Urolithiasis is a common and sometimes dangerous disease that is frequently seen in goats, with males being affected more often than females. If left untreated, this condition can quickly lead to serious complications, such as urethral rupture, bladder rupture, or death. This condition is caused when uroliths form somewhere in a goat's urinary tract and become lodged, and the goat is unable to evacuate them. Urolithiasis can prevent the goat from urinating, even though urine is still produced. Several different factors play a role in a goat's risk of urolithiasis. For example, a goat's diet and the amount of water it drinks play a role in its chances of developing this disease. Additionally, a goat's age, breed and sex, as well as the pH of its urine, can affect the likelihood of a goat being diagnosed with urolithiasis. There are several different types of uroliths that can form, depending on the goat's diet. For example, silica uroliths are commonly found in goats that graze on silica-rich materials. Calcium carbonate uroliths are another type of urolith that can form due to problems with a goat's diet. This type of urolith forms when a goat's diet contains excessive amounts of calcium. One of the most common types of uroliths found in goats is struvite. Struvite uroliths are caused by an improperly balanced calcium-phosphorus ratio. A good Ca:P ratio for goats is about 2:1; If the goat is fed a diet too high in phosphorus and too low in calcium, struvite uroliths are likely to develop. Sturvite uroliths are usually caused by diets high in grains, due to excess phosphorus in the diet. Diets high in grains will increase phosphorus levels and decrease salvia production. Salvia is ben...... middle of paper ......recovery and observation it is determined that the operation relieved Pepper's obstruction. He no longer had symptoms indicating pain and was able to urinate regularly. To ensure that Pepper no longer formed stones, Mr. Smith was sent home with a urinary acidifier, ammonium chloride, to lower the pH of Pepper's urine. Mr. Smith was instructed to give Pepper one teaspoon once a day mixed with one to two gallons of cool water. Mr. Smith is told to come back in a week or two to test Pepper's urine again to see if he should continue taking the acidifier and to check for crystals. Additionally, it was recommended that Mr. Smith ensure that Pepper's diet had a properly balanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratio. Hopefully with surgery, urinary acidification and proper nutrition, Pepper will not have another problem with urolithiasis..