What is a Urinalysis?

Just a few teaspoons of urine are needed to help screen your pet for several health concerns. Diabetes, kidney disease and bladder infection are just a few.

There are several parts to a urinalysis. The urine needs to be chemically analyzed to check for sugar, protein, blood, acidity, etc. The specific gravity tells us how well your pet can concentrate urine, and avoid dehydration. Also, the cells in the urine must also be examined to check for infection, crystals and abnormal cells.

A urine sample can be collected at home in a clean dry container, or in a sterile container that you may pick-up at our office. The sample should be kept refrigerated and evaluated as soon as possible.

Sometimes a urine sample must be collected in a sterile manner. This is done at our office. Please do not let your pet urinate prior to coming when we need to collect urine!

Urine testing is needed for any pet that is urinating frequently, urinating larger amounts, drinking larger amounts, or has any other health concerns. It is a great health-screening test for healthy older animals too.