Urolithiasis (Canine) — NAVLE Prep

Quick anchor

Trigger

Recurrent dysuria, hematuria, or obstruction signs

Confirm

Imaging plus urinalysis/culture context

Decide

Obstructed? removable? dissolvable?

Trap

Not all stones are dissolvable struvite stones

Exam core — read this first

Typical presentation → recurrent LUTD signs, recurrent infection, or urethral obstruction

Board priority → confirm stones with imaging and decide whether the patient is blocked

Management logic → some stones require removal; some struvite cases may dissolve with the right conditions

High-yield association → uroliths often recur and may predispose to cystitis or obstruction

Pattern recognition

Core pattern

Recurrent hematuria / dysuriaCrystalluria or UTI history may coexistObstruction risk if stones enter the urethra

Supporting clues

Radiographic or ultrasound evidencePalpable bladder stones sometimes presentMale dogs have more urethral obstruction concernRecurrent lower urinary signsMay coexist with infection

NAVLE trigger: The exam often hands you recurrent LUTD plus an imaging clue and asks what to do next.

Decision core — what NAVLE actually asks

Stone-associated obstruction

→ This is an emergency branch, not an outpatient stone discussion

Non-obstructed stones confirmed on imaging

→ Choose management based on stone type, location, and whether dissolution is realistic

Recurrent stone former

→ Long-term prevention and infection control are part of the plan

Key interpretation

Imaging

Essential

Confirms stones and location

Obstruction risk

Must assess

Especially if urethral involvement is suspected

Culture

Often relevant

Some stone types travel with infection

Stone type

Matters

Determines dissolution versus removal logic

Recurrence

Common

Prevention matters after initial treatment

Crystals

Helpful not definitive

Do not overcall stone type from crystals alone

⚠ Do not assume every stone is dissolvable. NAVLE often rewards recognizing when definitive removal is the safer branch.

Treatment

Step 1

Stabilize and relieve obstruction if present

Obstructed stone cases are emergencies.

Step 2

Use imaging and clinical context to decide between removal and, when appropriate, dissolution

Stone type and location determine whether medical dissolution is realistic.

Step 3

Address infection and recurrence prevention after the immediate problem is solved

Stones are often a long-term management issue.

NAVLE traps — where students lose marks

Do not promise dissolution for every stone

That is one of the most common board distractors.

Crystalluria alone does not equal a specific stone diagnosis

Imaging and overall context matter more.

Obstruction changes a routine stone case into an emergency

Once blocked, the priority is rescue, not elective planning.

Recurrent infection may be cause, consequence, or companion to stones

The board often pairs these together.

Differentials — how to separate these on NAVLE

Fast separator: Urolithiasis causes recurrent LUTD or obstruction and is confirmed by imaging. Separate it from simple cystitis and non-stone obstruction causes.

Problem	Main clue	Imaging role	Board separator
Simple cystitis	Lower urinary signs only	Often normal for stones	No stone target seen
Urolithiasis	Recurrent LUTD or obstruction signs	Confirms stones/location	Stone type determines management branch
Urethral obstruction (non-stone)	Blocked patient	May not reveal cystic stones	Cause is not necessarily a urolith
Bladder tumor	Lower urinary signs / hematuria	Mass rather than stone	Different lesion on imaging

30-second revision

ThinkRecurrent LUTD or obstruction + imaging evidence

Confirm withRadiographs / ultrasound

Ask nextBlocked? removable? dissolvable?

ComplicationsCystitis and obstruction

TrapNot all stones dissolve

Practice questions

Pre-built NAVLE-style · Urolithiasis

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Q1Recognition

Which finding most strongly supports canine urolithiasis?

Q2Emergency branch

What feature converts a stone case into an emergency?

Q3Treatment logic

Why is “just dissolve it” an unsafe blanket answer for canine urolithiasis?

Q4Association

Which problem commonly accompanies or is promoted by canine urolithiasis?

Q5Trap question

Which statement about canine urolithiasis is most accurate?