Evaluation of electrocariographic findings in dogs diagnosed with urinary tract infection (UTI)

This study aimed to evaluate electrocardiographic findings in dogs diagnosed with urninary tract infection (UTI), alongside urinalysis and microbiological results. The study included 40 dogs in total, 30 with UTIs anda 10 healty controls. Among the UTI group, 17 (56,67%) were male and 13 (43,33%) were female. Of these, 5 females and 5 males had been neutered. The average age of the UTI group was 8,05±3,91 years. Urine samples were collected via cystocentesis under ultrasonographic guidance. Electrocardiography (ECG) was performed at the same time. Complete urinalysis, bacterial culture and identification were carreid aout on the samples. Antibiotic susceptibility testing (antibiogram) was performed to determine the most effective treatment. Clinically, the most common symptoms observed were dysuria (36,67%) and hematuria (36,67%), followed by pollakiuria (16,67%) and stranguria (10,00%). The most frequently isolated bacteria were Escherichia coli (66,67%), Staphylococcus spp. (23,33%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10,00%) with E.coli being predominant pathogen. In the comparative analysis of biochemical and hematological parameters, significant differences were found between the UTI and control groups in albumin (p= 0,0006), MCHC (p= 0,031) and PDW (p= 0,005). No significant differences were noted in other parameters. Regarding ECG findigns, the QRS duration (p= 0,026) and QT interval (p= 0,043) were significantly longer in the UTI group, suggesting delayed ventricular depolarization. Other ECG parameters, including heart rate, P wave height and width, PR interval, R wave amplitude, ST segment and T wave characteristics did not show statistically significant differences (p > 0,05). Keywords: Urine Culture, Antibiogram, Canne Urinary Tract İnfection, Urinalysis, Urinary Ultrasonography, Electrocardigraphy