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.


OBJECTIVE
Urinary tract infections are common in diabetic cats.


METHODS
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
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.
Bailiff
N L
NL
Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
Nelson
R W
RW
Feldman
E C
EC
Westropp
J L
JL
Ling
G V
GV
Jang
S S
SS
Kass
P H
PH
D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D002415:Cats; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014556:Urine / Q000737:chemistry
D005947:Glucose