• Collection of an uncontaminated urine sample in patients.

Uses

• Urinalysis/urine culture Urinalysis: culture and sensitivity - for the diagnosis of urinary tract disorders.
• Urine sample collection during bladder ultrasound examination Ultrasonography: bladder and urinary tract.
• Immediate relief of pressure in bladder in an animal with urethral obstruction Urethra: obstruction that cannot be relieved by catheterization.

Advantages

• Decreased risk of complications compared to blind technique.
• In most animals can be performed without the need of general anesthesia.

Disadvantages

• Requires co-operative patient (or sedation Sedation or sedative protocol).
• Cannot be performed if bladder completely empty and should not be performed in patients with suspected bladder transitional cell carcinoma Bladder: neoplasia (due to risk of seeding tumor along needle track).
•  Emphysematous cystitis Cystitis: bacterial may make technique difficult due to reverberation artifacts preventing visualization of the needle tip.

Alternative techniques

• Blind technique Cystocentesis: not recommended when bladder cannot be palpated.
• Manual expression of the bladder: interpretation of culture and sensitivity on a manually expressed or free-flow sample Urine collection: freeflow is likely to be complicated by contaminants.
• Urinary catheterization Urethra: catheterization: risk of iatrogenic urinary tract infection.

Time required

Preparation

• 5 min.

Procedure

• 5 min.

Decision taking

Criteria for choosing test

• Urinary tract disease requiring an accurate culture and sensitivity result.
• Bladder distension that cannot be relieved by catheterization.