URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS: BAD BUGS BLADDER DRUGS

摘要

A bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI) exists when bacteria adhere, multiply, and persist in a portion of the urinary tract. The infection may or may not produce clinical signs. Bacterial urinary tract infections are reported to occur in 2 to 3 percent of dogs and in less than 1 percent of cats.1'2 Cats appear to be more innately resistant to bacterial UTI than dogs. The urinary tract is in contact with the external environment and has many defense mechanisms to prevent bacterial UTI.3 Anatomically, the length of the urethra, presence of high pressure zones within the urethra, urethral and ureteral peristalsis, vesicoureteral flaps to prevent reflux of urine from the bladder into the ureters, and extensive renal blood supply and flow are protective.