Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns and Clinical Parameters in 208 Dogs with Positive Urine Cultures (2012-2014)

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Canine Urology

Background:

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in dogs, frequently caused by gram-negative enteric bacteria.
• Complicated UTIs and pyelonephritis are significant concerns in canine urological health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze clinical parameters, urinalysis, and culture results in dogs with UTIs.
• To identify risk factors and characteristics associated with complicated UTIs and antimicrobial resistance in dogs.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of medical records from 208 dogs with positive urine cultures over three years.
• Categorization of dogs based on case type (primary vs. referred), UTI complexity, antimicrobial pretreatment, and catheter use.

Main Results:

• Nearly 80% of dogs presented with complicated UTIs.
• 70% lacked clinical signs of lower urinary tract disease (LUTD), yet 68% showed hematuria and/or pyuria.
• Dogs pretreated with antimicrobials exhibited reduced susceptibility to enrofloxacin, indicating emerging resistance.

Conclusions:

• A high prevalence of complicated UTIs exists in dogs, often presenting with subtle or absent lower urinary tract disease signs.
• Antimicrobial stewardship is crucial, as pretreatment can influence bacterial susceptibility patterns, particularly against enrofloxacin.