Frequency survey of crystalluria and bacteriuria in companion dogs of Ahvaz district

Crystalluria is one of the most important factors contributing to the pathogenesis of urinary stones. The type of the present crystal in urine can be associated with urinary tract infection and bacteriuria. 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 on the presence of hemoglobin, glucose, protein, ketone bodies and pH in urine. Urinary sediment was also evaluated for the presence of crystals, castes and cells. Urine specimens were investigated for the type of Staphylococcus, Proteus and Escherichia coli bacteria. Overall twenty cases (19.80%) had crystalluria; of these numbers, fifteen cases (75%) were struvite, two cases (10%) oxalate calcium dehydrate, two cases (10%) mixed of struvite and oxalate-calcium dehydrate and one case (5%) mixed of oxalate calcium dehydrate and bilirubin. From out of 101 samples, 40 cases (39.60%) had positive urine culture; of that number, sixteen cases (40%) were positive for Staphylococcus epidermidis and twelve (30%) for E. coli. Proteus was not isolated in any of 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; so that with age rising, crystalluria and bacteriuria were increased (p