Urinalysis 1/2 Flashcards
Define urinalysis.
Urinalysis = analysis of urine by physical, chemical or microscopic means to aid in diagnosis and management of underlying disease.
What are the collection methods for urine?
Free catch
Catheter
Cystocentesis
How should a sample be stored before urinalysis?
At least 5mls into a sterile universal container
Store in fridge but allow to return to room temp. before urinalysis
Do not leave in direct sunlight (false bilirubin result)
What should you record about the appearance of a sample?
Turbidity
Any odour
Colour (pinky = haematuria/haemoglobinuria, purple/dark = myoglobinuria, orange = bilirubinuria)
What do we use to measure specific gravity?
Refractometer.
Define hypersthenuria.
Concentrated urine (dogs > 1.025, cats > 1.030)
Urine of healthy, normally hydrated animals
Define isosthenuria.
Urine neither concentrated or diluted (1.007-1.012)
Warrants further investigation
Define hyposthenuria.
Urine is more diluted than plasma (< 1.007)
Warrants further investigation
What can we measure using a dipstick?
pH, protein, glucose, ketones, bilirubin, blood
What values indicate proteinuria?
> 0.5 (dogs), > 0.4 (cats)
What are the causes of glycosuria?
Persistent hyperglycaemia (diabetes mellitus)
Transient hyperglycaemia (stress, drugs, IV fluids, convulsions)
Renal tubular disorders
False positives (bleach, hydrogen peroxide, unsuitable container)
What are the causes of ketonuria?
Diabetes mellitus in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), starvation, ketosis.
How much bilirubin can be present in an animal’s urine?
Trace to + normal in healthy dogs (if concentrated urine)
No bilirubin present in urine of other healthy animals - any positive is relevant
Light can break down bilirubin - false negatives!
