When should a urine test on a dog or cat be performed? What is the price? How can I obtain a sample?

This is one of the most commonly performed laboratory tests. In the standard urine test, about 10 parameters are assessed, most often color, pH, protein, glucose, erythrocytes, ketones, bilirubin, urobilinogen, specific gravity, and nitrites. In the general examination are included all previous parameters and sediment assessments, including erythrocytes, leukocytes, epithelium, bacteria, crystals, and urinary casts.
The test evaluates the urinary system (bladder and kidneys), but abnormalities in the results may also indicate diseases of other systems.

When should I do a urine test for a cat or dog?

A preventive urine test is advised to be done once a year and whenever the pet exhibits disturbing urinary system symptoms, such as:

• leaking urine
• dripping
• change in urine color: lighter, darker, or bloody urine (haematuria)
• foamy urine
• increased thirst (polydipsia)
• increased urine output (polyuria)
• increased frequency of urination
• belly licking in cats
• pain symptoms when urinating
• urination outside the litter box in cats
• chronic and acute renal failure
• previous urinary tract infections

And also if:

• diabetes is suspected, or the animal already has it
• urolithiasis is suspected
• liver disease occurs or suspicion of it
• metabolic diseases occurs or their suspicion
• hypertension or its suspicion

How to collect a urine sample from a cat or dog?

It's best to collect a midstream urine sample in the morning. Urine collection is a difficult activity, so if you do not collect a sample this way, you can do so at any time of day. Natural micturition samples, from a naturally urinating animal, are the least stressful for pets, but they are not appropriate for all analyses.During the visit to the veterinary facility, the sample should be obtained via cystocentesis to perform a bacteria culture from urine. Urine is drawn from the bladder with a syringe during a cystocentesis. Another method of collecting urine is catheterization, which causes considerable stress for the animal and also runs the risk of introducing bacteria into the bladder.

When it comes to cats, the urine should be passed into an empty, clean litter box. If this is not an option, you can use a special cat litter designed for this purpose, which does not absorb liquids and allows you to easily suck the urine out.

Despite the challenges (females frequently crouch low, making it difficult to place a cup to collect urine, and males frequently pee with small amounts of urine marking the area), the vast majority of owners collect a representative sample without medical intervention.

What kind of container should I use to collect a urine sample?

Urine should be collected in a urine container, which can be purchased at veterinary clinics or pharmacies. It should be between 5 and 10ml. When collecting a smaller sample, it is also worthwhile to deliver it to the hospital; the specialist will determine whether the amount is adequate.

What happens after I collect a urine sample?

Urine samples should be delivered to a laboratory or veterinary facility as soon as possible. The total time from collection of the urine sample to testing should not exceed 4 hours.

You should go to the veterinary facility after the laboratory delivers the results. Your veterinarian will discuss the findings and make any additional recommendations.