Vet Paul Aldrige Enjoys Rich Pickings After Urolith Removal

Jen Little, Hill’s Territory Manager hands over the £2000 prize to Paul Aldridge, Petmedics, Manchester. Vet Paul Aldrige of Petmedics in Manchester had a particularly successful day when he removed a cluster of uroliths from the bladder of an English bulldog. The surgery made for a happy patient and owner but the vet was especially happy because Paul was informed that he had bagged a £2000 prize, courtesy of Hill’s Pet Nutrition. The win came when he sent the uroliths to the Minnesota Urolith Center to participate in a competition sponsored by Hill’s UK in support of the launch of new Prescription DietTM c/dTM Reduced Calorie for cats. Though the winner was a canine patient this time, it was good news for the Bulldog that the sample was sent in, as the uroliths in question were found to contain urate. Purine uroliths, including urate, accounted for 6.4% of uroliths submitted to the Minnesota Urolith Center between 1981 – 2007.1 Staff at the Minnesota Urolith Center said that urate uroliths can vary in size, color, and texture. “This particular sample represents a good example of the need to submit uroliths for quantitative analysis. Physical appearance alone is insufficient to characterise mineral composition.” English bulldogs are one of the 66 breeds identified by the Minnesota Urolith Centre known to be affected by urate urolithiasis. Pet foods such as Hill’s Prescription DietTM u/dTM can be used to help reduce the risk of uroliths recurrence in the future. “We were very pleased to award the prize to Paul and congratulate him on being instrumental in producing such a successful outcome for his patient, said Sara Locke, Hill’s Associate Marketing Manager. Accurate urolith analysis is key. In many cases, these results enable vets to make accurate dietary recommendations that improve the long term prognosis for the patient.” The urolith analysis service is subsidised in part by an educational gift from Hill’s Pet Nutrition and is provided to veterinarians at no charge. Download forms to submit a sample of uroliths at www.hillspet.co.uk/urolith or www.hillspet.ie/urolith or by calling Hill’s on 0800 282438 or ROI 1800 626002.

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