Urine collection Flashcards
Why is urine sample and collection so important
Sample MUST be collected and stored properly
* Can lead to an incorrect diagnosis/treatment or a condition can be missed completely
When collecting a sample, you want to avoid:
- Injury to the urinary tract system
- Injury to the reproductive system
- Inadvertent introduction of an infection
Goal of urine collection
- Obtain a urine sample, which when tested, will produce results that reflect its characteristics in the animal
- You want to make sure to collect enough urine to run all the possible tests required
- ~ 5 mls for small animals
- ~ 10 mls for large animals
What is Important when collecting for culture
Make sure it is collected using aseptic technique and put in a sterile container
What is the best practice to keep aseptic technique when taking urine
- Collect your sample –> Aseptically transfer a small amount (~ 1 cc) to a sterile container (red- top tube or transport media tube) to be saved in case of culture –> Run other tests on rest of sample
Containers for urine collection
Can be disposable or reusable
* If storage is required a tight fitting lid is essential
* Must be dry and free of chemical residue
* Transparent containers help with the physical exam of the urine but are not essential
Micturition is
Free catch/voided/midstream
What are the sample collection methods
- Natural micturition (free catch)
- Manual expression
- Cystocentesis
- Catheterization
* Each has its advantages and disadvantages
* Regardless of which method is used you must make note of it in the record and remember what implications it will have on results
What is micturition
This is collecting a urine sample as the patient voids it
* Morning sample is preferred
* Midstream free catch is ideal
* Cannot be used for samples that need to be cultured but is fine for routine urinalysis
* Bacteria not necessarily from the bladder
Advantages of micturition
No known risks
o Clients can collect it
o Provides information on urethra
Disadvantages of micturition
Sample is likely to be contaminated with flora from urethra, prostate and seminal glands, vagina, vulva, prepuce
o You may see increased epithelial cells, mucus content, bacteria, and other debris
Cells should not be clumped in a normal sample
o Doesn’t always occur when needed
Procedure when collecting urine via micturition
- When performing in clinic clean external genitalia first
- Try to avoid the first portion of the sample, this will help remove some contaminants
- Place a clean dry container under the pet when it urinates
- Make sure to ask the owner if their pet has a pee command such as:
“Go pee”, “Do your business”, etc.
How to make sure owners bring proper free catch samples
Owners will often collect samples at home and then bring them in
* Make sure they bring them in in an appropriate container or send them home with one.
* Sample needs to be refrigerated if not
examined or dropped off at the clinic right away
* Nosorb (little plastic pellets) can be used in place of kitty litter to collect sample
Inappropriate free catch containers are
- Old pill vials
- Make up containers
- Vinegar jugs
- Tin cans, etc.
Manual expression is
- Using external pressure to cause the bladder to release urine
- Used in dogs and cats
- Only works if under anesthesia or had certain bladder pathology such as decreased nerve control of bladder
Advantages of manual expression
Low level of risk
Disadvantages of manual expression
- If care is not taken it can result in bladder or kidney damage
- Should never be used on patients with possible blockage of the urethra or fragile bladder walls
- May cause them to rupture
- Sample will contain flora from lower urinary tract (same as free catch)
- May result in trauma to bladder wall causing increased RBCs and epithelial cells that are artifacts
Procedure with manual expression
- Clean the external genitalia
- Patient can be standing or in lateral recumbency
- Palpate the bladder in the caudal abdomen
- Apply steady gentle pressure over a large area of the bladder to express urine
- Be patient it may take a few minutes for the sphincter muscles to relax
AVOID EXCESSIVE PRESSURE
Cystocentesis is
Using a sterile needle to remove urine directly from the bladder through the abdominal wall
* Relatively common
* Can be performed by DVM or RVT
* Gold standard is to use an ultrasound to assist in finding the bladder
* The bladder must be relatively full in order to perform with least risk
How to preform manual expression with LA
In large animals we can stimulate them to urinate by maintaining pressure on the bladder wall through rectal palpation or washing the perianal area
Advantages of cysto
Produces a sample upon demand
* Less likelihood of producing an iatrogenic infection compared to a catheterized sample
* Often better tolerated by patients
* Sterile sample
* Sedation is seldom required
Disadvantages of cysto
Almost always requires two or more people
* May see an increase in RBC’s and hemoglobin content on analysis
* If the animal has a urinary obstruction or is overextended it may cause the bladder to rupture or urine leak into the peritoneum
* Injury can occur if the bladder is too empty or the animal struggles (ultrasound guided)
* May have risk of bleeding (puncture of bladder vessel)
* Risk of iatrogenic infection if intestines are nicked
Contraindications of cysto
Patients with bleeding disorders
Potential pyometra
Pregnant
Obese
Overextended bladder
Empty bladder
Prostatic abscess
Suspected bladder cancer