Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes when your feline friend needs a urine test (also known as urinalysis)?
Why do we perform urinalysis?
This test is a critical component of a thorough health assessment for your kitty. It can detect a range of issues from urinary tract infections (UTIs) to diabetes, and even give insights into kidney health. Essentially, it's like a window into your cat's well-being, providing clues that might not be visible on the surface.
Collecting the Sample:
The most common techniques include:
- Free Catch: This is when you try to collect a sample while your cat is urinating. It sounds challenging, and frankly, it can be, especially with a cat's renowned privacy preferences.
- Litter Box Tricks: Special non-absorbent litter or plastic beads (see below) can be used in the litter box. After your cat does their business, you can easily collect the urine for testing.
- Cystocentesis: When needed, we can directly obtain a urine sample using a needle and a syringe, gently inserting it into the bladder through the abdomen. This method is quick, painless, and provides a very clean sample, minimising contamination, which is perfect when we need to perform bacterial culture.
The Analysis:
The urinalysis consists of four main parts:
Physical Examination: We check the urine's color and clarity. The appearance of urine can tell us a lot. For example, cloudy urine might indicate an infection, a pink or red tinge indicates possbile bleeding in the urinary tract from either the kidneys and/or bladder, bright yellow urine can indicate the presence of bile pigment due to a liver issue.
Urine Concentration: Urine specific gravity (USG) is a measure of the density of urine compared to the density of water, providing insight into the kidney's ability to concentrate or dilute urine. We use a refractometer, which uses light refraction to determine urine density. The normal range for USG in a healthy is typically >1.035 but this also depends on the amount of water in the diet.
Chemical Examination: Special test strips or machines analyze the chemical components of the urine. This can reveal the pH level (which can affect the formation of crystals or stones), glucose (sugar), proteins, and other substances that shouldn't be there in large amounts.
Microscopic Examination: We use a specialised machine that analyses a set amount of urine for cells, crystals, bacteria, or other structures called casts. This is a highly developed piece of exquipment using AI to help detect abnormalities.
Other tests:
Occasionally, we want to double-check that there are definitely no bacteria lurking in your cat's urinary tract. We can place your cat's urine sample on a culture plate straight away for incubation in the clinic. In 48 hrs we'll know if there are bacteria present and this plate can then be sent to the laboratory for bacterial identification and antibioitc sensitivity testing.
Interpreting the Results Of Urine Tests:
With our in-house testing capacities, can identify quickly what's normal and what's not, piecing together information to form a complete picture of your cat's urinary health. Sometimes, everything checks out just fine, which is great news! Other times, there might be signs of an infection, inflammation, or other conditions that need attention.
Depending on the findings, we may recommend further tests or start treatment right away. The good news is, with early detection, many issues can be managed or treated successfully, ensuring your cat stays healthy and happy.
In Conclusion:
Urinalysis is a powerful tool in maintaining your cat's health, and while it might seem a bit mysterious at first, it's all about gathering clues to keep your furry friend in top shape.
Remember, if we recommend a urinalysis, it's for a good reason. It's a simple test that can provide a lot of important information about your cat's well-being. So, next time our vet mentions it, you'll know exactly what's involved and why it's so beneficial for your beloved cat.