Cat Urine Analysis

Collecting Urine

• Often a veterinarian will ask for a sample of the cat's urine brought from home. To easily obtain this sample, replace the litter in the cat's litter box with a non-absorbent material such as Styrofoam packing peanuts or aquarium gravel. After the cat urinates in the litter box, pour the urine into a clean, dry container with a lid and store in the refrigerator until the veterinary appointment.

  Other times, a veterinarian might require an in-office urine sample or a sterile sample. These urine samples can be obtained through catheterization or cystocentesis. Catheterization is when a tube is inserted into the bladder through the urethra, and cystocentesis is when a needle is inserted directly into the bladder through the abdomen. Once the sample is collected, the urine sample will undergo physical, chemical and sediment analyses.

Physical Analysis

• During the physical analysis, the color, cloudiness and gravity are determined. Urine from a healthy cat is yellow/amber-colored and is clear to slightly cloudy. Blood in the urine can give it a brownish tinge and excess white blood cells can make the urine cloudy. The gravity measurement of the urine tells how well the kidneys are functioning and is obtained by placing a drop of urine into a refractometer.

Chemical Analysis

• Chemical analysis of cat urine is done by inserting a dipstick into the sample. Measurements that can be obtained include pH, protein, glucose, ketones, bilirubin, blood and nitrites. Levels that are outside of acceptable normal ranges can aid the veterinarian in diagnosing potential health concerns.

Sediment Analysis

• In order to analyze the urine's sediment, the sample is first centrifuged. The top layer of urine is discarded and the remaining layer of particles at the bottom is retained for testing. Using glass slides and stain, these particles are examined under a microscope and inspected for the presence of white blood cells, bacteria, crystals and casts.

Considerations

• While being a helpful diagnostic tool, a feline urine analysis is merely indicative of what is going on within the cat's body during a short period of time. Results can be influenced by medications and supplements, as well as the passage of time. A repeat urinalysis is capable of yielding very different results after a mere 24 hours.