Urinary tract infections in cats with hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease

• Published in: Journal of feline medicine and surgery Vol. 9; no. 2; pp. 124 - 132
• Main Authors: Mayer-Roenne, Bettina, Goldstein, Richard E., Erb, Hollis N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England Elsevier Ltd 01-04-2007; SAGE Publications
• Subjects: Animals; Cat Diseases - diagnosis; Cat Diseases - epidemiology; Cats; Comorbidity; Diabetes Complications - epidemiology; Diabetes Complications - veterinary; diabetes mellitus; Diabetes Mellitus - epidemiology; Diabetes Mellitus - veterinary; Diagnosis, Differential; disease prevalence; Female; hyperthyroidism; Hyperthyroidism - epidemiology; Hyperthyroidism - veterinary; kidney diseases; Kidney Failure, Chronic - epidemiology; Kidney Failure, Chronic - veterinary; Male; Prevalence; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; urinary tract diseases; Urinary Tract Infections - epidemiology; Urinary Tract Infections - veterinary
• ISSN: 1098-612X; 1532-2750
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jfms.2006.09.004

The prevalence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in cats with hyperthyroidism (
n
=
90), diabetes mellitus (DM) (
n
=
57) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) (
n
=
77) was evaluated retrospectively. It was found to be 12% in cats with hyperthyroidism and DM, respectively, and 22% in cats with CKD. Associations between UTIs and clinical signs, biochemical markers in serum and urinalyses were investigated. Many of the cats with UTIs had no clinical signs of lower urinary tract disease or changes in their laboratory values indicative of infection. Therefore, a urinalysis alone should not be used to exclude UTIs in these cats. UTIs are relatively common in cats with hyperthyroidism, DM and CKD, and urine cultures are recommended as part of the basic diagnostic plan for cats suspected of suffering from these conditions.