Anna V. Eggertsdóttir

Bacteriuria in cats with feline lower urinary tract disease: a clinical study of 134 cases in Norway

Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is considered to be one of the most common diagnoses in feline patients. Several authors have concluded that feline idiopathic cystitis is the most common cause of FLUTD, whereas infectious cystitis is diagnosed in only 2% of the cases. In the period from January 2003 to February 2005, 134 cats that presented with signs of lower urinary tract disorders were included in a study at the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science. Ninety-seven percent were first opinion cases. All the cats went through a physical examination, and blood samples were collected for haematology and clinical chemistry. The urine analysis included urine stix, specific gravity, microscopic examination of the sediment and microbiological culturing. The urine samples were collected as voided mid-stream urine samples, by catheter or by cystocentesis and the method used was registered. Of the 134 cats included in the study, 37% were diagnosed as having obstructive and 63% as having non-obstructive FLUTD. In total 44 cats (33%) were diagnosed with bacteriuria, exceeding 103 colony forming units per millilitre (cfu/ml) and 33 (25%) of these cats had bacterial growth exceeding 104 cfu/ml, either alone or in combination with crystals and/or uroliths. Six cats (18%) with bacterial growth exceeding 104 cfu/ml were older than 8 years. No significant difference was found between the sampling methods performed with regard to bacteriuria. This study indicates that bacteriuria may have been underdiagnosed in Norwegian cats with clinical signs of FLUTD. It also confirms the importance of microbiological culturing in first opinion cases with FLUTD and that a skilled operator can get representative samples regardless the choice of method.

Causes of lower urinary tract disease in Norwegian cats.

A study was made on causes of lower urinary tract disease in cats, and to investigate whether demographic data and factors related to husbandry might influence the occurrence of a particular diagnosis. The study was a prospective, descriptive, and analytical study of primary cases of feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) in Norway. Only cats sampled by cystocentesis were included in the present study. Of the 119 cats included, 28.6% were diagnosed with obstructive FLUTD. The majority of cats were diagnosed with feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) (55.5%). Urethral plugs were the second most common diagnosis (21.0%), whereas bacterial cystitis and urolithiasis each were diagnosed in 11.8%. Nearly one-third (28.6%) of the cats diagnosed with urolithiasis had significant bacteriuria. Thus, significant bacteriuria was diagnosed in a total of 15.1% of the cats. There were no significant differences in the urine specific gravity, pH and amount of epithelial cells in the urine sediment in the different aetiological categories of FLUTD. There was a higher amount of red blood cells in the urine sediment in cats diagnosed with urethral plugs and urolithiasis, whereas cats with bacterial cystitis and urolithiasis had a higher amount of white blood cells in their sediment. Regarding demographic data and factors related to husbandry, cats diagnosed with FLUTD were more often males and kept strictly indoors, when compared with a ‘reference population’.

Occurrence of Occult Bacteriuria in Healthy Cats

Knowledge of the occurrence of bacteriuria in adult, healthy cats is scarce in the scientific literature. A study was designed to investigate the occurrence of bacteriuria in healthy cats without current or previous signs of lower urinary tract disease. The study included 108 cats, 53 males (49.5%) and 55 females (50.5%). The cats ranged in age between 7 months and 18 years, with a mean age of 4.4 years and a median age of 4.0 years. Urine was obtained by cystocentesis from all the cats, and was submitted for bacteriological analyses. Urine and urine sediment was cultured on separate blood agar plates for quantification and species identification by standard procedures. Detection of ≤103 colony forming units (cfu) per ml urine was defined as significant bacteriuria. Significant bacteriuria exceeding 105 cfu/ml was detected in one sample with a combination of Enterococcus species and Staphylococcus species. There was no bacterial growth in the urine samples from 107 cats (99.1%). Results from our study indicate that the prevalence of bacteriuria in clinically healthy, adult cats is low. Also, that contamination of samples is rare when urine is collected by cystocentesis.

Age-related changes in hematologic and serum biochemical variables in dogs aged 16–60 days

BACKGROUND The literature reporting hematologic and serum biochemical variables in puppies is limited. As puppies are physiologically different from adult dogs, an age effect would be expected. OBJECTIVES We aimed to describe age-related changes in hematologic and serum biochemical variables in puppies aged 16-60 days and compare the results to reference intervals (RI) for adults. Our second aim was to determine RI for this age group. METHODS A total of 227 blood samples were collected from 101 clinically healthy puppies, mainly mixed breeds. To assess the effect of age, the results were compared to RI for adult dogs, and variations within the age period 16-60 days were studied. Reference intervals for the groups 16-24, 28-45, and 46-60 days of age were determined. RESULTS Lower values in puppies compared to adults were found for RBC, HGB, HCT, concentration of albumin, globulin, total protein, creatinine, and sodium:potassium ratio. Higher values in puppies compared to adults were found for activities of ALP and CK, and concentrations of inorganic phosphorus, calcium, and potassium. For MCV, MCHC, albumin:globulin ratio, and glucose concentration, different values in puppies compared to adults were found for some of the age groups. No age-specific differences were found compared to RI for adults regarding WBC, absolute counts of lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, and platelets, RDW, activities for AST, ALT, amylase, lipase, and concentrations of bile acids, cholesterol, urea, sodium, and chloride. CONCLUSIONS Our results support that age has a significant effect on several hematologic and serum biochemical values in puppies, warranting age-specific RI.

Evaluation of urinalyses from untreated adult cats with lower urinary tract disease and healthy control cats: predictive abilities and clinical relevance

This case-controlled study evaluated urinalyses from 111 primary cases diagnosed with feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) and 101 healthy control cats. Urine samples were analysed by standardised procedures, and differences between the two groups were compared by multivariable logistic regression analysis, while controlling for age, body weight, gender and reproductive status. Further, the ability of using urine sediment findings to predict bacteriuria was evaluated. In addition, urinalyses from cats with bacterial cystitis, idiopathic cystitis, urolithiasis and urethral plugs were compared. The main findings were that increasing body weight was significantly associated with increased odds of FLUTD, while the influence of age and reproductive status was of less importance. Increasing amounts of red blood cells and epithelial cells were significantly associated with increased odds of FLUTD. The predictive ability of using bacterial sediment findings to predict bacterial growth was dependent on subjective grading of the amount of bacteria in the sediment and was, at best, only moderate. The few significant differences found between the different FLUTD diagnoses were of limited diagnostic value.

Risk factors for idiopathic cystitis in Norwegian cats: a matched case-control study

Objectives The aim of the study was to compare a group of cats with feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) with a group of control cats without present or previous signs of lower urinary tract disease in order to identify factors in characteristics, personality, behaviour, environment and daily life that would make them more susceptible to the disease. Methods The study was a matched case-control study comparing results from telephone interviews based on a standardised questionnaire. The questions were organised into six subject groups: the characteristics of the cat; the cat’s environment; the presence of other pets in the household; the cat’s feeding and drinking regime; management of the cat’s litter box; and the cat’s opportunity to perform natural behaviour. Results The results from the present study showed that a cat diagnosed with FIC was more likely to be overweight and to be of a nervous disposition than the control cats. In addition, several differences between cases and controls were detected at a univariable level of analysis, related to outdoor access and the cats’ perceived safety and comfort in their home environments. While not significant after multivariable analysis, these variables may still be of importance owing to potential interrelations. Conclusions and relevance Several significant differences between cats with FIC and control cats were revealed, and the results support the hypothesis of environmental stress as being a potential factor in the development of FIC.

Prevalence of viral infections in Norwegian cats with and without feline lower urinary tract disease.

The prevalence of various viral infections was examined in primary accession cases of feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) and healthy control cats in Norway. Urine samples from 102 cats with clinical signs of FLUTD and 73 healthy control cats were tested for the presence of feline calicivirus (FCV), feline coronavirus (FCoV) and feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) by polymerase chain reaction. All urinary samples were negative for FCV and FCoV. One (1%) of the FLUTD cats was found to be positive for FHV-1. The results did not indicate an association between the viral infections examined and signs of FLUTD in the study sample.

Changes in the relationships between dogs, owners and veterinarians in Norway and Iceland

Norwegian and Icelandic dog owners were interviewed about aspects of their dog keeping and their attitudes to the veterinary profession. Dogs were found to play an important role in the lives of their owners, who had high expectations of their veterinarians, not only with respect to the treatment of their dogs but also with respect to themselves as clients. About one-third of owners reported problems related to a lack of trust and poor communications in encounters with their veterinarians.

Antimicrobial susceptibility in bacterial isolates from Norwegian cats with lower urinary tract disease

Studies of feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) among Norwegian cats have shown higher prevalences of bacterial cystitis than most previously published reports. The aims of the present study were to identify bacterial isolates obtained from the urine of Norwegian cats with FLUTD and their susceptibility to antimicrobial agents. Eighty-two bacterial isolates from 72 urine cultures obtained from 71 different cats were included. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus species, Enterococcus species and Streptococcus species were the most frequently detected. The percentages of isolates susceptible to the included antimicrobial agents were as follows: enrofloxacin – 92%; trimethoprim/sulfonamide – 91%; nitrofurantoin – 89%; tetracycline – 78%; ampicillin – 73%; amoxicillin/clavulanic acid – 72%; trimethoprim – 68%; amoxicillin – 58%; cephalexin – 51%; spiramycin – 39%; penicillin – 34%; fucidic acid – 34%; lincomycin – 27%. Although several tendencies towards increasing antimicrobial resistance were detected among the isolates included, the species of bacteria isolated and their patterns of antimicrobial resistance were, in general, in concurrence with the existing literature. Thus, the results do not fully explain the higher prevalence of bacterial cystitis found in Norwegian cats. Moreover, additional explanatory factors beside the inclusion of primary accession cases rather than referred cases were not found.

Adverse reactions to equine-derived F(ab')2 -antivenin in 54 dogs envenomated by Vipera berus berus.

Objective To describe the occurrence of acute and delayed adverse reactions following the administration of an equine-derived F(ab’)2-antivenin in dogs with Vipera berus berus envenomation. Design Prospective study (2006–2009). Setting Private small animal clinics and university small animal teaching hospital in Norway. Animals Fifty-four dogs with Vipera berus berus envenomation treated with F(ab’)2-antivenin. Interventions Administration of equine-derived antivenin for treatment of Vipera berus berus envenomation in dogs. Measurements and Main Results Acute adverse reactions to antivenin administration occurred in 4/54 dogs (7%), and facial swelling occurred in 2/54 dogs (4%), sudden respiratory distress in 1 dog, and vomiting occurred in 1 dog. The adverse reactions were self-limiting in 3 of the dogs, while 1 dog was treated with corticosteroids to reduce the facial swelling that occurred during administration of antivenin. No delayed adverse reactions believed to be associated with the antivenin administration were noted. Conclusions An occurrence of adverse effects comparable to the numbers reported in human medicine (10%) should be expected when administering F(ab’)2-antivenin to dogs with Vipera berus berus envenomation. The results are also comparable with rates of adverse effects reported with antivenin administration for crotalid-envenomated dogs. Further research is required to determine whether there is a relationship between adverse and the number of vials administered or repeated use in the same patient.