The incidence of significant bacteriuria in the dog

Counts of the number of bacteria in canine urine samples have a bimodal distribution similar to that found in man. Therefore it is reasonable to accept the same criterion of significant bacteriuria in the dog as in man, namely a count of 10(5) or more organisms/ml. of urine. The incidence of significant bacteriuria in the total canine population was 1.4%. It was higher in bitches compared with male dogs, and higher in older animals. The larger proportion of Boxers affected was attributed to their greater age compared with the mean of the sample population. The most frequently observed clinical signs in case of significant bacteriuria were haematuria, incontinence and frequent urination, and only 4.1% of such cases were asymptomatic.