Urinalysis and Faecal Testing

Question 1

Urinalysis

Answer 1

• A routine lab test
• Can assess kidney and urinary function (e.g metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus)
• Can detect illegal drugs, urinary crystals and bacterial infections

Question 2

Collection Method: Free Catch Mid Stream

Answer 2

• Involves catching a sample with naturally voided urine in a sterile kidney dish

Question 3

Collection Method: Cystocentesis

Answer 3

• Using a sterile needle and syringe, urine is collected from the bladder via the abdominal wall
• Can be done by manually palpating bladder or with ultrasound guidance

Question 4

Collection Method: Catheterisation

Answer 4

• A sterile catheter is passed up the urethra into the bladder. A sterile syringe is attached to the catheter and urine is aspirated
• Can cause mild irritation to the urethra and can introduce bacteria into the bladder
• Must follow strict aseptic technique
• Less invasive than cystocentesis

Question 5

Collection Method: Manual Expression

Answer 5

• Where the bladder is manually palpated
• Use a sterile container
• Usually best choice for suspected coagulopathy

Question 6

Urine Specific Gravity (USG)

Answer 6

• Usually correlates with urine osmolality

- Indicates hydration status and concentrating ability of kidneys

Question 7

Dipstick Analysis

Answer 7

• A screening test for some and definitive test for others
• Can detect microscopic haematuria, proteinuria or UTI
• Must be stored correctly and in date when used
• Should be used along side microscope and clinical parameters

Question 8

Sediment Analysis

Answer 8

• Cells, casts, crystals, lipids and spermatozoa can be identified
• Methelene blue stain can be used to aid in cell ID but may dilute specimen and introduce artefacts (e.g crystals and stain precipitate)
• Some tests require air dried and stained smears

Question 9

Sediment Analysis Method (MSD Veterinary Manual)

Answer 9

1: Use 3-5ml of urine in a conical centrifuge tube
2: Centrifuge at 1,000 to 1,500 rpm for 3 to 5 mins
3: Decant supernatant, leaving ~0.5ml urine/sediment
4: Resuspend by tapping against table
5: Put a few drops on a slide with a cover slip
6: Examine at 40x (crystals/cells/casts) and 100x (bacteria)
7: Contrast of the sample can be enhanced by closing the iris diaphragm and lowering condenser of the microscope

Question 10

Faecal Testing: Parvovirus

Answer 10

• Parvovirus is extremely contagious and life threatening
• Ideal to get a voided sample but can use a rectal sample if needed
• Usual first test incase of a positive

Question 11

Faecal Testing: Faecal Float

Answer 11

• Assesses parasites including hookworm, coccidia, roundworm and tapeworm