Clinical efficacy of marbofloxacin in dogs and cats diagnosed with lower urinary tract disorders.

Abstract

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are the microbial colonization of any part of the urinary tract. UTIs are opportunistic infections and generally occur when the host’s defences are compromised and a virulent organism adheres, multiplies, and persists in a portion of the urinary tract (9). Treatment should include appropriate antimicrobials to eliminate the underlying abnormality and ensure recovery (4). UTIs are one of the leading reasons for prescribing antibiotics in small animal practice. Recommended treatment time for canine and feline UTIs is relatively longer than humans from 4-7 days (in uncomplicated cases) and up to 28 days (in complicated cases) (9). Antimicrobial therapy is generally recommended for confirmed UTIs and treatment can help reduce the severity of renal injury due to microbial inflammatory damage (5). Diagnosing a bacterial UTI requires a positive urine culture, isolation and identification of the organism and determination of the number of bacteria (colony-forming units per unit volume). Other tests may also be used in the diagnosis such as urine analyses, complete blood counts (CBC), chemistry profiles, rectal examinations, tests for feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus, thyroid function tests, dexamethasone suppression tests, adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation tests, abdominal radiographs, abdominal ultrasounds, contrast radiology, cystoscopy with bladder wall culture tests and prostatic washes (14). Marbofloxacin (Marbocyl®, Vétoquinol, United Kingdom) is a synthetic, broadspectrum antibiotic of third-generation fluoroquinolones, which were exclusively developed for veterinary practice (15, 21). Marbofloxacin is recommended for treating respiratory infections, skin and soft tissue infections, genito-urinary tract infections, and prostatitis (8, 10). It has been ap1) This work was supported by Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Istanbul University. Project number is BYP-2016-20321. The authors are thankful to Novakim Pharmaceuticals Company for the marbofloxacin cartridge discs. Clinical efficacy of marbofloxacin in dogs and cats diagnosed with lower urinary tract disorders1)