Urinary tract infection associated with long-term corticosteroid administration in dogs with chronic skin diseases.

Urinary tract infections were documented in 28 (39%) of 71 dogs receiving long-term corticosteroid therapy for chronic skin diseases. There were no significant differences regarding alternate-day versus daily corticosteroid administration, corticosteroid dosage, or duration of therapy when data for the infected and noninfected groups were compared. A significantly (P less than 0.01 and P less than 0.005, respectively) greater frequency of bacteriuria was seen in female dogs and castrated male dogs receiving corticosteroid therapy. Urine sediment analysis alone was not an adequate means of detecting urinary tract infections in these dogs.