Prevalence and risk factors of concurrent osteoarthritis and urolithiasis in dogs in Thailand (2018–2020)

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that significantly impacts dog health, often leading to chronic pain, reduced mobility, and behavioral changes that may predispose dogs to secondary conditions such as urolithiasis. This study aimed to investigate the association between osteoarthritis and urolithiasis in dogs using radiographic imaging data collected from the Small Animal Teaching Hospital, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, over a three-year period (January 2018 to December 2020). A total of 16,377 dogs were included, and cases of osteoarthritis, urolithiasis, or the concurrent occurrence of both conditions were identified through a systematic database review. Binary logistic regression models were used to assess associations between breed group, individual breed type, sex, and neuter status. Our results revealed that dogs diagnosed with osteoarthritis had significantly higher odds of developing urolithiasis compared to those without osteoarthritis (p < 0.001; OR = 1.7). Among these cases, 321 dogs were concurrently diagnosed with urolithiasis, with the Toy breed group being excessively affected. Further analysis showed that small breeds, particularly Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Pugs, Shih Tzus, and Malteses, had a significantly increased risk of developing the concurrent diseases. Males also had higher odds of developing urolithiasis, while neuter status showed no significant association. These findings suggest that mobility and behavioral changes associated with osteoarthritis, such as reduced overall mobility and water intake, and prolonged urine retention, may contribute to the development of secondary diseases such as urolithiasis. The significant predisposition of the Toy breed group to both conditions highlights the need for targeted management strategies, with breed groups, individual breed type, and sex playing key roles in their concurrent development.