Prevalence of signs of lower urinary tract disease and positive urine culture in dogs with diabetes mellitus: A retrospective study

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundNo recent studies have evaluated the association between clinical signs of lower urinary tract disease (LUTD) and positive urine culture in dogs with diabetes mellitus.ObjectiveDetermine the prevalence of subclinical bacteriuria (ie, positive urine culture without signs of LUTD) in dogs with diabetes mellitus.AnimalsOne hundred seven dogs with diabetes mellitus were evaluated at a university veterinary hospital.MethodsRetrospective study evaluating diabetic dogs with a single sample paired urinalysis and urine culture. Relationship between the presence of signs of LUTD, pyuria, and bacteriuria and urine culture results were compared using Fisher exact testing.ResultsFifteen dogs (14%) had a positive urine culture via cystocentesis or free catch, of which 8 (53%) had pyuria, and 4 (27%) had signs of LUTD. Of the 88 dogs (82%) without signs of LUTD, 11 (13%) had a positive culture. A significant association was found between a positive urine culture and pyuria (OR infinity; 95% CI 20.34‐infinity, P < .00001) and bacteriuria (OR infinity; 95% CI 164.4‐infinity, P < .00001). No association was found between urine culture results and signs of LUTD (OR 1.87; 95% CI 0.59‐6.85, P = .46).Conclusion and Clinical ImportanceSubclinical bacteriuria occurred in this cohort of dogs, and our findings reinforce the recommendation that urine cultures should not be routinely performed in diabetic dogs particularly if pyuria and bacteriuria are absent.