Obtaining a Pet Urine Sample from your Cat or Dog
Why Is A Urine Sample Important?
Obtaining a urine sample is important for your pet’s health for many reasons. It can help detect various disorders such as urinary tract infections, kidney disease, and diabetes. It also helps your vet evaluate the hydration status of your pet.
Why Do I Have To Bring A Sample In?
While it is convenient to submit a urine sample during your pet’s vet appointment, it’s not always possible despite our best efforts. Their bladder may be empty, or they may be too nervous to urinate at the clinic (you can imagine how scary it might be if a stranger followed you into the bathroom). Some dogs get a bit nervous with the urine cup/tray, so it is better to try to do this when they are comfortable in their own home/yard. If you do not think it is possible to get a urine sample at home, you can always schedule a tech appointment at a later date for us to try again. Just make sure your pet doesn’t pee before their appointment!
What Materials Do I Need?
For Dogs: Urine Collection Cup or an empty, CLEAN container (Tupperware container is fine) Tray to Catch Urine (for females that squat low to the ground) Approximately 1 tablespoon of urine For Cats: Nosorb Litter (plastic, non-absorbent litter supplied by the clinic) *SAVE THIS CONTAINER* Approximately 1 tablespoon of urine
How Do I Catch Urine On My Cat?
Dump out ALL litter in their litter box and make sure it is clean, or use a disposable box. Put the Nosorb litter into the clean, empty litter box and be sure to save the container that the Nosorb litter was in. Once your cat urinates in the litter box, tilt it so all of the urine falls into one corner. Transfer the urine (at least 1 tablespoon) into the container the Nosorb litter came in, and drop off at the clinic immediately. If you cannot bring the sample in right away, store it in the refrigerator. All samples need to be dropped off the day of collection.
How Do I Catch Urine On My Dog?
If your pet likes to pull or walk ahead of you, it is recommended to have someone else walk your dog while you collect the urine. Follow your dog closely, and when they start to urinate hold the cup or tray below the stream. For females, it is easier to use a flat tray that you can easily slide under them from behind when they are squatting. For males, it is easiest to catch the urine from the side. We only need a small amount, so you do not need to hold the cup/tray the entire length of the urination. If you are using a tray, pour at least 1 tablespoon of urine into the cup or clean container and drop off at the clinic immediately. If you cannot bring the sample in right away, store it in the refrigerator. All samples need to be dropped off the day of collection.