Urinalysis and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Bacteria Isolated from Urine of Dogs and Cats in Poland in 2023: Associations Between Urine Parameters and Bacteriuria

Bacterial urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in dogs and cats. This study examined the correlations between routine urinalysis and culture-confirmed infections and described the etiologic agents and antimicrobial susceptibility to support stewardship. In 2023, 1787 urine samples (854 dogs, 933 cats) underwent urinalysis, aerobic culture with species identification, and disk-diffusion testing per Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute standards; non-parametric statistics with effect sizes were applied. Pyuria was the strongest correlate of infection in both species. Low urine specific gravity was associated with infection and crystal detection, and urine pH correlated weakly with growth in dogs. Nitrite positivity was strongly associated with infection in dogs but showed no diagnostic value in cats. Hematuria showed a weak inverse association in dogs and no association in cats. Females and older animals were more frequently infected, and infections were slightly more common in summer. Most episodes were monomicrobial (85%), predominantly caused by Escherichia coli (48.4% of dogs; 51.5% of cats). E. coli remained broadly susceptible to nitrofurantoin and aminoglycosides. Fluoroquinolone activity was variable. Pseudomonas spp. showed the highest susceptibility to ceftazidime, cefepime, and aminoglycosides. These findings support culture when pyuria, dilute urine, or nitrite positivity is detected and favour short, targeted empiric therapy pending results, guided by a stepwise clinical decision pathway.