Results of analyses and bacterial cultures of urine specimens obtained from clinically normal cats by three methods
Lees, G.E.; Simpson, R.B.; Green, R.A.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 184(4): 449-454
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 6365868 Document Number: 222306
Six urine specimens were obtained from each of 6 male and 6 female cats in a 3-week period. The first and last specimens from each cat were obtained by cystocentesis, 2 were obtained by urethral catheterization, and 2 were caught during voiding stimulated by manual bladder compression. Quantitative urine cultures did not reveal bacteria in specimens obtained by cystocentesis, and urinary tract infection did not develop during the study. Bacteria were found in 3 (25%) of 12 urine specimens obtained by catheterization of males and in 1 (8%) of 12 specimens obtained by catheterization of females. Magnitude of bacteriuria in specimens obtained by catheterization was 10 to 1000 organisms/ml. Bacteria also were found in specimens obtained during voiding. Each of 11 (100%) cleanly caught specimens obtained from males and 7 (58%) of 12 voided specimens from females contained bacteria. Magnitude of bacteriuria in voided specimens was usually 100 to 10 000 organisms/ml, but 3 voided specimens contained more than 10 000 organisms/ml. Many bacteriuric specimens contained more than 1 type of organism; however, bacteria that might be suspected of causing urinary tract infections in cats were found frequently. Urinalyses were performed on 66 specimens. Completeness of urinalyses depended on the volume of specimens available, but results were normal except for evidence of haematuria in a few specimens obtained by cystocentesis or catheterization. Haematuria was usually mild and was attributed to haemorrhage caused by minor urinary tract trauma during urine collection.