Bacterial urinary tract infections associated with transitional cell carcinoma in dogs.
BACKGROUND
Urinary tract infections (UTI) are believed to be common in dogs with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), but incidence and contributing factors have not been reported.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency and bacterial agents associated with UTI in dogs with TCC and define contributing factors.


METHODS
Eighty-five dogs with a history of urogenital TCC undergoing treatment with chemotherapy that had at least 1 urine culture performed.


METHODS
Medical records and culture results were retrospectively reviewed and ultrasound images were reviewed when available. Clinical factors were evaluated statistically for association with positive culture.


RESULTS
Fifty-five percent (47/85) of dogs had at least 1 positive culture during the course of treatment. Female dogs (80%, 40/50) were more likely than male dogs (29%, 10/35) to have at least 1 positive culture. Ultrasound examination determined that female dogs were more likely to have urethral (74%, 31/42) or trigonal tumor involvement (71%, 30/42) compared to male dogs (32%, 9/28 and 43%, 12/28, respectively). The most commonly isolated organisms were Staphylococcus spp. (23.9%, 29/121) and Escherichia coli (19.8%, 24/121). Dogs with urethral involvement of TCC were significantly more likely to have at least 1 positive culture than dogs without urethral involvement (75%, 30/40 versus 30%, 9/30).


CONCLUSIONS
Urinary tract infection is common in dogs with TCC highlighting the importance of regular monitoring for bacterial cystitis in dogs with TCC. In addition, clinical factors such as tumor location and sex may be predictive of positive culture and can help clinicians assess the risk of UTI.
Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Center for Companion Animal Health, University of California, Davis, CA.
D M
DM
Budreckis
Department of Clinical Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
B A
BA
Byrne
Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
R E
RE
Pollard
Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
R B
RB
Rebhun
Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
C O
CO
Rodriguez
Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
K A
KA
Skorupski
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D004285:Dogs; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D012737:Sex Factors; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D014523:Urethral Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014571:Urologic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
Canine; Neoplasia; Urethral