Structure and composition of canine urinary calculi.

The chemical constituents of 171 specimens of canine urinary calculi have been analysed by infrared spectroscopy. The analysis revealed that 46 per cent of the total contained struvite as the major component; 26 per cent contained cystine; 16 per cent were found to be composed of whewellite and, or, weddellite; 8 per cent of urates; 3 per cent of calcium phosphate (apatite and, or, brushite) and 1 per cent of silica. A series of selected samples was also studied by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX). This examination revealed structures similar to human stones. Potassium and complex urates containing two or more cations were commonly found in many areas of ammonium urate and sodium urate calculi. Moreover, EDAX analysis detected a calcium enriched urate in several zones of urate calculi.