inherited as an autosomal recessive
disease.    For more information on having your dog tested contact Dept of  Population Health and Reproduction, School of  Veterinary Medicine at  530-752-1358.
UC Davis has extensive information on the uric acid stone studies.  This information can be found at http://www.vgl.ucdavis.edu/services/Hyperuricosuria.php.


 
                                                                Uric Acid (Hyperuricosuria) Genetic Testing Results 
                                                            Wild Type = Clear of the Genetic Defect (healthy) 
                                                                              Carrier = Carries the defective gene but not affected 
                                                                                Affected = Possess 2 copies of the mutated gene 
                                                    To develop Hyperuricosuria both parents must pass the defective gene in order to
                                                                         excrete high levels of uric acid that result in stone formation. 
 
 
 
Hopefully this is an issue that will never come up but the following are signs of irritation in the lower urinary tract which would indicate a search for stones should be made:

• Bloody urine
• Straining to urinate
• Urinating small amounts frequently
• Seeing gritty material in the dog’s urine
• 
  Uric acid stones may or may not be visible on plain radiographs. Often ultrasound or contrast radiography (use of special urinary dyes to create a “double contrast cystogram”) are needed to see the stones.
  
  Urinary obstruction is an emergency!
  
  If you have a male dog straining to urinate, bring him to the vet right away. He may have stones obstructing his urethra (the passage way for urine in the male dog goes through an actual bone called the “os penis” and stones often catch at this location). If this has occurred, a urinary catheter must be used to push the stone back into the urinary bladder where it can either be removed or dissolved.
  
  STONE REMOVAL VIA SURGERY
  
  Surgery is the fastest way to remove bladder stones. The bladder is surgically opened and the stones are removed and sent to the lab for analysis. The urinary tract is flushed to get all stones out including those hiding in the urethra. The bladder is closed and tested for leaks. The abdomen is closed and the patient generally goes home in a day or two depending on their ability to urinate and his or her appetite. This all sounds simple but there are disadvantages:
  

• Surgery is relatively expensive.
• Anesthesia is not without risk, though with modern monitoring equipment risks have been minimized.
• BRTs with uric acid stones may have hundreds of small stones and may also have stones actually embedded in the bladder wall. It may not be possible to get them all out. (If this happens, remaining stones may be handled by dissolution).
• The bladder may not heal normally (a rare complication but a possible one) and leaks in the urinary tract can be life-threatening.