Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Clinical features and risk factors for development of urinary tract infections in cats.
- Journal:
- Journal of feline medicine and surgery
- Year:
- 2012
- Authors:
- Martinez-Ruzafa, Ivan et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
This study looked at 155 cats with urinary tract infections (UTIs) and compared them to 186 cats without UTIs to understand the signs and risk factors for these infections. Cats of all ages can get UTIs, and interestingly, about 35.5% of the infected cats showed no obvious signs related to their lower urinary tract. Some factors that increased the chances of a cat developing a UTI included urinary incontinence (leaking urine), having had certain medical procedures, undergoing urogenital surgery, having gastrointestinal disease, being underweight, and having more diluted urine. While other issues like kidney disease and anatomical problems in the urinary tract were also noted, they weren't strong enough on their own to be considered major risk factors. Overall, the study helps identify which cats might be more at risk for UTIs, which can be useful for pet owners and veterinarians.
Abstract
The clinical and diagnostic features of 155 cats with urinary tract infection (UTI) and 186 controls with negative urine culture/s were characterized retrospectively (signalment, clinical signs, urinalysis, urine culture, concurrent diseases, lower urinary tract diagnostic/therapeutic procedures). Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify risk factors associated with UTI. Cats of all ages were affected by UTI with no sex/breed predisposition. Lower urinary tract signs were absent in 35.5% of cats with UTI. Pyuria and bacteriuria had sensitivities of 52.9% and 72.9%, and specificities of 85.5% and 67.7% for detection of UTI, respectively. Risk factors significantly associated with increased odds of UTI were urinary incontinence [odds ratio (OR)=10.78, P=0.0331], transurethral procedures (OR=8.37, P<0.0001), urogenital surgery (OR=6.03, P=0.0385), gastrointestinal disease (OR=2.62, P=0.0331), decreased body weight (OR=0.81, P=0.0259) and decreased urine specific gravity (OR=0.78, P=0.0055). Whilst not independently significant, renal disease and lower urinary tract anatomic abnormalities improved statistical model performance and contributed to UTI.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22710859/