Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Risk factors for urinary infections in dogs with liver shunts
By Tinoco-Najera, A et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2021·Texas A&M University, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Risk factors for urinary bacterial growth in dogs with congenital portosystemic shunts: 66 cases (1997-2019).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A one-year-old dog with a congenital portosystemic shunt was found to have a urinary tract infection, which can happen in dogs with this condition. The dog showed signs of bacteria in the urine, and tests revealed abnormalities in the urinary tract. Out of 66 dogs studied, 16 had positive urine cultures indicating bacterial growth. The findings suggest that if a dog with a portosystemic shunt has bacteria in their urine, they are at a higher risk for developing urinary infections. Treatment typically involves antibiotics to clear the infection.
People also search for: dog urinary tract infection treatment · congenital portosystemic shunt symptoms · bacteria in dog urine causes
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for urinary bacterial growth in dogs with confirmed congenital portosystemic shunts on which a quantitative urine culture was performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-six dogs were included in this retrospective cross-sectional study. Medical records were reviewed from 1997 through 2019. Variables of interest included age, sex and sexual status, clinical signs for a urinary tract infection, blood urea concentration, urinalysis abnormalities, ultrasound abnormalities of the urinary tract, and previous treatment. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed. RESULTS: The median age of the dogs was one year (range: 0.2-11.0 years). Urinary tract ultrasound abnormalities (cystic calculi and cystic debris) were reported in 50 dogs (75.7%). Abnormalities on urinalysis included pyuria in nine dogs (13.6%), bacteriuria in 13 dogs (19.7%), and haematuria in 26 dogs (39.4%). The median urine specific gravity was 1.021 (range: 1.004-1.052). Sixteen dogs (24.2%) had a positive quantitative urine culture. Based on multivariable analysis, bacteriuria (Odds ratio, 116; 95% CI, 9.6-1393; P = < 0.001) was the only variable significantly associated with a significantly increased odds for a positive quantitative urine culture. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Clinical and subclinical bacteriuria can occur in dogs with congenital portosystemic shunts. In this group of dogs, bacteriuria was a risk factor for urinary bacterial growth.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33491792/