Comparison of trained and untrained dog urines.

Abstract

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common disease in dogs, as it is in children. Numerous anatomic and hygienic factors may predispose to the condition which may lead to pyelonephritis. Like in children, Escherichia coli is the most common bacteria isolated from urines of dogs with UTI [1, 2]. Additionally, it was found that similar Escherichia coli strains were responsible for UTIs both in dogs and humans [3]. Urinary stasis provides a suitable environment for bacterial colonization leading to UTI. Voluntary stasis may be seen in children who habitually delay micturition and similarly in trained dogs, both of whom gain sphincter control after toilet training. Habitual voiding patterns have shown to be closely associated with UTIs in children, but the effect of urinary stasis resulting from voluntary micturition delay on UTIs in trained dogs has not yet been demonstrated. In this study we investigated whether toilet training is a predisposing factor in dogs, which is one of the biggest social handicaps of humans. For this purpose we compared urinary properties of trained animals, which empty their bladder when they are allowed and untrained animals, which have no limitation for voiding. Materials and methods