Prevalence of urinary tract infection in dogs after surgery for thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion

Abstract

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common complication in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Dogs with acute intervertebral disc extrusion (IVDE) have similar risk factors for UTI when compared with human SCI patients and have a high perioperative prevalence of UTI. Objectives: Determine the prevalence of UTI in dogs for 3 months after surgery for thoracolumbar IVDE and identify risk factors for development of UTI. Animals: Twenty-five dogs treated surgically for 26 acute disc extrusions. Methods: Prospective study. Urinalysis and urine culture were performed perioperatively. At home, owners monitored urine with dipsticks every 48 hours for 1 month then once a week until 3 months. Dogs returned for assessment of motor function, urinalysis, and urine culture at 1 and 3 months after surgery. Presence of UTI over the 3-month period was correlated to potential risk factors. Results: Ten dogs (38%) developed 12 UTIs over the 3-month period, with the majority occurring between weeks 1 and 6; 60% of the UTIs were occult. Hematuria in the absence of pyuria or UTI was a common finding in the perioperative period. Sex, breed, and ambulatory status influenced the risk of developing a UTI. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: There is a high prevalence ofUTIs, many of which are occult, in the 3months after surgery for thoracolumbar IVDE. These dogs should be routinely monitored for UTI with urine culture regardless of urinalysis results. © 2010 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.