Urinalysis
Urinalysis
Who Should Be Tested
Any pet showing symptoms of a urinary tract infection, overweight pets, pets known to have diabetes or kidney disease.
What Kind of Sample We Need
A small amount of fresh urine; about a teaspoon. The fresher the sample, the more accurate some parts of the test will be; ideally, we'd like to test immediately after your pet urinates. If you can't bring your sample in right away, refrigerate it (but don't freeze it!). A sample taken the day before will, generally, not be useful to us. The sample should contain urine only, collected in a clean container from a clean surface or by catching your pet's urine mid-stream. Samples containing litter, yard debris, or feces cannot be used.
If you can't get a sample from your pet at home, we may be able to collect a sample in the office by cystocentesis - a simple procedure where we extract urine directly from the bladder with a thin needle. It is no more painful to your pet than a blood draw or injection, and allows us to get a sterile sample.
We can also provide you with non-absorbent, sterile beads to put in your cat's box in place of litter, to allow you to collect an uncontaminated sample.
Getting a urine sample can be tricky - if you have questions or need help, call us: 215-348-1037
What We Are Looking For
We can see signs of infection in urine such as bacteria, blood, or cells shed by an irritated bladder. Chemicals present in the urine, as well as how concentrated or dilute it is, can tell us about the functioning of your pet's kidneys, and kidney changes may show up in the urine before they show up in the blood. Sugar or chemicals called ketones in the urine can indicate diabetes - which is why we may suggest urinalysis for overweight pets. Your pet's urine may also contain crystals - these can form when the pH of your pet's urine is abnormal due to diet, infection, or genetic predisposition.
Why This Test Is Important
Urinary tract infections are very uncomfortable. If crystals accumulate in the bladder, they can cause irritation, lead to blockage of the urethra in male cats (a potentially fatal condition), or form into bladder or kidney stones in dogs or cats of either sex. Diagnosing diabetes or kidney disease early can mean an improved quality of life for your pet, and both diseases should be monitored while treatment is ongoing.
How Often We Should Test
Any time there's a change in your pet's urination. Otherwise, the doctor will make individual recommendations based on your pet's overall health, weight, and age.
