Pyelonephritis in cats and dogs - a scoping review

Background There is a lack of consensus regarding diagnosis and treatment of bacterial pyelonephritis (PN) in dogs and cats. The aim of this scoping review was to increase knowledge by describing published scientific literature on the subject, specifically to collate definitions and diagnostic criteria, antimicrobial regimens, reported outcomes and to identify knowledge gaps. Methods A structured search was performed of the bibliographic databases Biosis, CAB Abstracts, Medline, Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus. One hundred and seventy-six original studies written in English or German that reported on any aspect of spontaneous PN (risk factors, signalment, history, clinical findings, diagnostic criteria, treatment, prognosis, and outcome) in cats or dogs were included. Results Three types of PN could be discerned in the literature; histologically diagnosed PN, clinically diagnosed PN and pyonephrosis. Multiple information gaps regarding clinical aspects of PN in dogs and cats were detected. There were no universally accepted clinical criteria for clinical diagnosis of PN and no clinical trials evaluating antimicrobial or other treatment options. Information about short-term outcome for dogs and cats with PN was scarce, and there were no data regarding long-term outcomes. Conclusion More information regarding all aspects of clinical PN in dogs and cats is needed.