Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Hyperthyroidism does not increase hidden urinary infections in cats
By Peterson, Mark E et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2020·Animal Endocrine Clinic, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Hyperthyroidism is not a risk factor for subclinical bacteriuria in cats: A prospective cohort study.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of hyperthyroid cats, which are cats with an overactive thyroid, were tested for a condition called subclinical bacteriuria, where bacteria are present in the urine without causing any symptoms of a urinary tract infection. The study found that only 4.3% of these hyperthyroid cats had this condition, which was similar to the 4.6% found in healthy cats. This suggests that hyperthyroidism does not increase the risk of subclinical bacteriuria, and routine urine cultures may not be necessary for hyperthyroid cats without urinary symptoms.
People also search for: cat hyperthyroidism urine culture · cat urinary tract infection symptoms · hyperthyroid cat treatment options
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Subclinical bacteriuria is defined as a positive bacterial urine culture in the absence of clinical evidence of urinary tract infection (UTI). Studies have reported that hyperthyroid cats have UTIs (mostly subclinical) with prevalence rates of 12%-22%. Consequently, clinicians consider hyperthyroidism a risk factor for development of subclinical bacteriuria, and many recommend urine culture when evaluating hyperthyroid cats. OBJECTIVES: To compare the prevalence of subclinical bacteriuria (based on positive urine culture) in untreated hyperthyroid cats to that in euthyroid cats of similar age and sex. ANIMALS: Three hundred and ninety-three hyperthyroid cats presented for radioiodine treatment and 131 euthyroid cats (≥7 years of age) presented for routine examination. Cats with signs of lower urinary tract disease were excluded. METHODS: Prospective cohort study. Both hyperthyroid and euthyroid cats had urine collected by cystocentesis for complete urinalysis and culture. Data pertaining to age, sex, body condition, and serum thyroxine and creatinine concentrations also were acquired. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate for potential risk factors for subclinical bacteriuria. RESULTS: Hyperthyroid cats showed a low prevalence of subclinical bacteriuria (4.3%), which did not differ from that found in euthyroid cats (4.6%). Of the signalment factors evaluated, only female sex was a significant risk factor (odds ratio [OR], 6.9; P = .002). Furthermore, positive urine cultures were more likely in specimens with dilute urine concentration (<1.035), pyuria, or microscopic bacteriuria. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Hyperthyroid cats are not at risk for subclinical bacteriuria. In the absence of lower urinary tract signs, no clinical benefit exists in routinely performing urine cultures when evaluating hyperthyroid cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32277782/