Bacterial diseases of the urinary system in dogs and cats. Symptoms of diseases of the genitourinary system in dogs

If your beloved pet has become lethargic, drinks a lot, began to go to the toilet, whining, or, worse, anywhere, you should not immediately punish him. It is possible that the dog is sick and needs to be taken to the veterinarian - such behavior may be a signal of the onset of cystitis (inflammation in the bladder).

Features of the disease

The disease does not have age-specific features - both old and young animals, including puppies, get sick. A separate risk group is formed by small breeds and undersized individuals (dachshunds, for example). Bitches get sick more often than males due to the anatomical features of the structure of the genitourinary system.

In general, dogs get sick less often than cats, but have a more pronounced clinical picture.

It is very important to determine the exact cause of the disease, because. only symptomatic therapy is a guarantee that the pathological condition will return, and the next time it will manifest itself many times stronger.

The symptoms of cystitis in a dog are acute and chronic. Chronic cystitis is a condition that develops against the background of some other primary disease. Its symptoms are diluted with clinical signs of another pathology, so it becomes difficult to make an accurate diagnosis. In an acute course, the symptoms are pronounced, there are no difficulties with preliminary diagnosis.

According to the manifestations of inflammation of the bladder in dogs is classified into:

• catarrhal (urine is cloudy, and protein is found in the analysis);
• hemorrhagic (obvious presence of blood);
• dystrophic (outwardly, urine is practically unchanged, and epithelial cells are found in the analyzes);
• purulent (the name speaks for itself - the presence of pus and an unpleasant odor leave no doubt about the form of the disease).

What symptoms to look out for

1. Frequent urination. You can only notice in pets that live indoors - he will constantly ask to go outside or make small puddles right in the room. The volume of urine produced per day does not increase: the dog goes to the toilet more often, but in small portions.
2. Impurities appear in the urine: mucus, blood or pus. It becomes cloudy and acquires a sharp and unpleasant odor that is not characteristic of the usual state.
3. At the time of urination or at the end of the process, the dog may whine in pain. Males stop lifting their paw, and urinate, crouching on both paws (a clear sign of cystitis). It is clearly visible that the procedure causes pain and discomfort to the pet.
4. The dog does not allow you to feel the belly in the crotch - twitches its paws, crouches, whines and tries in every possible way to avoid inspection. The wall of the abdomen is tense, like a tympanic membrane.
5. With a protracted process, general malaise, lethargy develops, appetite decreases, body temperature rises. There may be signs of intoxication at the time of the development of a purulent process, because. the sick animal will increasingly try to hold on to urine so as not to feel pain.
6. Cystitis in a dog with signs resembles urolithiasis - a more serious pathology, which is excluded in the very first place.

How to help a pet with inflammation

A veterinary specialist makes a diagnosis not only on the basis of a description of the owner of the pet's condition and a clinical examination, but also on the results of ultrasound and blood and urine tests. The rarest form is allergic. Usually placed after all other species have been excluded.

Treatment of cystitis in dogs at home is permissible only after it has been examined by a veterinarian and the correct medication has been given. The cause must be established, which will be eliminated simultaneously with symptomatic therapy.

It is impossible to independently and uncontrollably solder the dog with “herbs”, because. in case of an allergic manifestation of the disease, even more harm can be done to the animal. Herbal decoctions are not prohibited, but must be agreed with a specialist!

How to treat cystitis in dogs?

Preparations for treatment are prescribed, dosed and combined strictly by a veterinarian! The disease is not treated only by eliminating the symptoms.

• bacterial infection. Treatment of cystitis in dogs with antibiotics is used only after urine culture and determination of the sensitivity of the microflora to a particular drug. If there is no time to wait, the veterinarian usually prescribes broad-spectrum drugs or nitrofurans (for example, furadonin for cystitis).
• hemorrhagic factor. Dogs are shown mandatory use of hemostatic agents when blood is found in the urine.
• secondary diseases. If, in addition to cystitis, a dog has pathologies suspected of provoking it, then the underlying disease is first eliminated, and then the inflammatory process is eliminated. Or the treatment is carried out in parallel.
• Flushing the bladder with a catheter carried out with antiseptic liquids and only by a specialist! A good way to cleanse the bladder of waste products of microorganisms and reduce the risk of intoxication. Necessarily carried out after emptying the bladder. In rare cases, antibiotic solutions are used.
• allergic cystitis diagnosed very, very rarely. In addition to antihistamine therapy, the diet must be changed, excluding potential allergens from it.
• During treatment, it is observed special drinking regimen- Enough and only clean drinking water.
• Pet feeding should be carried out either with special feeds intended for diseases of the urinary system, or the diet should be formed independently. The most famous foods for cystitis and diseases of the genitourinary system (including urinary stones):
  • Royal canin urinary s/o and Royal canin urinary;
  • Hills Prescription Diet canine u/d;
  • Farmina Vet Life for dogs;
  • Purina urinary.
• If the pet does not like ready-made options, then it is best to give cereals (not cereals), weak soups, boiled vegetables and sour-milk products. It is better to exclude meat in any form for a while until the acute symptoms of the disease are removed during the treatment of cystitis in a dog (but meat broths are possible).

Drugs to combat cystitis

Painkillers and antispasmodics

• analgin: 1 tab. / 20-25 kg or 0.1 ml / kg of weight intramuscularly symptomatically, it can be repeated only after 10-12 hours; contraindicated for small dogs, puppies, as well as animals with severe kidney pathology;
• no-shpa (drotaverine): 1 tab. / 10 kg or in a solution of 1 ml / 10 kg per muscle. It is better to give in tablets, prick when it is not possible to give a tablet.

Antibiotics

• baytril 5%: 0.2 ml/kg intramuscularly for 3-10 days. Do not mix with tetracyclines and chloramphenicol;
• cefotaxime: twice a day at the same time 15-20 mg / kg up to 1 week (but not less than 5 days) by intramuscular injections;
• ceftriaxone: a daily dose of 20-40 mg / kg, divided into 2-3 doses at regular intervals, the duration of the course is 5-10 days;
• furadonin: daily dose of 5-10 mg/kg of dog weight, which should be divided into 2-4 doses per day at regular intervals. Course: up to 10 days (but not less than a week).

Solutions for catheterization

• furacillin;
• saline 0.9%;
• 0.5% protargol or tannin;
• 3% boric solution.

All fluids should be close to body temperature. It is better to rinse more often and with small portions of liquid (from 5 to 25 ml, depending on the size of the dog) than once at once with a large volume.

Antihistamines

• suprastin: 1 tab. / medium dog, ½ tab. / small or puppy, 1.5-2 tab. / large individual;
• allervet 1%: 2-4 rubles / day. 1 ml / 5 kg of weight (or 0.2 ml / kg) subcutaneously or intramuscularly until the signs of an allergic manifestation of the disease disappear.

Hemostatic drugs

• dicynone: 1 ml/10 kg body weight per thigh. It is important not to exceed the dosage;
• vikasol: 1-2 mg/kg in the muscle, maximum 3-5 days;
• calcium chloride: a maximum of 5-15 ml is injected intravenously (slowly), depending on the size of the animal. If it gets under the skin, then the area should be pricked with sodium chloride to avoid necrosis.

Homeopathy and herbal medicines

They are used only in combination with the main treatment.

• Kantaren injections: inject into the femoral muscle or subcutaneously into the withers 1-3 rubles / day for a week to ten days or until the condition returns to normal; with chronic cystitis - once a day for up to 1 month. Dose: 0.5-4 ml/animal, depending on size;
• cantaren tablets for cystitis: the duration of treatment is determined by the veterinarian, but not longer than 1 month; 2-3 times / day for severe form, 1-2 times / day - for mild; single dose 1-3 tab./animal, based on its size;
• cantharis compositum: administered by any injection method at a dose of 1-4 ml/dog, repeated every 24 hours until the condition is normalized in acute course and every 4 days in chronic;
• urolex: give orally 1 hour before feeding, 3 drops / kg of body weight 3 rubles / day. Give either immediately undiluted to the root of the tongue, or dilute in a very small amount of water and pour with a syringe. Duration of admission should not exceed 30 days;
• cystone: 1-2 tablets per day, equal to the body weight of the animal. You can immediately the entire dose, can be divided into 2 doses. The full course reaches 4-6 months if the cause of cystitis is stones, and up to 2 weeks of symptomatic therapy in other cases. Taking the drug is not advisable without an appropriate diet;
• stop cystitis for dogs (see instructions below).

Herbal preparations

• painkillers: corn stigmas (you can’t give for a long time!), peppermint and lemon balm;
• have a diuretic effect: knotweed, bearberry, oregano, horsetail, St. John's wort;
• relieve inflammation: licorice, St. John's wort, oak bark, birch buds, ginger, marshmallow root, parsley.

Different herbs have different properties. Decoctions are prepared from herbs of different groups for a complex effect. 1 part of any herb from each name is taken, 250 ml of boiling water is poured, infused in a closed container for 20-30 minutes, filtered and topped up to 0.5 liters of the total volume. Give twice a day up to 50 ml of herbal liquid, depending on the size of the animal.

Drug Stop cystitis

This is a whole series of drugs, which is represented by three herbal complex remedies: Stop cystitis in tablets and suspensions and Stop cystitis bio also in suspension (what to give a dog from cystitis from the above is decided by a veterinarian). The drugs very quickly normalize the condition of the animal, eliminating the symptoms of the disease. The "bio" form allows you to constantly monitor the state of the urinary system as a prophylactic. Stop cystitis, in addition to herbal components, has medicinal components in the list of components that explain its action.

Functions of the drug: antimicrobial, antiseptic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, saluretic (removal of sand and stones from the bladder).

Side effects

Not noted. In very rare cases, allergic manifestations were recorded, which disappeared after discontinuation of the drug.

Contraindications

There are no special contraindications, with the exception of an individual reaction to the constituent components.

special instructions

Suspensions must be shaken before use. It is important not to skip doses - both in tablets and in suspensions, because. efficiency decreases. If a dose is missed, the next one should be taken at the proper time without doubling the volume.

Disease prevention

Cystitis is easy to prevent. For this it is enough:

1. Always give your pet clean drinking water to drink.
2. Be sure to walk 3 times a day - 2 times is not enough. Small dogs can put toilet trays in the apartment. It is important that the animals do not endure for a long time!
3. Do not let your pet lie or sleep on a cold floor (such as cement or tile) or a draft during the cold season.
4. Timely treat gynecological diseases in bitches, avoiding purulent inflammation.
5. It is definitely worth it once or twice a year to conduct preventive examinations at the veterinarian.
6. Do not walk bitches during estrus in places where there are accumulations of stray dogs.
7. It is important to trim the hair around the anus in long-haired dogs to avoid contamination of the urethra by stool.
8. If there is a tendency to diseases of the genitourinary system, then it is better to feed it with special feeds designed specifically for such cases.
9. Timely vaccination is required.

Problems with the genitourinary system are a fairly common occurrence in pets. As a rule, they develop under the influence of two negative factors: these are either bacterial infections or bladder stones. If the animal has at least one of these pathologies, urocystitis is possible - in dogs it is severe and often leads to serious consequences.

So called combined inflammation of the bladder and urethra. The latter is the duct through which urine passes from the bladder to the urethra, located at the end of the penis in males and on the eve of the vagina in females. It happens (according to the nature of the inflammatory process) of the following types:

• catarrhal urocystitis. With this type of pathological process, abundant desquamation of the epithelial layer occurs, followed by the formation of a thick, viscous and translucent secret (catarrh).

• Purulent urocystitis. Everything is clear here - the process of inflammation is provoked by the penetration of pyogenic microflora into the organs of the genitourinary system. It proceeds hard, the disease is accompanied by a significant deterioration in the general well-being of the animal.

• Diphtheritic urocystitis. Even more severe pathology. It is accompanied by the appearance of fibrinous films on the mucous membrane of the bladder and urethra. This type of inflammation develops only in the case of particularly severe bacterial and viral infections. May lead to death.

• Phlegmonous urocystitis. Accompanied by purulent inflammation in the thickness of the bladder wall. As in the previous case, this variant of inflammation is possible only with a severe course of bacterial and viral infections. Again, the process is also extremely dangerous, can lead to death from sepsis and severe intoxication.

Read also: Kennel cough in dogs is an infectious disease. Causes, signs, treatment

In addition, according to the nature of the flow The disease is divided into two main types: acute and chronic urocystitis. As a rule, the pathology proceeds according to the acute type, the chronic course is much less common.

Major predisposing factors

In more than 90% of cases, the root cause is the same - the penetration of pathogenic microflora into the organs of the urinary system. This can happen in two scenarios. Either the bacteria ascend from the urethra (ascending type) or descend directly from the kidneys (descending type). Often, the disease is the result of careless catheterization of the bladder, when, due to the negligence of a specialist, the delicate mucous membrane of the urethra is damaged. But the causes of this disease are much more diverse.

Very often, urocystitis (especially in older animals) is due to the development of urolithiasis in them. Uroliths (that is, stones that appeared due to the deposition of salts) are not too similar to billiard balls: their sharp edges severely damage the mucous membranes of the organs of the urinary system, against which an inflammatory reaction develops. Often, an inflammatory reaction is a natural response of the body to the excretion of some toxic substances by the kidneys. In particular, urocystitis may well develop against the background of poisoning dogs with salts of heavy metals or some drugs that the animal can eat due to an oversight of its owners.

Extremely dangerous injuries, including postoperative. In particular, unsuccessful fusion of the bladder after surgery can lead to cicatricial contraction of the entire organ. This will cause stasis of urine, which in turn will lead to inflammation of both the bladder itself and the urethra. Very predisposes to inflammation of the organs of the genitourinary system, local or general. In particular, urocystitis is an “occupational” disease of service and hunting dogs, which are often forced to bathe in any weather, spending a long time outdoors.

Read also: Hemorrhoids in dogs - deal with a delicate ailment

What microorganisms most often lead to inflammation of the bladder and urethra? The main "heroes of the occasion" are: staphylococci, streptococci, as well as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The latter is one of the most dangerous pathogens of purulent processes, since this microorganism is extremely resistant to the action of many antibacterial drugs of the latest generation.

Fortunately, inflammation of the bladder and urethra is rarely generalized. More often, only relatively small areas of the mucous membrane are affected, which greatly facilitates therapy. The easiest way to determine the presence of urocystitis is by urinalysis, since blood appears in the latter, epithelial cells in inadequate quantities, microorganisms. As a rule, in 90% of cases of inflammation of the bladder, the frequency of urination increases dramatically (due to constant irritation of the mucous membrane of this organ), and the volume of urine excreted decreases. In severe cases, the general well-being of the sick animal noticeably worsens, and intermittent fever may develop.

Clinical picture of the disease and diagnosis

Symptoms depend on the type of disease. When the disease proceeds according to an acute scenario, the dog becomes lethargic, it is depressed, a feverish state may develop, the act of urination becomes painful, blood often appears in the urine. An experienced specialist with palpation can feel an increase in the bladder, as well as a thickening of the walls of the urethra, which is due to the infiltration of lymphocytes into the thickness of their tissues. It is useful to collect all the urine excreted by the animal per day: if its amount is reduced, this indicates serious damage to the kidneys. In all cases, a general urine test is performed. If inflammation is present, under a microscope one can easily see a huge number of "fallen off" epithelial cells, as well as the smallest crystals of uroliths, "casts" of the renal tubules.

Urolithiasis affects the bladder, kidneys and urinary tract in dogs, forming sand and stones (calculi, uroliths) in them. Stones in these animals usually appear due to a change in the chemical composition of the urine to an acidic or alkaline flora. In most cases, salts crystallize in the lower part of the bladder. The following types of stones have been observed in dogs:

1. Oxalates. They are the hardest of all stones with sharp edges, are difficult to break down with drugs and grow rapidly.
2. cystine. In dachshunds, bulldogs and Newfoundlands, the formation of such stones is usually preceded by pedigree heredity. In other genetically pure pets, the appearance of urolithiasis is observed only in 5% of cases.
3. Struvites. Such stones are formed from calcium carbonate, ammonium phosphate and magnesium. They are deposited in the urinary tract due to the development of any bacterial infections in the dog's body.
4. Phosphate stones. Such stones are amenable to splitting with special medications prescribed by veterinarians. It forms in alkaline urine and grows rapidly.

There are cases of the formation of mixed types of stones in the bladder of dogs. In this regard, the unequal composition of stones reacts differently to medical procedures, so it is necessary to strictly follow all the doctor's prescriptions.

Symptoms

Urolithiasis is unscrupulous, as even the most well-mannered dog can one day describe a sofa. This disease greatly undermines the health of dogs. Uroliths affect soft tissues and cause such inflammations:

• repeated urination even in the wrong places;
• blood in the urine;
• urination is frequent, but in small drops;
• loss of appetite;
• groaning of a pet when urinating;
• loss of interest in gaming.

If any of these symptoms appear, do not hesitate to visit the veterinarian. Delaying treatment can even lead to the death of a pet, since large stones can block the urinary tract, thereby causing poisoning and intoxication of the whole organism. In no case do not treat your pet with folk methods. This is an extremely serious disease that does not tolerate delay. Most often, urolithiasis disturbs dogs aged four to six years. At the same time, males have an increased risk of being affected by this disease. We list the causes of the development of urolithiasis:

1. Infections that form in the urinary and genital tract. An infection that affects the change in blood composition, for example, staphylococcus aureus, can affect the formation of urolithiasis.
2. Drinking untreated tap water. Yes, such a seemingly harmless cause can cause the development of urolithiasis. In addition, insufficient drinking also affects the formation of uroliths and calculi.
3. Unbalanced nutrition. This reason includes mixed nutrition, when ready-made and natural food is included in the dog's feeding. Feed your dog natural food or canned food. Also, the lack of meat or fish in the diet leads to a deficiency of protein in the body, which contributes to the alkalinization of urine. Conversely, a constant feeding of fish and meat will lead to excess protein, which will affect the acidification of the urine and put a heavy burden on the liver and kidneys of dogs.
4. Insufficient walking. While the dog patiently waits for his owner to walk him, the urine crystallizes, and this is a short cut to the occurrence of urolithiasis.
5. Congenital pathologies: a violation of the metabolic process in the body, the genitourinary system, kidneys, etc. The list is endless.
6. Insufficient loads. Lack of activity in a dog can lead to obesity and stagnation of urine.

Treatment

Only a qualified veterinarian should diagnose the disease and make an accurate diagnosis. For example, the presence of large stones can be detected by the doctor using the usual palpation of the animal. The doctor will check for a blockage in the urinary tract with a regular catheter and based on a blood test. In some cases, both a fluoroscopic examination of the bladder and an abdominal ultrasound may be required to determine the type of uroliths. The direction of treatment of urolithiasis is determined by the type, size and position of the stone:

1. Surgical removal of oxalate and cystitis stones. In males, a complete blockade of the urinary tract is performed, leaving only an alternative channel for urine output.
2. Washing the paths. This method is used to focus the bladder stone, since it is easier to remove it from there.
3. Struvites and urates are broken down with the help of special medications and diet.
4. In an infectious disease, antibiotics are used.

Having cured your pet, do not forget about further prevention: watch his diet, let's drink a lot, walk more often and increase physical activity.

Article provided by the organization "Veterinary hospital at home"

The incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI) in dogs with diabetes mellitus (DM) and hyperadrenocorticism (HAK) is much higher than in other dogs. Only 15% of dogs without endocrine disorders develop UTI compared to 40-50% of dogs with DM and HAC. The morbidity rate in dogs chronically prescribed glucocorticoids is also 50%.

The pathogenesis of urinary tract infection

It is very difficult for healthy animals to get UTI due to the normal functioning of the urinary tract defense mechanisms. With the exception of the distal urethra, the urinary tract of healthy dogs remains sterile. Microorganisms that inhabit the lower genital tract and distal urethra prevent UTIs by inhibiting the attachment and growth of pathogenic bacteria. Frequent and complete urination physically removes bacteria from the urinary tract. Anatomical factors that cause one-way urine flow and prevent UTI penetration are ureteral motility, vesicoureteral valves, prostate secretions, urothelial surface properties, urethral length, urethral peristalsis, and urethral sphincter contraction. The properties of the mucous membrane, which produces antibodies and has its own antibacterial properties, and the surface layer of glycosaminoglycans also prevent the proliferation of bacteria in the urinary tract. Urine has its own antibacterial properties - very acidic or alkaline urine pH, hyperosmolality and high concentration of urea. Finally, systemic humoral and cellular immunity also protect healthy animals from UTIs.

Most UTIs are the result of bacteria entering the distal genitourinary tract and establishing themselves in the urethra or bladder, and possibly also in the ureters and kidneys. The bacteria that cause UTIs are the same bacteria that colonize the distal urogenital tract and perineum in healthy dogs. Any disorder that interferes with normal defense mechanisms and causes urinary tract dysfunction (low-density urine production or the presence of stones) predisposes the animal to UTI. Bitches are more likely to get UTIs, possibly because their urethra is shorter and they don't have prostate secretions.

Several mechanisms appear to predispose dogs with DM and HAC to UTIs. Both endocrine disorders cause polyuria and decreased urinary osmolality, which may increase the likelihood of UTIs. Excessive cortisol production in dogs with HAC may cause immunosuppression or a decrease in the normal inflammatory response to infection. Also, dogs with spontaneous OAC that have been treated with prednisone for a long time often develop UTIs. Glucosuria in diabetes can cause neutrophil dysfunction, which in fact predisposes to infections, including those of the urinary tract.

UTIs in dogs with DM and HAC are caused by the same organisms as in healthy dogs. Escherichia coli isolated in 65% of dogs, other isolated microorganisms are species Klebsiella(15%), kinds Streptococcus(7%), kinds Enterobacter(7%), kinds Staphylococcus(7%), kinds Enterococcus(7%) and types Proteus(7%). Approximately 80% of dogs with UTI, DM, and HAC are infected with one microorganism, and 20% with two or more organisms.

Clinical symptoms

Most dogs with UTIs, DM, or HAC are older dogs with an average age of 9 years. Miniature Schnauzers, Cocker Spaniels, and Poodles are predisposed to UTIs, while Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Métis are less prone to UTIs.

The clinical symptoms of UTIs are stranguria, dysuria, hematuria, and pollakiuria and are seen in less than 10% of dogs with DM and HAC. This may be due to the anti-inflammatory effects of excess cortisol in dogs with HAC. This is also due to the fact that owners are more likely to notice polyuria, which is common in dogs with DM and HAC. The absence of stranguria, dysuria, and pollakiuria in dogs with DM and HAC is indicative of kidney and ureteral infection, which may or may not be symptomatic of a urinary tract infection. General examination findings are typical of dogs with DM and HAC—cataract, skin lesions (pyoderma, skin thinning, alopecia, skin calcification), hepatomegaly, and abdominal enlargement.

Diagnostic assessment

The results of routine laboratory tests are characteristic of DM and HAC - stress leukogram, hyperglycemia, elevated liver enzymes, hypercholesterolemia and glycosuria. The specific gravity of urine varies, but most dogs have less than 1.020. The pH of urine is normal - 6-7. Proteinuria occurs in two-thirds of dogs with DM and HAC, whether they have a UTI or not. Urinary sediment analysis reveals hematuria in 45%, pyuria in 60%, and bacteriuria in 65% of dogs with UTI, DM, and HAC. Therefore, even with good urine sediment results, a UTI cannot be ruled out.

Because of the incidence of UTIs in dogs with DM and HAC and their lack of symptoms, urine cultures should be done in any case. Urine collected by cystocentesis should be sent for bacterial culture per mL of urine because low bacterial counts (less than 100 CFU/mL) may show contamination during specimen collection and transport. However, if an animal with a UTI received antibiotics 3-7 days prior to urinalysis, the number of bacteria may be less than expected. Urine culture results should be interpreted according to clinical symptoms and urinary sediment findings. Animals with stranguria, pollakiuria, pyuria, bacteriuria, or hematuria and few bacteria on culture are likely to have a UTI.

Treatment

If a significant growth of bacteria is detected during sowing, treatment with antibiotics is indicated. Since in animals with DM and HAC UTI will be complicated and may interfere with the treatment of endocrine disorders, the choice of antibiotics should be based on the results of urine culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Antibiotics that are most effective against bacteria that cause UTIs can be given while waiting for culture results (Table 1).

If the animal has not received antibiotics, the susceptibility of most bacteria that cause UTIs will be predictable. However, variations are possible with long-term treatment of UTIs in animals with DM and HAC.
For each animal, the choice of the appropriate antibiotic should be based on several factors. First, at the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the pathogenic organism by the drug in the urine. The effective antibiotic will be the one whose concentration in the urine will be four times the MIC (table 2).

Although quinolones, including enrofloxacin (Baytril, Haver) and norfloxacin (Noroxin, Merck), are effective for most UTIs, they should not be given empirically because they can selectively grow resistant organisms for which there are no antibiotics. In the case of a polybacterial infection, an antibiotic that is effective against all bacteria should be chosen. If this is not possible, each type of bacteria should be dealt with sequentially rather than a combination of antibiotics. Despite the fact that bacteriostatic drugs (chloramphenicol, nitrofurantoin, erythromycin, tetracycline) are effective against UTIs, bactericidal drugs are recommended in animals with DM and HAC due to the violation of protective mechanisms. Uncastrated males are prone to prostate infection, so they should be given antibiotics that reach the required concentration inside the prostate (chloramphenicol, trimethoprim-sulfa, erythromycin, tetracycline, and quinolones).

With the exception of quinolones and trimethoprim sulph, which are effective when given twice daily, other UTI antibiotics should be given three times daily. To maintain the optimal concentration of the antibiotic in the urine, the owner should give the drug immediately after urination. The ideal duration of treatment for UTIs in animals with DM and HAC is not known, but it makes sense to prescribe antibiotics until the underlying endocrine disorder has been resolved. The recommended duration of treatment is 4-6 weeks, although some animals may require longer therapy.

It is very important to monitor the effectiveness of treatment, as well as possible relapses. Because most animals with UTIs, DM, and HAC are asymptomatic and most have normal urinary sediment results, a quantitative and qualitative urine culture should be performed 3-5 days after the start of treatment and again 7 days after antibiotics have been discontinued. . If bacterial growth is detected at culture, then therapy is adjusted according to the results of the antibiotic susceptibility test and culture is repeated to ensure that the new antibiotic is effective. Since the duration of treatment for UTI remains unknown, it is recommended that a urine culture be performed every month until negative results are obtained. Animals with DM and HAC are characterized by recurrence of UTIs throughout their lives, so for these patients it is necessary to constantly (every 3-6 months) perform a urine culture.