Clinical and microbiological characterization of subclinical bacteriuria and sporadic bacterial cystitis in dogs with spontaneous hypercortisolism

•Canine hypercortisolism-related urinary tract infection is currently less frequent.•Subclinical bacteriuria is more frequent than sporadic bacterial cystitis in HC.•Lymphopenia and low urine specific gravity predicted urinary tract infection.•Sporadic bacterial cystitis and subclinical bacteriuria may be misclassified in HC.•MALDI-TOF technology is useful in canine urine bacteria identification. Study’s aims were to characterize subclinical bacteriuria (SB) and sporadic bacterial cystitis (SBC) in dogs with spontaneous hypercortisolism (HC). Prospective cross-sectional design divided patients as newly diagnosed (n = 27), poorly controlled (n = 21), well controlled (n = 34), and controls (n = 19). Urine culture positive results were identified by MALDI-TOF and submitted to antibiogram. Escherichia coli was the most common microorganism (36%). The majority of positive cultures in HC were SB (12.2%). All 4.1% SBC cases were in well controlled HC cases. Bacteriuria correlated with low urine specific gravity and low lymphocyte count. HC degree of control correlated with leukocyturia. SB/SBC cases were treated based in antimicrobial susceptibility leading to microbiological cure in 75% of HC cases. Persistent infections occurred only in SB cases, all by E. coli which became more resistant. SB/SBC prevalence in canine HC is actually lower. Further evidence for current ISCAID guideline contraindication for SB treatment due to HC were provided.