Minimally Invasive and Conventional Surgical Approaches for Canine Urolithiasis: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Urolithiasis, the formation of urinary calculi, is a common urinary tract disorder in canines, with an increasing incidence attributed to dietary and environmental factors. This study aimed to assess the occurrence and surgical management of urolithiasis in dogs, evaluating three different treatment modalities: conventional cystotomy, laparoscopic-assisted cystotomy (LAC), and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). A total of 100 dogs with symptoms of haematuria, dysuria, and urinary obstruction were screened, out of which 16 were diagnosed with urolithiasis. The prevalence was higher in male dogs (81.25%), particularly in Spitz breeds (31.25%) and those above eight years of age (50%). Based on stone location and size, cases were divided into three groups: Group I (cystoliths >2 cm) underwent conventional cystotomy, Group II (cystoliths 6 mm–2 cm) underwent LAC, and Group III (nephroliths >3 mm) were treated with ESWL. The study revealed that conventional cystotomy was effective but had a higher incidence of postoperative complications, including wound dehiscence and peritonitis. LAC provided a minimally invasive alternative with reduced postoperative complications and faster recovery. ESWL successfully fragmented nephroliths with no major complications, offering a non-invasive approach for kidney stones. Haemato-biochemical parameters, including blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, showed significant improvement postoperatively across all groups. Laparoscopic-assisted cystotomy emerged as a superior technique for moderate-sized cystoliths due to its minimal invasiveness and lesser complications. ESWL proved to be an effective, non-surgical alternative for nephrolith management. This study underscores the importance of advanced surgical techniques in canine urolithiasis treatment and suggests further exploration of ESWL for ureteroliths in both canines and felines.