Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Urinary tract infections in dogs after spinal disc surgery
By Stiffler, Kevin S et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2006·Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Prevalence and characterization of urinary tract infections in dogs with surgically treated type 1 thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 92 dogs that had surgery for a type 1 intervertebral disc problem were checked for urinary tract infections (UTIs) before and after their procedures. About 27% of these dogs developed a UTI, with the highest rates occurring in females and those unable to walk or urinate on their own. Factors like not receiving certain antibiotics during surgery and having a low body temperature while under anesthesia also increased the risk of infection. It's important for pet owners to monitor their dogs for UTI symptoms after such surgeries, especially if their dog is female or has mobility issues.
People also search for: dog urinary tract infection after surgery · signs of UTI in dogs · female dog UTI treatment · intervertebral disc disease in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of urinary tract infections (UTI), factors that correlate positively with UTI, and whether identified UTI are most likely community- or hospital acquired in dogs with surgically treated type 1 thoracolumbar intervertebral disc (IVD) extrusions. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cross-sectional clinical study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Dogs (n=92) that were surgically treated for a thoracolumbar extradural compressive spinal cord lesion that was consistent with type 1 IVD extrusion. METHODS: Dogs were evaluated for bacterial lower UTI when possible by cystocentesis and urine culture before surgery, and 48-72, 96-120 hours, and 7 days after surgery while hospitalized. Paraparesis, confirmation of thoracolumbar extruded nucleus pulposus, and informed owner consent were required for study inclusion. Urine specimens (n=297) were cultured and both objective and subjective clinical data were obtained. RESULTS: Prevalence of UTI in dogs with surgically treated type 1 thoracolumbar IVD extrusion was 27% (25 dogs). Temporal prevalence of UTI was 15% (13/89) before surgery, 12% (11/91) at 2-3 days, 16% (12/76) at 4-5 days, and 20% (8/41) at 7 days after surgery. Statistically significant factors affecting UTI prevalence included neurologic and urinary status, sex, administration of perioperative antibiotics, and amount of time body temperature was <35 degrees C during anesthesia. CONCLUSION: UTI are common in dogs with surgically treated type 1 thoracolumbar IVD extrusion. Females, dogs that cannot ambulate or voluntarily urinate, dogs not administered perioperative cefazolin, and dogs whose body temperature falls <35 degrees C during anesthesia have a higher incidence of UTI. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: All dogs with surgically treated type 1 thoracolumbar IVD extrusion should be monitored for the presence of UTI; however, close attention should be paid to females and dogs that cannot ambulate or voluntarily urinate.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16756612/