title: Prevalence and characterization of urinary tract infections in dogs with surgically treated type 1 thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cross-sectional clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs (n=92) that were surgically treated for a thoracolumbar extradural compressive spinal cord lesion that was consistent with type 1 IVD extrusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  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 <35 degrees C during anesthesia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  UTI are common in dogs with surgically treated type 1 thoracolumbar IVD extrusion. Females, dogs that cannot ambulate or voluntarily urinate, dogs not administered perioperative cefazolin, and dogs whose body temperature falls <35 degrees C during anesthesia have a higher incidence of UTI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All dogs with surgically treated type 1 thoracolumbar IVD extrusion should be monitored for the presence of UTI; however, close attention should be paid to females and dogs that cannot ambulate or voluntarily urinate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Athens Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, GA 30602-7390, USA.
authors.forename: Kevin S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Stiffler
authors.forename: M A McCrackin
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.forename: Jeanne A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Barsanti
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hofmeister
authors.forename: Steven C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Budsberg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000652:urine; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*