Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Uterine Lithiasis associated with neoplasia in a female dog: case report
- Journal:
- Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia
- Year:
- 2026
- Authors:
- K.O. Silva et al.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A ten-year-old mixed-breed female dog was brought to the vet because she was very tired, had a swollen belly, and was leaking fluid from her vagina. Tests showed she had a serious infection in her uterus, known as open pyometra, and there was a foreign object inside. During surgery to remove her uterus and ovaries, the vet found two stone-like formations and some abnormal growths in her uterus. Further testing revealed that these stones were made of specific minerals and that she had a type of cancer called high-grade squamous cell carcinoma. The treatment involved surgery, and while it provided some information about this rare condition, it also highlighted the importance of spaying to prevent such severe issues in female dogs.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Uterine lithiasis is an extremely rare condition in veterinary medicine, with few documented reports. This paper describes the case of a ten-year-old mixed-breed female dog presented with apathy, abdominal distension, and vaginal discharge. Laboratory and imaging examinations indicated open pyometra associated with the presence of a foreign body. During ovariohysterectomy, two pyramidal calculi were identified in the uterine lumen, along with rupture of the uterine horns and the presence of multiple nodules. Histopathological analysis confirmed a high-grade squamous cell carcinoma, while crystallographic analysis revealed that the calculi were primarily composed of struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate) and carbonate apatite (carbonated calcium phosphate). The formation of the calculi was attributed to a chronically inflamed and alkaline uterine environment, exacerbated by infection and neoplasia. This case report expands the understanding of the pathogenesis of uterine lithiasis in dogs and underscores the need for further studies to better elucidate this condition. Additionally, it highlights the importance of spaying in preventing severe uterine disorders in female dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-4162-13598