UTIs

Question 1

urinary tract infection

Answer 1

bacterial colonization of lower urinary tract with characteristic clinical signs

Question 2

cystitis

Answer 2

bladder inflammation

Question 3

bacterial cystitis

Answer 3

bacterial bladder infection

Question 4

subclinical bacteriuria

Answer 4

presence of bacteria in urine (positive urine culture) without clinical signs

Question 5

is subclinical bacteriuria more common in cats or dogs

Answer 5

dogs - usually with concurrent comorbidities

RARE in cats

Question 6

is subclinical bacteriuria commonly treated

Answer 6

no - usually no treated unless it is a urease producing bacteria, systemic disease, or azotemic

Question 7

hematuria

Answer 7

blood in the urine

Question 8

pollakiuria

Answer 8

small amounts of urine, frequently

Question 9

dysuria

Answer 9

painful urinations

Question 10

periuria

Answer 10

inappropriate urinations

Question 11

stranguria

Answer 11

straining to urinate

Question 12

polyuria

Answer 12

increased volume of urine

Question 13

urinary incontinence

Answer 13

unconscious urine leaking (increased sense of urgency)

Question 14

is systemic disease a sign of a UTI

Answer 14

NO - a sign of pyelonephritis or prostatitis

Question 15

sporadic bacterial cystitis

Answer 15

three or less UTIs in one year

NO known urinary tract/systemic comorbidities

Question 16

recurrent UTIs

Answer 16

greater than three UTIs in one year

often associated with comorbidities

can be reinfection or relapse

Question 17

reinfection vs relapse

Answer 17

reinfection: urinary tract was sterile then reinfected with NEW organisms

relapse: (persistent) urinary tract was NOT completely sterilized, recurs with the same organism

Question 18

are UTIs more common in dogs or cats

Answer 18

dogs

Question 19

what bacteria are dogs most susceptible to

Answer 19

E. coli
staphylococcus

Question 20

what do cats with lower urinary tract signs typically have

Answer 20

feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC)

Question 21

what are the physical exam findings of UTI

Answer 21

mostly normal - possibly thickened bladder, firm urethra, check prostate and vulva

Question 22

defense against UTIs: urine

Answer 22

antimicrobial properties - high osmolality, highly acidic (low pH)

Question 23

defense against UTIs: urethra

Answer 23

hydrokinetic washout

high pressure urination helps clear bacteria out from urethra

Question 24

defense against UTIs: bladder

Answer 24

hydrokinetic washout, bactericidal (immunoglobulins)

Question 25

defense against UTIs: ureters

Answer 25

unidirectional flow and peristaltic waves

ureters enter bladder at an angle

Question 26

what can bacteria produce/what properties do bacteria have to promote UTIs

Answer 26

• urease
• beta lactamase
• flagella
• fimbria
• R-plasmids

Question 27

urease

Answer 27

enzyme produced by certain pathogens that hydrolyzes urea to ammonia

ammonia causes direct urothelial injury

Question 28

uroepithelium

Answer 28

bladder lining made of umbrella cells on the surface with basal cells below

bacteria hold on to umbrella cells, some can burrow down to basal layers to relapse

Question 29

UTI on urinalysis

Answer 29

WBC (pyuria) + bacteriuria

pyuria not always present
bacteriuria > 1,000

RBC + proteinuria common but NOT indicative

Question 30

susceptibility testing

Answer 30

identifies the type of bacteria in the urine and which antibiotics will work

Question 31

minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)

Answer 31

in vitro measure of inhibition of bacterial growth

measures the least amount of antibiotic needed to inhibit 90% bacterial growth

Question 32

where do most antibiotics concentrate

Answer 32

urine

need normal GFR to be efficacious

Question 33

treatment for sporadic UTIs

Answer 33

treat for 3-5 days

amoxicillin, clavamox, trimethoprim-sulfa

Question 34

treatment for recurrent UTIs

Answer 34

treat for 7-14 days

AB depends on susceptibility testing
NSAIDS while waiting for results

Question 35

host predispositions to UTIs

Answer 35

• exposure to bacteria
• micturition problems
• anatomic predispositions
• systemic disease

Question 36

are UTIs common in horses

Answer 36

not as primary condition, usually secondary to something else

usually E. coli

Question 37

are UTIs common in cows

Answer 37

yes; commonly progresses to pyelonephritis

E. coli

Question 38

are UTIs common in rabbits

Answer 38

yes; does not commonly progress to pyelonephritis

causes GI stasis syndrome

E. coli, pasteurella