Bacterial Cystitis
DESCRIPTION
 Bacterial cystitis inflammation and infection of the urinary bladder caused by a micro-organism
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
 SYSTEMS AFFECTED
 Urinary System
BREED PREDILECTIONS
 No breed predisposition
SIGNS
Historical Findings
 Physical Examination Findings
 Polyuria
 Pollakiuria
 Hematuria
 Dysuria
 Inappropriate urination
 Straining to urinate
 Excessive licking of their urogenital area
 Pain upon urination or caudal abdominal palpation can also be seen with the condition
CAUSES
 Bacteria (Staphylococcus or Proteus)
DIAGNOSIS
 Urinalysis
 CBC
 Bacterial culture
TREATMENT
 Bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics. A culture and sensitivity will determine the best
antibiotic to use
 Carnivore urine should be on the acidic end of the pH scale
 Certain bacteria will thrive in more alkaline pH ranges. Modifying the pH of the urine with use of
diet or urinary acidifiers may be needed in treatment of bacterial cystitis
MEDICATION
 Antibiotic
o Amoxicillin (10–20 mg/kg, PO, every 8–12 hours)
o Cefadroxil (22–30 mg/kg, PO, every 12 hours)
o Cefpodoxime (5–10 mg/kg/day, FDA approved for dogs only)
o Trimethroprim-sulfamethoxazole (15–30 mg/kg, PO, every 12 hours)
o
Cefovecin (8 mg/kg, SC, day 1, which may be repeated once 7 days later)
Pyelonephritis
DESCRIPTION
 Renal infection characterized by inflammation of the kidney and renal pelvis
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
 Acute pyelonephritis results from bacterial invasion of the renal parenchyma. Bacteria usually
reach the kidney by ascending from the lower urinary tract. In all age groups, episodes of
bacteriuria occur commonly, but most are asymptomatic and do not lead to infection. The
development of infection is influenced by bacterial factors and host factors
 Bacteria may also reach the kidney via the bloodstream. Hematogenous sources of gram-positive
organisms, such as Staphylococcus, are intravenous drug abuse and endocarditis. Experimental
evidence suggests that hematogenous spread of gram-negative organisms to the kidney is less
likely unless an underlying problem exists, such as an obstruction. Little or no evidence supports
lymphatic spread of uropathogens to the kidney
SYSTEMS AFFECTED
 Urinary System
BREED PREDILECTIONS
 No breed predilection
SIGNS
Historical Findings
 Complication of an ascending urinary tract infection (UTI) which spreads from the bladder to the
kidneys and their collecting systems
Physical Examination Findings
 Clinical signs are usually less dramatic than those seen with acute kidney infections
 Fever
 Kidney
 Flank pain
 Lethargy
 Vomiting
 PU/PD
CAUSES
 Ascending bacterial infection, although some systemic bacterial or viral infections can spread to
the kidneys via the blood stream
 Causes of ascending infections include:
o Impeded flow of urine
o Immunosuppressive conditions in older animals
o Some cases are idiopathic
DIAGNOSIS
 Urinalysis
 CBC




Blood work
Urine culture
Renal ultrasound
Pyelogram
TREATMENT
 Antibiotics can be used to treat the infection as long as it is bacterial. These infections usually
require higher and longer dosing than an animal with cystitis would need
 Fluid therapy is an important part of therapy in many animals, as it may help prevent the infection
from progressing to kidney failure. It will also help animal that is already in renal failure with better
profusion and lessen uremia
 With the worst case scenario, patients may require a nephrectomy
MEDICATION
 Antibiotic
o Fluoroquinolones
o Cefpodoxime
o Cefotaxime
Interstitial Nephritis
DESCRIPTION
 Acute interstitial nephritis in dogs is caused most often by Leptospira interrogans. Cats rarely
develop leptospirosis, and clinical signs are less severe than in dogs. Other infectious causes of
nephritis in dogs include Leishmania donovani and Borrelia burgdorferi
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
 In acute interstitial nephritis, the tubular damage leads to renal tubular dysfunction, with or without
acute kidney injury. Regardless of the severity of the damage to the tubular epithelium, the renal
dysfunction is generally reversible, possibly reflecting the regenerative capacity of tubules with
preserved basement membrane
SYSTEMS AFFECTED
 Urinary System
BREED PREDILECTIONS
 No breed predilection
SIGNS
Historical Findings
 Presents with non-oliguric acute kidney injury, but oliguria can be present
Physical Examination Findings
 Bloody or foul smelling urine
 Fever
 Difficulty urinating
 Increased thirst and urination
 Drowsiness







Lethargy
Confusion
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Nausea
Swollen body parts
Weight gain
CAUSES
 Leptospirosis
DIAGNOSIS
 Urinalysis
 CBC
TREATMENT
 Depend on the underlying cause of the condition. If it is a certain medication or antibiotic that is
causing side effects or an allergic reaction, avoidance of this medication should diminish the
conditions promptly
 If the condition is caused by dietary factors, the meal plans and diet will need to be modified.
Sometimes, this means limiting the amount of protein or salt in the diet
 Anti-inflammatory medications or corticosteroids may also be used to relieve symptoms of
interstitial nephritis in dogs
 Surgery may also be required in certain cases
MEDICATION
 Antibiotic
 Anti-inflammatory medications
Capillaria plica Infection
DESCRIPTION
 Capillaria plica may infect the urinary bladder, and occasionally the ureters and renal pelvises, of
dogs and cats. Distribution is worldwide, and wild animals appear to be the primary hosts
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
 SYSTEMS AFFECTED
 Urinary System
BREED PREDILECTIONS
 SIGNS
Historical Findings
 Physical Examination Findings
 Cystitis






Hematuria
Dysuria
Pollakiuria (frequent urination)
Urethral obstruction
Renal failure
Lead to secondary bacterial infections
CAUSES
 Pearsonema plica
 Eucoleus aerophilus (Capillaria aerophilus)
 Eucoleus boehmi (Capillaria boehmi)
DIAGNOSIS
 Fecalysis
 Urinalysis
TREATMENT
 Using dewormers
MEDICATION
 Fenbendazole (Panacur®)
 Ivermectin (Ivomec®, Heartgard®)
 Milbemycin
 Moxidectin
References:
Aiello, S. E., & Moses, M. A. (2016). The Merck Veterinary Manual. John Wiley & Sons.
Brown, S. A. (2023a, April 26). Bacterial Cystitis in Small Animals. MSD Veterinary Manual.
https://www.msdvetmanual.com/urinary-system/infectious-diseases-of-the-urinarysystem-in-small-animals/bacterial-cystitis-in-small-animals
Brown, S. A. (2023b, April 26). Pyelonephritis in Small Animals. MSD Veterinary Manual.
https://www.msdvetmanual.com/urinary-system/infectious-diseases-of-the-urinarysystem-in-small-animals/pyelonephritis-in-small-animals
Brown, S. A. (2023c, April 26). Pyelonephritis in Small Animals. MSD Veterinary Manual.
https://www.msdvetmanual.com/urinary-system/infectious-diseases-of-the-urinarysystem-in-small-animals/pyelonephritis-in-small-animals
Chauhan, R. S. (2019). Textbook of Veterinary Pathology. CBS Publishers & Distributors Pvt
Limited, India.
Interstitial Nephritis in Dogs. (n.d.). VetInfo. https://www.vetinfo.com/interstitial-nephritis-indogs.html
IRIS. (2012). IRIS Kidney - Education - What pet owners should know about kidney function and
the diagnosis and management of chronic kidney disease in dogs and cats.
http://www.iris-kidney.com/education/pyelonephritis.html
Sastry, G. A. (2019). Veterinary Pathology. CBS Publishers & Distributors Pvt Limited, India.