Ultrasonography of the urinary tract of female sheep.

We determined the position, dimensions, and structure of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra of 62 female sheep by use of ultrasonography. A 5.0-MHz convex transducer was placed over the right flank to examine the kidneys, and a 5.0 MHz-linear transducer was used to examine the bladder and urethra transrectally. All examinations were performed on sheep in standing position. The left kidney was 7.1 to 8.9 cm long, 3.4 to 5.5 cm wide, and 3.3 to 4.7 cm deep. Diameter of the parenchyma and renal sinus of the left kidney ranged between 1.1 and 1.9 cm and 1.1 and 2.0 cm, respectively. Circumference of the medullary pyramids varied between 2.1 and 3.3 cm. Similar ultrasonographic measurements were obtained for the right kidney. The diameter of the bladder varied between 0.3 and 6.9 cm in 96.8% of the sheep. The diameter of the bladder could not be determined in 32% of the sheep because it was > 10 cm, and, therefore, was beyond the penetration depth of the scanner. The only part of the urethra that could be ultrasonographically visualized was the internal urethral orifice. It had diameter between 0.1 and 0.2 cm. The ureters could not be ultrasonographically visualized in any of the sheep examined. The urinary tract of 8 sheep was examined 10 times within 2 weeks to examine whether measurements were reproducible. The interassay variation coefficient determined ranged from 3.1 to 31.8%, although for most variables, it ranged between 5 and 11%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Uroendoscopy. Evaluation of the lower urinary tract.

Recent advances in uroendoscopy have allowed diagnostic evaluation of the lower urinary tract in most of our canine and feline patients. By providing a magnified view of the luminal surfaces of the lower urinary tract, uroendoscopy provides useful diagnostic information that is not readily available even by more invasive techniques.     

Ultrasonography of the urinary tract in 29 female Saanen goats

The left and right kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder and urethra of 29 female clinically healthy Saanen goats were examined via transcutaneous and transrectal ultrasonography. In order to establish reference values the examinations were performed using a 5.0 MHz linear transducer to scan the right caudal costal part of the abdominal wall, right and left dorsal flanks and right and left inguinal regions of standing goats. A 5.0 MHz intracavity probe was used for transrectal ultrasonographic examination of the urinary bladder and urethra. The kidneys were examined in longitudinal and cross section and assessed subjectively. They could usually be seen from the 12th intercostal space on the right side and dorsal right flank. The right kidney was 8.0 ± 0.67 cm long and the left was 8.4 ± 0.64 cm long. The ureters could not be visualized in any of the goats. The length of the urinary bladder was 5.1 ± 1.38 cm, and its largest cross-sectional diameter was 2.6 ± 1.01 cm. The urethra was seen in 23 goats and appeared as echogenic lines with no visible lumen. The transition from the neck of the bladder to the internal urethral orifice extended beyond the brim of the pelvis in only one goat.     

Lower urinary tract pathogens in the dog and their sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents.

Ninety-six urine samples were collected by a sterile technique from 75 dogs affected with urinary tract disease (cystitis, urolithiasis, prostatitis, etc) involving bacteruria. The infecting organisms were isolated and tested against sensitivity discs (penicillin G, streptomycin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, sulphamethoxazole/trimethaprin and Sulphatriad). The commonest isolate was Escherichia coli, which was generally sensitive to several agents, though in eight cases it was resistant to all drugs. Next in order were Streptococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Proteus spp. A double infection was present in 11 cases. Further data give a breakdown for sex and the clinical diagnosis, neither of which was related to any particular organism.     

Prevalence of bacterial urinary tract infection after perineal urethrostomy in cats.

It has been reported that the prevalence of bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI) increases after perineal urethrostomy in male cats. Perineal urethrostomy, using a surgical technique preserving striated urethral sphincter function, was performed on 2 groups of cats. The first group consisted of healthy castrated cats. The second group of cats had recurrent or persistent urethral obstruction. All cats had normal urethral sphincter function after surgery, as measured by urethral pressure profilometry and electromyography. Long-term periodic urinalysis and bacterial culturing of urine was performed on all cats. Twenty-two percent of the previously obstructed cats had recurrent bacterial UTI, compared with none of the healthy cats. On the basis of these findings, we suggest that perineal urethrostomy per se does not predispose cats to bacterial UTI, but surgical alteration of the urethral meatus combined with an underlying uropathy may increase the prevalence of ascending bacterial UTI after surgery.     

Ultrasonographic characterization of the urinary bladder in sows with and without urinary tract infection

The urinary bladders of sows (n=10) without urinary tract infection (UTI) were longitudinally transrectally scanned after emptying and refilling with 200, 400, 600 and 800mL saline, and a volume dependence was found for bladder depth (BD), dorsal (dWT) and ventral wall thicknesses (vWT), wall regularity (WR) and mucosal wall surface (mWS). When another 31 sows without and 15 with UTI (as defined on the basis of high bacterial count and macroscopic/biochemical urine abnormalities) were compared for these parameters using BD as volume equivalent, no differences were found. Sows with UTI more often had moderate to high amounts of sediment than animals without UTI. Ultrasonographic assessment of dWT, vWT, WR and mWS of the urinary bladder of sows requires knowledge of bladder volume, and BD may be used as a volume equivalent. However, the parameters are inappropriate for the diagnosis of UTI as defined in this study, while moderate/high amounts of sediment seem to be indicative. Sediment can be visualized by transrectal scanning, but this is also possible using the transcutaneous route.     

Urinary tract infection caused by Corynebacterium urealyticum in a dog

Urinary tract infection (UTI) caused by Corynebacterium urealyticum is a rarely recognised condition in veterinary medicine. This report describes a case in a 13-month-old dog which presented with a history of dysuria and haematuria. C urealyticum was identified as the cause of UTI. The clinical, radiological and ultrasonographic features and the results of urinalysis and urine bacteriological culture are described, as are the therapeutic challenges presented by this particular infection.     

An isolated cryptococcal urinary tract infection in a cat

A male domestic shorthaired cat was presented for evaluation of stranguria and pollakiuria. A cryptococcal urinary tract infection (UTI) was diagnosed cytologically and via fungal culture. No evidence of systemic involvement was found. Chronic renal failure was a concurrent disease in this cat. Treatment consisted of oral fluconazole. Clinical signs resolved after 2 weeks of therapy, and fluconazole was discontinued after 6 months when negative urine culture results indicated resolution of the infection. This case demonstrates that correct identification of cryptococcal UTI allows for administration of therapy that can be associated with resolution of clinical signs.     

Presumptive pseudohypoaldosteronism secondary to chronic urinary tract obstruction from sloughed urinary bladder mucosa and urinary tract infection in a cat

Objective – To describe a case of presumptive secondary pseudohypoaldosteronism (PHA) in a cat with urinary tract infection and chronic urethral obstruction. The obstruction was believed to have resulted from sloughed urinary bladder mucosa secondary to pressure necrosis. Case Summary – A 5‐year‐old, 4 kg, castrated male Siamese cat presented for vomiting and stranguria. Medical history included a perineal urethrostomy for urethral obstruction. Physical examination revealed a large, painful, nonexpressible urinary bladder. Point‐of‐care testing demonstrated electrolyte derangements consistent with a postrenal azotemia and metabolic acidosis. Results of urine culture was positive for bacterial growth. Diagnostic imaging revealed presence of retroperitoneal fluid, marked urinary bladder wall thickening, bilateral hydroureter, mild bilateral pyelectasia, and small nephroliths. The patient was treated for a urinary tract obstruction and infection. In the 3 weeks following initial discharge, the patient was evaluated on multiple occasions for lethargy, intermittent vomiting, inappropriate urination, and progressive polyuria and polydipsia. Although the urinary bladder was easily expressed during repeat examinations, it was persistently distended and subjectively thickened upon palpation. Repeat ultrasound of the urinary tract showed evidence of sloughed tissue in the bladder lumen, likely secondary to chronic urethral obstruction and pressure necrosis. A cystotomy was performed to remove the necrotic tissue, and a revised perineal urethrostomy was done due to a partial urethral stricture. Bladder biopsies were obtained at this time. Postoperatively, the cat was reported by the owners to be urinating normally but continued to be polyuric and polydipsic in the week following discharge. One week after surgery, the cat presented in hypovolemic shock with laboratory findings consistent with a presumptive diagnosis of secondary PHA. New or Unique Information Provided – PHA has not been reported previously in a cat. This case report suggests that aldosterone resistance should be considered in cats with consistent laboratory findings and a history of documented obstructive uropathy and urinary tract infection.     

Antibiotic-resistant Corynebacterium jeikeium urinary tract infection in a cat

A 10-year-old, castrated male, domestic longhaired cat with a history of urinary tract disease and perineal urethrostomy was presented for evaluation of persistent urinary tract inflammation. Prior to referral, diphtheroid organisms had been cultured from a urine sample obtained by cystocentesis, and they were interpreted as sample contamination. Subsequent urine culture and gene sequencing identified Corynebacterium jeikeium, which was resistant to antibiotics and appeared to be the cause of the urinary tract infection.     

Functional anatomy and neural regulation of the lower urinary tract in female dogs: a review.

A review of the literature of the functional anatomy and neural regulation of the lower urinary tract is presented. The two main functions of the lower urinary tract are the storage and the periodic elimination of urine. The smooth muscle of the bladder exhibits intermittent contractions as the bladder adapts its capacity to increasing volumes and it exhibits sustained contractions associated with relaxation of the external sphincter to effect micturition. During storage, tension receptors in the bladder wall initiate external sphincter contraction (somatic), internal sphincter contraction (sympathetic), detrusor inhibition, and parasympathetic ganglion inhibition (sympathetic). The storage phase can be switched to the micturition phase either voluntarily or involuntarily. Neuroanatomical and electrophysiological studies reveal that medial and lateral cell groups in the dorsolateral pons may be regarded as micturition and storage control centres, respectively.     

Mycoplasma as a cause of canine urinary tract infection

Mycoplasmas were isolated from 60 specimens of urine obtained by cystocentesis from 41 dogs (23 males and 18 females) with urinary tract infection. Mycoplasmas were isolated in pure culture from 41 (68%) of the specimens, and were isolated in conjunction with one or more bacterial species from 19 (32%) specimens. Clinical signs of urinary tract infection were noted in 20 of 31 dogs in which mycoplasmas were isolated in pure culture, and numbers of WBC in the urine sediment were above the reported normal range in 22 of 25 urine specimens from those 20 dogs. Twenty-four of 29 mycoplasma isolates were found to be Mycoplasma canis, 4 were found to be M spumans, and 1 was identified as M cynos.     

Canine urinary tract infection. Detection, prevalence and therapeutic consequences of bacteriuria

Bacterial urinary tract infection is a common disease complex in the dog. Numerous factors predispose to the condition which, once arisen, predisposes the dog to pyelonephritis. Thus, subclinical infections, detected by the presence of significant bacteriuria, become important to diagnose. This study is a survey on urinary bacterial counts performed on urine obtained by catheterization and midstream-sampling. In cases revealing bacteriuria, further analysis is undertaken in order to initiate individually adjusted, rational therapy.     

Frequency and risk factors for urinary tract infection in cats with diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND: Identification and control of infections are important in the management of diabetic cats. Urinary tract infections have not been well characterized in diabetic cats. This retrospective study was performed to review and characterize urinary tract infections in diabetic cats. HYPOTHESIS: Urinary tract infections are common in diabetic cats. ANIMALS: A review was made of the medical records of 141 diabetic cats that had had urine obtained for culture by antepubic cystocentesis and that had not been treated with antibiotics, undergone urinary tract catheterization or urinary tract surgery within 2 weeks of urine collection or had urethral obstruction at the time of urine collection. METHODS: A review of medical records. RESULTS: Urinary tract infection was identified in 18 of 141 diabetic cats. Escherichia coli was the most common isolate (67%). Female cats were at increased risk (prevalence odds ratios [POR], 3.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3 to 10.2; P = .013). Clinical signs of lower urinary tract disease and findings on urine sediment examination were good predictors of positive urine cultures. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Urinary tract infections are common in diabetic cats regardless of status of diabetic control, suggesting routine monitoring with urine sediment exams or urine culture is warranted.     

Urinary tract infection caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in a dog

A young neutered male pug dog was presented for evaluation of acute onset pollakiuria and hematuria. Culture and susceptibility testing of urine identified a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, which was susceptible to only tetracycline among commonly used antimicrobials. Treatment with doxycycline led to bacteriological cure and resolution of clinical signs.