Uterine Lithiasis associated with neoplasia in a female dog: case report

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.