Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns from urinary isolates obtained from cats (2013‐2020)

BackgroundBacterial urinary tract infections have been associated with comorbidities and increased antimicrobial resistance over time.ObjectiveTo identify bacterial species, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and risk factors associated with antimicrobial resistance.AnimalsThree hundred sixty-three positive urine cultures from 308 cats.MethodsBacterial species and antimicrobial susceptibility data from positive aerobic bacterial urine cultures from cats with growth of ≥103 colony forming units per milliliter (cfu/ml) were included. Medical records were reviewed, and bacteriuria was classified as sporadic bacterial cystitis, recurrent bacterial cystitis or subclinical bacteriuria (SBU). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate antimicrobial resistance risk factors.ResultsA total of 444 bacterial isolates from 363 bacteriuric episodes were identified. Escherichia coli (52%) and SBU (59%) were the most common organism and classification, respectively. When compared to other classifications of bacteriuria, Enterococcus spp. were more likely to be isolated from SBU episodes (P < .001), whereas E. coli was more likely to be isolated from sporadic bacterial cystitis episodes (P < .001). Recurrent bacterial cystitis was associated with an increased risk of antimicrobial resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (odds ratio [OR], 3.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-11.3). The percent susceptibilities of all bacterial isolates to commonly prescribed antimicrobials were amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (72%), cefazolin (49%), enrofloxacin (61%), and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (75%). Multidrug resistance was highest for Enterococcus faecium isolates (65%).Conclusions and clinical importanceNo antimicrobial achieved >90% susceptible designation to all bacteria isolated highlighting the importance of performing urine culture and susceptibility testing, particularly for cats with recurrent bacterial cystitis

Changes in blood pressure following escalating doses of phenylpropanolamine and a suggested protocol for monitoring.

This prospective, cross-over, blinded study evaluated the effect of various doses of phenylpropanolamine (PPA) on blood pressure in dogs. Dogs were randomized to receive a placebo or 1 of 3 dosages of immediate release PPA, q12h for 7 days [1 mg/kg body weight (BW), 2 mg/kg BW, or 4 mg/kg BW] in a cross-over design. Blood pressure was recorded every 2 h, for 12 h, on days 1 and 7. There were significant increases in systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure following administration of PPA at 2 mg/kg BW and 4 mg/kg BW. A significant decrease in heart rate was also noted at all PPA dosages, but not in the placebo. Administration of PPA was associated with a dose response increase in blood pressure. Dosages of up to 2 mg/kg BW should be considered safe in healthy dogs

Urolithiasis in dogs: Evaluation of trends in urolith composition and risk factors (2006-2018).

BackgroundUrolithiasis is a common and often recurrent problem in dogs.ObjectiveTo evaluate trends in urolith composition in dogs and to assess risk factors for urolithiasis, including age, breed, sex, neuter status, urolith location, and bacterial urolith cultures.Sample populationA total of 10 444 uroliths and the dogs from which they were obtained.MethodsThe laboratory database at the UC Davis Gerald V. Ling Urinary Stone Analysis Laboratory was searched for all urolith submissions from dogs between January 2006 and December 2018. Mineral type, age, breed, sex, neuter status, urolith location, and urolith culture were recorded. Trends were evaluated and variables compared to evaluate risk factors.ResultsCalcium oxalate (CaOx) and struvite-containing uroliths comprised the majority of all submissions from dogs, representing 47.0% and 43.6%, respectively. The proportion of CaOx-containing uroliths significantly decreased from 49.5% in 2006 to 41.8% in 2018 (P = .006), with no change in the proportion of struvite-containing urolith submissions. Cystine-containing uroliths comprised 2.7% of all submissions between 2006 and 2018 and a significant nonlinear increase in this mineral type occurred over time (1.4% of all submissions in 2006 to 8.7% in 2018; P < .001). Of all cystine-containing uroliths, 70.3% were from intact male dogs. Age, breed, and sex predispositions for uroliths were similar to those previously identified.Conclusions and clinical importanceAlthough calcium oxalate- and struvite-containing uroliths continue to be the most common uroliths submitted from dogs, a decrease in the proportion of CaOx-containing uroliths and an increase in the proportion of cystine-containing uroliths occurred during the time period evaluated

Urolithiasis in dogs: Evaluation of trends in urolith composition and risk factors (2006‐2018)

Abstract Background Urolithiasis is a common and often recurrent problem in dogs. Objective To evaluate trends in urolith composition in dogs and to assess risk factors for urolithiasis, including age, breed, sex, neuter status, urolith location, and bacterial urolith cultures. Sample Population A total of 10 444 uroliths and the dogs from which they were obtained. Methods The laboratory database at the UC Davis Gerald V. Ling Urinary Stone Analysis Laboratory was searched for all urolith submissions from dogs between January 2006 and December 2018. Mineral type, age, breed, sex, neuter status, urolith location, and urolith culture were recorded. Trends were evaluated and variables compared to evaluate risk factors. Results Calcium oxalate (CaOx) and struvite‐containing uroliths comprised the majority of all submissions from dogs, representing 47.0% and 43.6%, respectively. The proportion of CaOx‐containing uroliths significantly decreased from 49.5% in 2006 to 41.8% in 2018 (P = .006), with no change in the proportion of struvite‐containing urolith submissions. Cystine‐containing uroliths comprised 2.7% of all submissions between 2006 and 2018 and a significant nonlinear increase in this mineral type occurred over time (1.4% of all submissions in 2006 to 8.7% in 2018; P < .001). Of all cystine‐containing uroliths, 70.3% were from intact male dogs. Age, breed, and sex predispositions for uroliths were similar to those previously identified. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Although calcium oxalate‐ and struvite‐containing uroliths continue to be the most common uroliths submitted from dogs, a decrease in the proportion of CaOx‐containing uroliths and an increase in the proportion of cystine‐containing uroliths occurred during the time period evaluated

Urolithiasis in cats: Evaluation of trends in urolith composition and risk factors (2005-2018).

BackgroundUrolithiasis is an important upper and lower urinary tract disease in cats that results in morbidity and mortality.ObjectiveTo describe trends in composition of uroliths in cats and evaluate risk factors related to age, breed, sex, urolith location, and bacterial urolith cultures.Sample populationA total of 3940 uroliths and the cats from which they were obtained.MethodsThe database of the UC Davis Gerald V. Ling Urinary Stone Analysis Laboratory was searched for all urolith submissions from cats between January 2005 and December 2018. Mineral type, age, breed, sex, and urolith location and culture results were recorded. Trends were evaluated and variables compared to evaluate risk factors.ResultsA significant decrease in the proportion of calcium oxalate (CaOx)-containing uroliths occurred over time (P = .02), from 50.1% (204/407) of all submissions in 2005 to 37.7% (58/154) in 2018. In contrast, the proportion of struvite-containing uroliths increased significantly (P = .002), from 41.8% (170/407) in 2005 to 54.5% (84/154) in 2018. The proportion of CaOx-containing uroliths in the upper urinary tract was significantly higher compared to the proportion of other urolith types in the upper urinary tract. Urate-containing uroliths were the third most common type (361/3940, 9.2%). Overall, sex and age predispositions were similar to those reported previously.Conclusions and clinical importanceThe decrease in the proportion of CaOx-containing uroliths and increase in the proportion of struvite-containing uroliths warrants investigation. Further education regarding the efficacy of medical dissolution of struvite-containing uroliths is recommended

Diagnostic yield of uroendoscopy compared to ultrasonography for evaluating lower urinary tract disorders in dogs

BackgroundCystourethroscopy and vaginoscopy (uroendoscopy) is often used in the diagnostic evaluation of dogs with lower urinary tract disorders (LUTD).Objective/hypothesisTo evaluate if uroendoscopy is warranted in dogs with various LUTD, the agreement between uroendoscopic and ultrasonographic diagnoses were compared. Dogs with recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTI) will have the highest diagnostic agreement between uroendoscopy and ultrasonography (US) compared to dogs presenting for other LUTD.AnimalsTwo hundred thirty-seven dogs presenting between 2014 and 2019 with lower urinary tract signs (LUTS) that had US within 60 days preceding uroendoscopy.MethodsRetrospective study. Dogs were categorized by primary indication for ultrasound. Pertinent uroendoscopic findings were recorded and agreements (κ analysis) between the final uroendoscopic diagnosis were compared with the final ultrasonographic diagnosis.ResultsPertinent uroendoscopic findings were recorded for 69/237 (29%) cases. For dogs presenting primarily for urinary incontinence (UI), agreement between uroendoscopy and US was 71% (46/65; κ&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.47, 95% CI 0.28-0.66), for dogs with stranguria, 58% (29/50; κ&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.47, 95% CI 0.31-0.62) and for dogs with rUTI the agreement was substantial at 87% (26/30; κ&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.70, 95% CI 0.43-0.98). Urethral strictures were the majority (14/21; 67%) of pertinent uroendoscopic findings for dogs with stranguria, of which 12 were male dogs.Conclusions and clinical importanceAgreement between uroendoscopy and US was moderate for all dogs. Based on these data, recommendation for uroendoscopy should be tailored to individual clinical presentation and signalment; transabdominal US is not the preferred modality for urethral lesions

MicroRNA profiling of dogs with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder using blood and urine samples

Abstract Background Early signs of canine transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) are frequently assumed to be caused by other lower urinary tract diseases (LUTD) such as urinary tract infections, resulting in late diagnosis of TCC which could be fatal. The development of a non-invasive clinical test for TCC could dramatically reduce mortality. To determine whether microRNAs (miRNAs) can be used as non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers, we assessed miRNA expression in blood and/or urine from dogs with clinically normal bladders (n = 28), LUTD (n = 25), and TCC (n = 17). Expression levels of 5 miRNA associated with TCC pathophysiology (miR-34a, let-7c, miR-16, miR-103b, and miR-106b) were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR. Results Statistical analyses using ranked ANOVA identified significant differences in miR-103b and miR-16 levels between urine samples from LUTD and TCC patients (miR-103b, p = 0.002; and miR-16, p = 0.016). No statistically significant differences in miRNA levels were observed between blood samples from LUTD versus TCC patients. Expression levels of miR-34a trended with miR-16, let-7c, and miR-103b levels in individual normal urine samples, however, this coordination was completely lost in TCC urine samples. In contrast, co-ordination of miR-34a, miR-16, let-7c, and miR-103b expression levels was maintained in blood samples from TCC patients. Conclusions Our combined data indicate a potential role for miR-103b and miR-16 as diagnostic urine biomarkers for TCC, and that further investigation of miR-103b and miR-16 in the dysregulation of coordinated miRNA expression in bladder carcinogenesis is warranted