A urinalysis in dogs is a diagnostic test that measures certain components of the urine. It is an important part of diagnosing and monitoring various diseases and conditions in dogs. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what a urinalysis is, why it’s important for dog owners to understand, and how it can help diagnose and monitor your pup’s health.
What is a Urinalysis?
A urinalysis in dogs (UA) is a test used to measure components within the urine. The purpose of the test is to provide information about the function and information of the kidneys, bladder, and other organs.
A urinalysis in dogs is usually made up of three test components:
1. Dipstick analysis - Evaluates the urine for physical and chemical properties such as colour, odour, pH balance, glucose, bilirubin, ketones and proteins.
2. Sediment examination - Examines the presence of red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), bacteria or atypical cells
3. Urinary specific gravity (USG) - This test measures the concentration of the urine which can help determine if there is an issue with the body's ability to concentrate urine and assess for urine dilution.
Other, more specialized urine tests that your veterinarian may discuss are the Urine Protein Creatinine ratio (UPC) and the Urine Cortisol Creatinine ration (UCC). These tests are used to evaluate for chronic kidney disease and adrenal gland diseases (i.e. Cushings disease), respectively.
Why Should I Get My Dog Tested?
Urinalysis in dogs can provide important information about your pet’s health. It helps to diagnose and monitor a variety of diseases and conditions such as urinary tract infections, diabetes, kidney and liver disease and urinary crystals.
If you are concerned about any changes in your dog's urinary habits, such as increased urination in terms of frequency or amount, blood in urine, or urinating in the house for example; a urinalysis can provide important clues regarding the cause of these changes.
We recommend that diabetic patients have their urine tested frequently as a urinalysis can detect ketones, which is a common sign of diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a serious complication of diabetes.
How is a Urinalysis Performed?
A urinalysis in dogs requires obtaining a fresh urine sample. This can be done in one of three ways: free-flow urine collection, via cystocentesis (direct extraction from the bladder), or via a urinary catheter.
The sample must then be analyzed by your veterinarian within a few hours and it is recommended to refrigerate the sample if you cannot bring the sample to your veterinarian immediately. Depending on the results of the urinalysis, your veterinarian may determine if further testing is necessary.
FAQs
What diseases can a urinalysis in dogs detect?
A urinalysis in dogs can help diagnose and monitor a variety of diseases and conditions such as urinary tract infections, diabetes, kidney and liver diseases, and urinary crystals. By expanding on the urinalysis in dogs, your veterinarian can run a Urine Cortisol Creatinine ratio test to evaluate for Cushing's disease.
What does it mean if your dog has high protein in urine?
High levels of protein in the urine are a sign that your dog may have kidney disease. If high levels of protein are found on urinalysis, further testing will be necessary to determine the underlying cause and provide an appropriate treatment plan.
Can a urine test detect kidney failure in dogs?
Yes, urinalysis in dogs can be used to detect kidney failure and renal insufficiency. The kidneys are responsible for reabsorbing water back into the body. When there is kidney failure, the kidney's ability to reabsorb water is lost and therefore the urinary specific gravity value in the urinalysis test will be low.
Does urine need to be collected in a special container?
No, any clean and dry container will work such as a margarine or small Tupperware container. If your veterinarian requires a sterile urine sample, they will collect the sample via cystocentesis or by using a urinary catheter.
In conclusion, urinalysis in dogs is a simple, yet important test that can be used to help diagnose a variety of diseases and conditions. By understanding the components of a urinalysis and why it is important to get your dog tested, you can be proactive about your pet's health. If you are concerned about any changes in your dog's urinary habits, please speak with your veterinarian. They may recommend a urinalysis to help identify the cause of these changes.