18.3.4: Urinalysis and azotaemia recap

Question 1

What does urinary specific gravity tell us?

Answer 1

Indicates the kidney’s ability to concentrate or dilute urine.
* USG is variable depending on fluid and electrolyte balance, and context.
* Normally at least 1.015, but this is dependent on hydration status.

Question 2

What USG would you expect a dehydrated animal to have? What descriptive term would you use for this?

Answer 2

• Expected USG = >1.025-1.040 (depending on species).
• This is normal and good kidney function -> the kidneys are doing their job :)
• This urine is hypersthenuric = the urine is more concentrated than plasma.