Urine Samples
Getting a good sample for analysis is important to get accurate results from urine tests. For more information about the range of urine testing we offer at PAH follow the link.
Urine collected at home
If we have asked you to collect some urine at home there are some things that will help getting a really good sample. A sample over 0.5 ml is possible to analyse but preferably collect at least 2-3 ml of urine.
Female dog urine samples
Getting an at-home urine sample from a female dog can be tricky. The small urine pot we supply can be hard to place.
- If yours is a long haired dog try to clean and dry the vulva area before collecting the sample to avoid too much external contamination.
- Often a small pot with a handle is good for collection. We use a kidney dish. Wait until they have squatted and started to urinate then slip the container under the stream for a few seconds.
- From there tip the urine into a sterile urine collection container or clean dry container.
Male Dog collection
- As your dog cocks it’s leg, place a pot or plastic container under the stream to collect the sample.
- Once collected, tip the urine into a sterile urine collection pot or clean dry container.
Cats urine sample
- Some cats will tolerate you putting a collection jar under when they go to the litter tray. (Good luck)
- Some cats will go in a litter tray that has no litter. Please wash, rinse then dry the tray before use, then collect the sample as quickly as possible. Either tip the sample into the collection pot or clean container, or collect using a syringe we can supply.
- Some cats will want to push something around the tray. There are commercial packets called catrine we can supply, but we often supply recycled plastic pieces from our syringe caps which also work well. Clean the tray as above then tip or syringe the sample.
- If your cat urinates on a hard surface you can use a sterile syringe to suck it up for analysis.
Urine sample care
Once you have collected a sample to be analysed at Pittwater Animal Hospital please place it in the fridge and keep it cold until it can be delivered to the vet.
When you arrive at the vet please get the receptionist to take the sample as soon as possible so it can be refrigerated or analysed promptly.
Samples from the night before are not ideal, but as urine collection can often be difficult we will accept whatever you can deliver. Please tell our staff when and how the urine sample was collected when you arrive.
Urine collected at the vet
We can often collect a sample while your pet is at the vet. A free catch sample collected at the vet will be slightly more helpful as we can analyse it before there are any changes with time and temperature.
Some cats will need to stay for the day so they can urinate in a cleaned, prepared litter tray.
Cystocentesis
The best urine sample for analysis and especially bacterial culture is a cystocentesis. This is a veterinary procedure where a needle is inserted directly into the bladder to collect the sample. A cysto sample will have no contamination problems making analysis more accurate.
Our skilled veterinarians can collect a cysto sample in the majority of animals, but they need to have a relaxed patient with a moderately full bladder.
If you have been asked to bring your pet in for a cystocentesis please try to make sure your animal does not urinate for a long period before the procedure. Sometimes your pet may need to stay in a cage at the vet as the bladder fills up. This highly skilled procedure can be quite difficult and needs patience for collection.
If the cystocentesis is proving to be difficult we may either elect to use a voided sample or decide to sedate your pet to collect the sample.
Urine Testing is a very valuable diagnostic tool. The frustrations of collecting urine are usually worth the effort needed to obtain a sample.
Make an Appointment with the Vet
or call us on 9913 7979
