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Urinalysis: overview
Overview
- Basic urinalysis is a quick procedure that can be performed in practice.
- It provides information regarding the function of the urinary system as well as other organ systems.
- Test dipsticks work well to evaluate blood, glucose, ketone and pH levels only in rabbit urine.
Uses
Alone
- Upper and lower urinary tract infection Cystitis .
- Urolithiasis Urolithiasis .
- Renal insufficiency Kidney: disease .
- Polyuria/polydipsia Polydipsia/polyuria .
In combination
- With hematology Hematology and biochemistry Blood biochemistry: overview .
- With serum creatinine Blood biochemistry: creatinine test to assess renal function.
- With ultrasonography Bladder: ultrasonographic examination and radiography Radiography: abdomen to assess for cystoliths Urolithiasis or nephroliths Kidney: nephrolithiasis / ureterolithiasis .
- With contrast study to assess for neoplasia/space occupying lesion.
Sampling
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Tests
Methodologies
Physical appearance
- Color.
- Turbidity.
Chemical analsysis
- Warm refrigerated sample to room temperature.
- Centrifuge at 500-3000 rpm for 5 min.
- Determine specific gravity Urinalysis: specific gravity on the supernatant by refractometer
. Test dipstick specific gravity is not accurate. - Perform multitest dipstick analysis Urinalysis: dipstick analysis on the supernatant.
- Pipette urine onto pads.
- Hold horizontally to avoid run-off between pads.
- Read test at correct interval.
Microscopic examination
- Centrifuge.
- Decant supernatant.
EITHERadd 1 drop of sedistain or a supravital stain such as Sternheimer-Malbin to the sediment.
ORleave 0.5 ml urine in centrifuge tube.
- Re-suspend sediment by tapping the centrifuge tube.
- Transfer one drop of sediment to a microscope slide and place a coverslip over it.
- Lower the condenser on the microscope to improve contrast.
- Systematically examine the slide under a low power objective, assessing quantity and type of sediment.
- Examine sediment under the high power objective to assess cell morphology and to detect bacteria, crystals and cells within the sample.
Availability
- All veterinary practices.
- External laboratories.
Result Data
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Jenkins J R (2010) Evaluation of the rabbit urinary tract. J Exotic Pet Med 19 (4), 271-279 VetMedResource.
- Jenkins J R (2008) Rabbit diagnostic testing. J Exotic Pet Med 17 (1), 4-15 JExoticPetMed.
- Melillo A (2007) Rabbit clinical pathology. J Exotic Pet Med 16 (3), 135-145 VetMedResource.
- Paul-Murphy J (2007) Critical care of the rabbit. Vet Clin Exotic Anim Pract 10 (2), 437-461 PubMed.
- Cray C & Zaias J (2004) Laboratory procedures. Vet Clin Exotic Anim Pract 7 (2), 487-518 PubMed.
Other sources of information
- Varga M (2014) Textbook of Rabbit Medicine. 2nd edn. Butterworth Heinemann Elsevier, UK.
- Ariaca M et al (2013) Urinary Calcium Excretion and Urine Turbidity does not Affect the Urine Specific Gravity Readings by Refractometry in Rabbits.In: Proc 1st Int Conf Avian, Herpetol & Exotic Mammal Med. Wiesbaden. pp 456-458.
- Klaphake E & Paul-Murphy J (2012) Disorders of the Reproductive and Urinary Systems. In: Ferrets, Rabbits & Rodents Clinical Medicine & Surgery. 3rd edn. Eds: Quesenberry K E & Carpenter J W. Elsevier Saunders, USA.
- Oglesbee B L (2011) Blackwells Five-Minute Veterinary Consult: Small Mammal. 2nd edn. Wiley-Blackwell, USA.
- Jenkins J R (2006) Clinical Pathology. In: BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Medicine & Surgery. 2nd edn. Eds: Meredith A & Flecknell P. BSAVA, UK.
- Saunders R A & Rees Davies R (2005) Eds. Notes on Rabbit Internal Medicine. Blackwell Publishing, UK.
Organisation(s)
- Mary Pinborough, Pinmoore Animal Laboratory Services Ltd, The Coach House, Town House Barn, Clotton, Cheshire CW6 0EG, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1829 781855; Email: sales@palsvetlab.co.uk; Website: www.palsvetlab.co.uk.