Things You'll Need
- Dry, clean container
- Cooler
Instructions
Collect a urine sample from your dog. Use a clean, dry container to collect the sample such as a plastic bowl. Cover the container with a lid, foil or plastic wrap.
Take the urine sample to your veterinarian immediately. If this cannot be done immediately, refrigerate the sample. According to Pet Education, urine samples sitting at room temperature longer than two hours start to undergo significant changes that may affect the results of a urinalysis. Do not freeze the sample.
If the temperature is warm outside, put the sample in a cooler during the drive to the veterinarian.
Give the sample to your veterinarian, who can perform a urinalysis. A urinalysis consists of the following steps: a) checking the color, cloudiness and concentration of the urine, b) doing a chemical analysis of the urine and c) examining a small portion of the sample under a microscope. There are some medications that could interfere with the results of a urinalysis, so let your veterinarian know about any medications your dog is taking.
If a sterile urine sample is needed, your veterinarian may recommend you bring your dog into the clinic to undergo a cystocentesis. This procedure involves using a small needle placed directly into the bladder. Your veterinarian may also choose to use a urinary catheter to obtain a sample.