Prevalence and Characterization of Urinary Tract Infections in Dogs with Surgically Treated Type 1 Thoracolumbar Intervertebral Disc Extrusion

• Published in: Veterinary surgery 2006-06, Vol.35 (4), p.330-336
• Main Authors: STIFFLER, KEVIN S, STEVENSON, M.A. McCRACKIN, SANCHEZ, SUSAN, BARSANTI, JEANNE A, HOFMEISTER, ERIK, BUDSBERG, STEVEN C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: anesthesia; Animals; antibiotics; Back surgery; bacterial infections; bladder diseases; central nervous system diseases; Cross-Sectional Studies; Decompression, Surgical - veterinary; disease prevalence; disease transmission; dog diseases; Dog Diseases - epidemiology; Dog Diseases - etiology; Dog Diseases - pathology; Dog Diseases - surgery; Dog Diseases - urine; Dogs; epidemiological studies; Female; females; Georgia - epidemiology; Intervertebral Disc Displacement - surgery; Intervertebral Disc Displacement - veterinary; lumbar spine; Lumbar Vertebrae; Male; movement disorders; musculoskeletal diseases; postoperative complications; Postoperative Complications - epidemiology; Postoperative Complications - veterinary; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Severity of Illness Index; spinal cord; surgery; Thoracic Vertebrae; thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion; Urinary tract diseases; Urinary Tract Infections - epidemiology; Urinary Tract Infections - veterinary; urination; vertebrae; Veterinary services
• ISSN: 0161-3499; 1532-950X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2006.00153.x

To determine the prevalence of urinary tract infections (UTI), factors that correlate positively with UTI, and whether identified UTI are most likely community- or hospital acquired in dogs with surgically treated type 1 thoracolumbar intervertebral disc (IVD) extrusions. Prospective cross-sectional clinical study. Dogs (n=92) that were surgically treated for a thoracolumbar extradural compressive spinal cord lesion that was consistent with type 1 IVD extrusion. Dogs were evaluated for bacterial lower UTI when possible by cystocentesis and urine culture before surgery, and 48-72, 96-120 hours, and 7 days after surgery while hospitalized. Paraparesis, confirmation of thoracolumbar extruded nucleus pulposus, and informed owner consent were required for study inclusion. Urine specimens (n=297) were cultured and both objective and subjective clinical data were obtained. Prevalence of UTI in dogs with surgically treated type 1 thoracolumbar IVD extrusion was 27% (25 dogs). Temporal prevalence of UTI was 15% (13/89) before surgery, 12% (11/91) at 2-3 days, 16% (12/76) at 4-5 days, and 20% (8/41) at 7 days after surgery. Statistically significant factors affecting UTI prevalence included neurologic and urinary status, sex, administration of perioperative antibiotics, and amount of time body temperature was