Urinalysis

Urine tells us a lot about your dog’s health. Our veterinarians evaluate urine for possible signs of infections (bladder or kidney), diabetes, kidney disease, possible toxin ingestion and even bladder stones. It is a relatively easy sample to obtain and the results can be minutes away because of our in-house laboratory.

How do I collect urine from my dog?

Collecting a urine sample at home can be tricky. We recommend taking your dog outside on a leash and using a clean plastic container. When your dog starts to urinate put the container under your pet as quickly as possible. This method of collecting urine is called a “free catch sample”. The first-morning sample is best as this sample will be most concentrated and representative of your concern. A clean container is also important to prevent contamination of the sample. Once urine is collected the sample should be brought into the clinic as soon as possible or it should be kept in the fridge until it can be brought in for evaluation. Old urine samples (over 6 hours) or improperly stored urine samples are not good for evaluation as the urine will change with time. Please note that “free catch samples” are not ideal for urine culturing which determines what bacteria is causing the infection. In this case, a urine sample may need to be collected by your veterinarian in a sterile manner. If you cannot collect a sample yourself at home because your pet will not cooperate at home or the urine sample needs to be cultured, then we recommend bringing your dog to Lomsnes Veterinary Hospital as there are other methods of urine collection that can be performed by our veterinarians.

If my dog’s urine test reveals a urinary tract infection, what can I do?

If your dog is diagnosed with a urinary tract infection (bladder infection) an antibiotic will be prescribed by our veterinarians. If your dog is showing other signs of discomfort, an anti-inflammatory will be prescribed to help make them more comfortable. Once the course of antibiotics is complete the urine will need to be tested again to verify the infection is cleared. It is important to ensure the infection is gone as antibiotic resistance can occur making the infection harder to cure.