Investigation of subclinical bacteriuria in cats with dermatological disease receiving long-term glucocorticoids and/or ciclosporin.

BACKGROUND: Dogs receiving long-term glucocorticoids or ciclosporin have an increased frequency of bacteriuria. No studies have investigated the frequency of bacteriuria in cats receiving long-term glucocorticoids and/or ciclosporin.

HYPOTHESES/OBJECTIVES: To document whether subclinical bacteriuria occurs in cats receiving long-term glucocorticoid and/or ciclosporin for management of chronic disease.

ANIMALS: Thirty two cats treated with parenteral glucocorticoids and/or oral glucocorticoids and/or ciclosporin were included.

METHODS: Thirty two cats receiving oral glucocorticoids and/or ciclosporin for at least three months or at least two injections of long-acting glucocorticoids within the preceding six months were evaluated. Thirty four healthy cats were used as a control group. Urinalysis and urine culture was performed on urine samples collected by cystocentesis from each cat.

RESULTS: In the glucocorticoid/ciclosporin group, none of 32 cats had a positive urine culture. In the control group, one of 34 cats had a positive urine culture. There were no statistically significant differences between the urinalyses from either group.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: There was no evidence to suggest that administration of long-term glucocorticoids and/or ciclosporin is associated with bacteriuria in cats.