Urine collection/Urinalysis

Question 1

What are the pros and cons of free catch?

Answer 1

• easy sample
• owners can perform at home
• excellent option if you are just needing to evaluate the urine for something like glucose
• If you are worried about the presence of bacteria, other techniques would be better.
• may scare some dogs
• can be triiky in cats
  
  • specailized products for litterbox
  • some cats refuse to use them.

Question 2

How should owners store urine samples?

Answer 2

• Place in sealed container
  
  • better to place container in a ziplock as well
• Store in refridgerator until drop off
  
  • ASAP
  • ideally <24 hours

Question 3

What is cystocentesis?

Answer 3

• Most commonly performed technique to obtain a urine sample in small animal veterinary medicine
• Urine is removed from teh urinary bladder using a needle and syringe
• Allows for collection of a clean urine sample for evaluation and/or culture if indicated
• Can be performed blind or by using ultrasound guidance

Question 4

What is blind cystocentess in canines?

Answer 4

• Patient is placed in dorsal (on the back) recumbency
• Ideally placed in a trough for improved comfort
• 2 techniques:
  
  • Alcohol pooling method
    
    • apply alcohol on the ventrum
    • place needle where the alcohol pools
  • X marks the spot method
    
    • Using caudal 2 pairs of nipples draw an x between them
    • insert needle at the intersection
    • more cranial than the alcohol pooling
• Insert the needle perpendicular to the skin
• NEVER move the needle in the patient
  
  • if miss, withdraw and try again
  • If the patient moves, immediately withdraw needle