Urine is an easily accessible biological fluid that can be obtained in large quantities in a non-invasive manner. Urinalysis is an examination of the normal and abnormal components of urine, which provides an initial assessment of the health of the kidneys and urinary system. Urinalysis includes assessment of biochemical parameters, physical characteristics, microscopic deposits and enzyme content. It is a simple, inexpensive and important preliminary diagnostic method commonly used in veterinary diagnosis. Urine test strips, automated and semi-automated urine analyzers can perform semi-quantitative analysis of urine to provide a wide range of biochemical information of urine to assess the health status of the animal.
Methods of Urine Collection
Commonly used urine collection methods in urinalysis include free capture (spontaneous voiding and manual bladder compression) catheterization and cystocentesis. Free capture is the collection of urine samples when the animal voluntarily urinates, catheterization is the acquisition of urine directly from the urethra, and cystocentesis is the extraction of urine from the bladder directly with sterile instruments. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, and researchers can choose the appropriate urine collection method according to the purpose of the study.
| Methods | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Free capture | Normal urination: no risk, can be collected by unskilled people. Manual compression: can be collected according to convenience. |
Sample may be contaminated. Manual compression may cause trauma to the bladder, and infected urine may enter the urogenital organs. |
| Catheterization | The bladder does not need to be distended. | Professional technicians are required to collect. May be contaminated with blood components, risk of trauma, congenital infection. Not for urethral obstruction. |
| Cystocentesis | Very low risk of iatrogenic and contaminant | Need professional technicians. Need to have enough urine in the bladder. Not for use in animals diagnosed with coagulopathy. If the abdomen of the bladder is torn, it may be contaminated with urine. |
Urinalysis involves assessing the appearance, measuring the concentration of the urine, measuring the pH, and examining cells and solids. Most urinalysis is performed on whole urine, but cells and solids require centrifugation of the urine sample in a test tube to settle the cells and solids, which are then collected and spread on a slide for examination using a microscope.
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Reference
- Yadav, S. N., et al. "Urinalysis in dog and cat: A review." Veterinary World 13.10 (2020): 2133.
