Vitamin D metabolism in dogs with and without hypercalciuric calcium oxalate urolithiasis

Abstract

Background: There are abnormalities in vitamin D metabolism in people with calcium nephrolithiasis, but limited data are available on vitamin D status in dogs with calcium oxalate (CaOx) urolithiasis. Objective: To compare serum concentrations of vitamin D metabolites in dogs with and without hypercalciuric CaOx urolithiasis. Animals: Thirty-eight dogs with (n = 19) and without (n = 19) a history of CaOx urolithiasis and hypercalciuria. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH) 2 D], and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [24,25(OH) 2 D] were measured. The ratios of 25(OH)D/24,25(OH) 2 D and 1,25(OH) 2 D/25(OH)D were compared between cases and controls. Results: There were no significant differences between cases and controls when comparing 25(OH)D, 24,25(OH) 2 D, 1,25(OH) 2 D, or 1,25(OH) 2 D/25(OH)D. Cases had higher 25(OH)D/24,25(OH) 2 D (median = 1.40, range = 0.98-1.58) compared to controls (median = 1.16, range = 0.92-2.75; P =.01). There was overlap in the ranges for 25(OH)D/24,25(OH) 2 D between cases and controls, but 6 cases (32%) had ratios above the control dog range. There was a moderate positive correlation between the ratio of 25(OH)D/24,25(OH) 2 D and urinary calcium-to-creatinine ratios (r = 0.40, 95% confidence interval = 0.10-0.64; P =.01). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: These data suggest that decreased conversion of 25(OH)D to 24,25(OH) 2 D occurs in a subset of dogs with CaOx urolithiasis. Abnormalities in vitamin D metabolism might contribute to stone risk in dogs.