A urinalysis (ie, an analysis of the urine) evaluates the physical and chemical composition of the urine of cats and dogs.  It can provide important diagnostic information about conditions of the urinary and genital tracts in pets, as well as about a number of systemic diseases such as diabetes, liver disease, Cushing’s disease, etc.  The urinalysis is an important part of the diagnostic evaluation for many diseases and is also an integral part of a thorough preventive medicine program for cats and dogs.

Urine samples can be collected from dogs and cats by several methods.  If your veterinarian asks you to bring in a urine sample, you should “catch” the urine midstream in a clean, dry container.  This can be a little more difficult in female pets than in male pets.  One method that is usually successful is to slide a small, disposable foil pie plate between the rear legs (from behind) when the pet squats to urinate.  This type of a urine sample can be used for a routine urinalysis, but it cannot be used for a urine culture because it is not sterile.

If a sterile urine sample is needed for culture, your veterinarian will collect a sample either by inserting a urinary catheter up the urethra and into the bladder, or by performing a procedure called cystocentesis, in which urine is collected directly from the bladder by inserting a sterile needle through the abdominal wall.

Several procedures are performed in a urinalysis:

• The color and cloudiness of the urine are evaluated.
• The specific gravity of the urine is measured. The specific gravity is an indication of the ability of the kidneys to concentrate the urine.
• The urine pH is measured.
• Chemical or molecular components of the urine are identified.  For example, if the urine contains glucose (or sugar), your pet may have diabetes.
• The sample is centrifuged to collect the urinary sediment, which is then examined under the microscope. The sediment may contain cells (eg, red blood cells), bacteria or other harmful organisms, or crystals, all of which provide diagnostic information about various conditions.

Urinalysis results can be used to guide treatment decisions, and in some cases, can indicate the need for more specialized diagnostic tests (such as a culture and sensitivity tests).

Q&A

What’s involved in a urinalysis?

A urinalysis involves evaluation of the physical and chemical composition of the urine.  This includes evaluation of the character (eg, color, cloudiness), density, and acidity of the urine; as well as its chemical, molecular, and cellular components. 

What diseases can this diagnose?

A urinalysis can aid in the diagnosis of urinary or genital infection, as well as disorders such as diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, and Cushing’s disease. 

What’s the best way to collect a urine sample?

The easiest way to collect a sample at home is to catch a midstream sample in a clean disposable pie tin, then transfer this to a clean, dry container with a cap.  If a sterile sample is needed for culture, your vet will collect it by inserting a urinary catheter or by drawing urine directly from the bladder with a needle and syringe.