What are the primary methods of antimicrobial defense for the urinary tract?
- Washout by urine
- bacterial interference via colonization of distal urethra
- Glycoprotein layer - mucin
- Epithelial desquamation
- Local & systemic immune systems: sIgA, MMP, cytokines during infection, rapid mobilization of cellular immune response
What are the antimicrobial properties of urine?
- High osmolality (esp. cats)
- Double edged sword b/c also suppresses leukocyte function
- Urine pH
- Urea, methionine, hippuric and ascorbic acid, ammonium nitrogen
Describe the characteristics of UTIs
- Most common infectious dz in dogs
- Ascending route = most common
- hematogenous route rare but can occur
- cats relatively resistant to UTI except geriatrics w/ renal failure
What are the clinical signs of UTIs?
- Dysuria, incr freq/volume, excessive thirst, pyrexia and/or hematuria, crystalluria/uroliths, lower back pain
Should R/O: bladder neoplasms, urinary obstructions, renal masses, urolithiasis (schnauzers, dachshund, Dalmatians, pugs, bulldogs, Welsh corgis, beagles, terriers)
Describe the technique for urine sampling and cultures
- Best sample = abdominal cystocentesis, then catheter
- Centrifuge at 200g for 15 min, streak pellet on BAP and MAC agars
- Gram and Giemsa stain of pellet
- Count < 1000/ml not significant, clinical bacteruria > 100,000/ml
What are the various methods of diagnosing and treating UTIs?
What are the various types of bacteria that can cause UTIs?
Describe the characteristics of mastitis
- Seen in postpartum dogs, rare in cats
- most likely pathogens = E. Coli, Staph spp.
- antibiotics pass to offspring —> don’t use tetracycline, chloramphenicol, aminoglycosides
- can use cephalexin or clavamox
What are the bacterial agents that cause pyometra?
- Most likely sources of uterine contamination (e.g. normal vaginal flora, subclinical UTI)
- E. Coli = most common
- Also Staph, Strep, Pseudomonas, or Proteus
Describe the characteristics of prostatitis
- Route of infection = hematogenous or ascending from urethra
- often concurrent UTI b/c prostatic fluid reflexes into bladder
- Potential agents = E. Coli, Staph, Strep, Mycoplasma/Ureaplasma
How do you treat prostatitis?
- Fluid therapy if dehydration or shock
- Abx selection on basis of sensitivity testing given for 1-4 wks
- large prostatic abscesses - drain surgically
- after infection resolved, castration should be considered
- chronic bacterial prostatitis = difficult to resolve
What are the primary canine urogenital pathogens?
What are some feline urogenital pathogens?
- FIP: immune mediated pyogranulomas of the kidneys
- FeLV: immune mediated glomerulonephritis, fetal absorption, abortion, renal lymphoma
- Feline panleukemia virus: abortion, congenital abnormalities
- FHV-1: abortion
