Frequency of crystalluria and bacteriuria in companion dogs of Ahvaz district

Abstract

Crystalluria is one of the most important factors contributing to the pathogenesis of urinary stones. The type of urinary crystals can be associated with urinary tract infection and subsequently alter urine pH. The aim of the present survey was to evaluate the frequency of crystalluria and bacteriuria in companion dogs of Ahvaz district. For this purpose, the urine of 101 healthy dogs was obtained by catheterization. Physical assessment was initially carried out for specific gravity, color, clearance and apparent characteristics, and then the biochemical analysis was performed to evaluate the presence of hemoglobin, glucose, protein, ketone bodies and urine pH was also measured. Urinary sediment was also evaluated for the presence of crystals, casts and cells. Urine samples were also examined for the presence of Staphylococcus, Proteus and Escherichia coli bacteria. Overall twenty cases (19.80%) had crystalluria; of which fifteen cases (75%) were struvite, two cases (10%) were oxalate calcium dehydrate, two cases (10%) mixture of struvite and oxalate-calcium dehydrate and one case (5%) mixture of oxalate calcium dehydrate and bilirubin. From a total of 101 samples, 40 cases (39.60%) had positive urine culture; of which sixteen cases (40%) were positive for Staphylococcus epidermidis and twelve (30%) for E. coli. Proteus was not isolated in any of the samples. There was no significant relationship between gender and breed with bacteriuria and crystalluria (p>0.05), but a significant difference was observed for age; with rising age resulting in increased crystalluria and bacteriuria (p<0.05). Also, the results showed that there was a close correlation between crystalluria and bacteriuria in dogs.

Keywords

• ahvaz
• bacteriuria
• crystalluria
• dog