Testing & Diagnostics

Urinalysis

Laboratory examination of urine measuring concentration, pH, protein, glucose, blood, and cellular contents. Essential for detecting urinary tract disease, kidney dysfunction, and diabetes.

Urinalysis is the laboratory examination of urine, providing information about kidney concentrating ability, urinary tract integrity, and systemic metabolic conditions. It is an essential component of preventive health screening and the primary tool for monitoring renal health.

Components of a Complete Urinalysis

Physical Properties

  • Color and clarity: dilute urine is pale yellow; concentrated is dark amber. Turbidity suggests cellular debris, bacteria, or crystals.
  • Specific gravity (USG): measures urine concentration. Normal dogs: 1.015–1.045. Consistently low USG (<1.015) suggests renal insufficiency or endocrine disease.

Chemical Analysis (Dipstick)

  • Protein: trace protein is normal; persistent proteinuria indicates renal tubular or glomerular disease.
  • Glucose: not present in normal urine; glucosuria indicates blood glucose above renal threshold (diabetes) or primary tubular disorder.
  • Ketones: present in diabetic ketoacidosis.
  • Blood (heme): may indicate hemorrhage, hemolysis, or myoglobinuria.
  • pH: varies with diet and metabolic state; not highly clinically significant in isolation.
  • Bilirubin: mildly elevated in normal male dogs; elevated in females suggests liver disease or hemolysis.

Microscopic Sediment

  • Red blood cells: >5/hpf indicates hemorrhage (UTI, bladder mass, trauma, stones)
  • White blood cells: elevated in urinary tract infection or pyelonephritis
  • Bacteria: visible bacteria with concurrent pyuria = active infection
  • Casts: cylindrical structures formed in renal tubules; indicate renal disease when present
  • Crystals: struvite, calcium oxalate, urate — may indicate stone-forming risk

Protein:Creatinine Ratio (UPC)

When dipstick protein is elevated, the urine protein:creatinine ratio (UPC) quantifies the degree of proteinuria. UPC >0.5 in dogs warrants investigation; UPC >1.0 indicates significant renal protein loss. This is the key monitoring test for breeds at risk for protein-losing nephropathy (Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Bernese Mountain Dog).