URINE AND PARASITE TESTING
Urinalysis
An examination of urine concentration, chemistry and microscopic sediment that complements bloodwork and helps investigate urinary and systemic disease.
THE SHORT VERSION
Testing helps answer a clinical question.
A urinalysis evaluates the physical, chemical and microscopic characteristics of urine. It can provide important information about hydration, kidney concentration, inflammation, glucose, protein, blood and crystals.
What is this test?
A urinalysis evaluates the physical, chemical and microscopic characteristics of urine. It can provide important information about hydration, kidney concentration, inflammation, glucose, protein, blood and crystals.
What information can it provide?
- Urine concentration helps determine whether the kidneys are appropriately concentrating or diluting urine.
- Protein, glucose and blood can identify patterns that deserve further veterinary investigation.
- Urine acidity, reported as pH, contributes context but does not diagnose a condition by itself.
- Microscopic sediment can reveal cells, crystals, casts, organisms or contamination.
- The collection method—free catch, catheterization or sterile bladder collection—affects interpretation.
When might your veterinarian recommend it?
- Investigate increased thirst, increased urination, accidents, straining or urinary discomfort.
- Interpret kidney-related bloodwork, diabetes concerns or suspected infection.
- Monitor chronic kidney disease, urinary stones, protein loss or treatment response.
What can owners do before the visit?
- Ask whether the clinic wants a fresh home-collected sample or a sample collected at the appointment.
- Deliver samples promptly and follow clinic guidance about temporary refrigeration.
- Tell the veterinary team about medication, prior antibiotics and collection timing.
What can this test not tell you by itself?
- A home-collected sample can be contaminated and may not be appropriate for culture.
- Stress, diet, storage time and collection method can change the findings.
- Crystals, bacteria or protein need clinical interpretation rather than automatic conclusions.
Do not change medication, interpret an abnormal number as a diagnosis or delay urgent treatment without direction from your veterinary team.
Useful questions for your appointment
- How was the urine collected, and does the collection method change the meaning?
- Should the sample be cultured or compared with bloodwork and blood pressure?
- What signs should make me call immediately?