Abstract: Background– Recent evidence suggests the proportion of multidrug-resistant (MDR) urinary tract infections (UTIs) in dogs is increasing.
Objective– To characterize antimicrobial resistance trends in canine UTIs and determine risk factors associated with development of MDR UTIs.
Animals– 1,106 bacterial isolates from 759 dogs treated at a veterinary teaching hospital
Methods– Isolate susceptibility data from urine cultures were retrospectively evaluated over 2 time periods (2009–2013; 2017–2021). Information extracted from medical records included signalment, urinalysis findings, classification of sporadic or recurring UTI, presence of lower urinary tract signs, urolithiasis, neoplasia, chronic kidney disease, endocrinopathies, urinary tract anatomical disorders, micturition disorders, previous antimicrobial or immunosuppressive drug use, and history of indwelling catheterization. Chi-square tests and random-effect logistic regression were used to assess temporal changes and risk factors.
Results– There were increases in MDR isolates between the 2 time periods (P < .001) and extensively-drug resistant (XDR) isolates from 2017–2021 (P < .001). Common isolates included Escherichia coli (40.1%), Staphylococcus spp. (14.3%), and Enterococcus spp. (12.9%), all with an increasing trend in antimicrobial resistance from 2009–2021 (P < .001). Significant risk factors for MDR UTIs included previous antimicrobial and immunosuppressive therapy (P < .001 and P = .044 respectively), micturition disorders (P = .005), and previous catheterization (P < .001).
Conclusions and Clinical Importance– The increase in MDR/XDR UTIs emphasizes the urgent need for antimicrobial stewardship and the importance of urine culture and susceptibility, especially in dogs with previous antimicrobial or immunosuppressive drug use, micturition disorders, or previous catheterization.
