Urine culture & Lactobacillus species bacteria?

[FeebysOwner]

Also, in dogs it’s common practice to not treat even pathogenic bacteria unless the dog is showing symptoms. (Dogs get uti much more commonly than cats so that’s why dogs are used as an example)

Yes, I have been doing more research and am reading the same thing - for cats as well. Asymptomatic - or, for animals, subclinical - bacteriuria is often not treated because there is no evidence to suggest any beneficial effect. I also found the following statement in a clinical study (Urinary tract infection and subclinical bacteriuria in cats: A clinical update - Roswitha Dorsch, Svenja Teichmann-Knorrn, Heidi Sjetne Lund, 2019 (sagepub.com):
"Screening selected populations for bacteriuria, such as cats with diabetes mellitus or hyperthyroidism, without clinical signs of UTI is questionable, as no evidence demonstrating a beneficial effect of routine treatment in culture-positive cats exists."

Still, I would like to actually hear this from my vet!!

 

[BlackCatOp]

Can you give any insight on why some sites call it pathogenic (therefore requiring treatment) and others calling it nonpathogenic?

My only guess is it’s different doctors method of handling the treatment and maybe advancement of knowledge? There’s a thought that urine should be sterile but I think we are realizing how much other microbes play in our and our animals’ health.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Can you give any insight on why some sites call it pathogenic (therefore requiring treatment) and others calling it nonpathogenic?

This could clear it up, perhaps . It sounds confusing, until you actually click on and read the data associated with the underlined reference below. I need some more time to digest it (that is, read it a few more times)...
"The main difference between pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacteria is that the pathogenic bacteria can cause diseases while the nonpathogenic bacteria are harmless. Moreover, pathogenic bacteria possess several genes that endow the capacity to cause diseases while nonpathogenic bacteria lack such genes. Another difference between pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacteria is that the pathogenic bacteria invades the cells of the body while nonpathogenic bacteria live outside the body cells.

Pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacteria are the two main types of bacteria other organisms are in contact with. The distinction between the two can be made based on the Koch’s Postulates. However, some pathogenic bacteria may be present in normal individuals without causing a disease. Moreover, nonpathogenic bacteria may also cause diseases, becoming opportunistic pathogens in an immune-compromised host."

 

[BlackCatOp]

Still, I would like to actually hear this from my vet!!

ABSOLUTELY!!

 

[Xena44]

This could clear it up, perhaps . It sounds confusing, until you actually click on and read the data associated with the underlined reference below. I need some more time to digest it (that is, read it a few more times)...
"The main difference between pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacteria is that the pathogenic bacteria can cause diseases while the nonpathogenic bacteria are harmless. Moreover, pathogenic bacteria possess several genes that endow the capacity to cause diseases while nonpathogenic bacteria lack such genes. Another difference between pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacteria is that the pathogenic bacteria invades the cells of the body while nonpathogenic bacteria live outside the body cells.

Pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacteria are the two main types of bacteria other organisms are in contact with. The distinction between the two can be made based on the Koch’s Postulates. However, some pathogenic bacteria may be present in normal individuals without causing a disease. Moreover, nonpathogenic bacteria may also cause diseases, becoming opportunistic pathogens in an immune-compromised host."

Oh, I get that. I’m just wondering how it is classified differently by different specialists. Thanks for that info tho. but I also noted that in the link you previously posted, lactobacillus was noted as a pathogen in table 1.

 

[Xena44]

My only guess is it’s different doctors method of handling the treatment and maybe advancement of knowledge? There’s a thought that urine should be sterile but I think we are realizing how much other microbes play in our and our animals’ health.

My initial thought was also that urine should be sterile but yes, the field of symbiotic bacteria does seem relatively young. Thanks!

 

[Xena44]

Yes, I have been doing more research and am reading the same thing - for cats as well. Asymptomatic - or, for animals, subclinical - bacteriuria is often not treated because there is no evidence to suggest any beneficial effect. I also found the following statement in a clinical study (Urinary tract infection and subclinical bacteriuria in cats: A clinical update - Roswitha Dorsch, Svenja Teichmann-Knorrn, Heidi Sjetne Lund, 2019 (sagepub.com):
"Screening selected populations for bacteriuria, such as cats with diabetes mellitus or hyperthyroidism, without clinical signs of UTI is questionable, as no evidence demonstrating a beneficial effect of routine treatment in culture-positive cats exists."

Still, I would like to actually hear this from my vet!!

Totally agreed!

 

[FeebysOwner]

UPDATE:
Well, for as much as you can call it an update.

After more prodding by me, the back-up vet called the lab and confirmed what was pretty much discussed in the above posts: Harmless bacteria in urine with no treatment/action necessary.

Sad to say whatever is going on with my vet, it would appear it is not likely that he will back in the office before August.

Thank all of you who showed an interest!