Bacterial cystitis is infection and inflammation of the urinary bladder, almost always from bacteria that ascend the urethra from the perineum. It is one of the commonest reasons dogs receive antimicrobials, so the NAVLE focuses on stewardship: classifying the infection correctly, not treating bacteriuria without signs, and using the shortest effective course. Unlike cats, in which most lower urinary tract signs are sterile, dogs with these signs often do have a bacterial infection.
Key facts
Cystitis at a glance- Species and system: dog; lower urinary tract. Females are at higher risk than males.
- Cause: usually a single organism; Escherichia coli is the most common, followed by staphylococci, enterococci and Proteus.
- Classic presentation: pollakiuria, stranguria, dysuria, hematuria and periuria in a dog that is otherwise well.
- Diagnosis: urinalysis with sediment; quantitative aerobic culture of a cystocentesis sample is the gold standard.
- Treatment (sporadic): amoxicillin or trimethoprim-sulfonamide for 3 to 5 days (Merck Veterinary Manual, in line with the 2019 ISCAID guidelines).
- Zoonotic or reportable: cystitis is not reportable. Antimicrobial resistance is a One Health concern, and Brucella canis, a zoonotic cause of prostatitis, should be considered in intact males.
What's inside
13 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Special forms
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 6 tables, 2 figures, 3 self-test questions and 15 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.