Aetiology and treatment of urinary tract infections in companion animals

SUMMARY Urinary tract infections are one of the most common infectious diseases in dogs and cats. Similarly to humans, E. coli is the most prevalent causative agent of bacterial urinary tract infections (UTI). Several other bacteria can also play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease, like the Enterococcus, Staphylococcus, Proteus and Klebsiella genuses. The authors present the use of amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, as first line antibiotics and several other possibilities, like cephalexin, the potentiated sulphonamides, cefuroxime, cefovecin, enrofloxacin, marbofloxacin, pradofloxacin, amikacin, nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin as potential candidates for UTI treatment. The article emphasizes the importance of correct diagnosis and susceptibility tests to avoid unnecessary antibiotic usage and decrease the spread of resistant bacteria. Dosages and application routes are presented in details to prevent underdosing. In addition, the authors describe the special characteristics of cystitis, prostatitis and pyelonephritis treatment including their supporting therapy. Prostatitis and pyelonephritis are great challenges for practitioners taking into account their recurrent attributes and risk of development of resistance during the long treatment. Thus, susceptibility tests are essential in most of the cases