The objective of this investigation was 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.
In this prospective cross-sectional clinical study dogs (n=92) that were surgically treated for a thoracolumbar extradural compressive spinal cord lesion that was consistent with type 1 IVD extrusion were included.
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.
Source: Stiffler KS, Stevenson MA, Sanchez S, Barsanti JA, Hofmeister E, Budsberg SC. (2006): Prevalence and characterization of urinary tract infections in dogs with surgically treated type 1 thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion. In: Vet Surg. 2006 Jun;35(4):330-6.
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