An increasing incidence of problematic nephroliths and ureteroliths has been seen in veterinary practice over the past decade. The invasiveness and morbidity associated with traditional surgical techniques like nephrotomy, ureterotomy, ureteral re-implantation and ureteral resection and anastomosis, makes these conditions a management dilemma. Interventional radiologic (IR) and interventional endoscopic (IE) techniques have enabled clinicians to simultaneously diagnose and treat upper tract stone disease in an effective, and minimally invasive manner. The technology requires the use of fluoroscopy, often with flexible and/or rigid endoscopy, lithotripsy, and various wires, catheters and stents. The development and improvements in endourology in human medicine (like ureteroscopy, ureteral stenting, ESWL, laser lithotripsy, laparoscopy, and percutaneous nephroureterolithotomy [PCNUL]) have almost eradicated the need for open surgery for upper urinary tract stone disease, as well as other etiologies (strictures, tumors, congenital anomalies, etc). The same trend is starting to occur in veterinary medicine and this talk will focus on the controversies that exist in veterinary medicine in making these decisions, both diagnostically and therapeutically.
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