Atlas of Canine and Feline Urinalysis

Theresa E. Rizzi, DVM, DACVP (Clinical Pathology), is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology at Oklahoma State University, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, in Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA.

Amy Valenciano, DVM, MS, DACVP (Clinical Pathology), is a Clinical Pathologist at IDEXX Laboratories in Dallas, Texas, USA.

Mary Bowles, DVM, DACVIM, is an emeritus Associate Professor and former Small Animal Medicine Section Chief in the Department of Clinical Sciences at Oklahoma State University, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences in Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA.

Rick Cowell, DVM, MS, MRCVS, DACVP (Clinical Pathology), is a Clinical Pathologist at IDEXX Laboratories Inc. in Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA.

Ronald Tyler, DVM, PhD, DACVP (Clinical Pathology and Anatomic Pathology), DABT, is consulting pathologist and toxicologist to U.S., European, and Chinese pharmaceutical companies, contract laboratories, and regulatory agencies with adjunct appointments in the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology at Oklahoma State University, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, in Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA and Department of Pathology, Madras Veterinary College, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University in Chennai, India.

Dennis B. DeNicola, DVM, PhD, DACVP (Clinical Pathology), is Chief Veterinary Educator at IDEXX Laboratories in Westbrook, Maine, USA.

Introduction 1
Section 1: Sample Collection and Handling 2
Collection of Urine Samples 2
Free Catch Urine Collection 2
Transurethral Catheterization 3
Cystocentesis 6
Urine Sample Handlin g 7
Culture 7
Section II: Urine: Physical Characteristics 10
Volume 10
Color 10
Clarity/Turbidity 11
Odor 11
Urine Specific Gravity 11
Section III Urine Chemistry 13
Urine pH 13
Protein 14
Glucose 19
Ketones 20
Blood 22
Bilirubin 24
Section IV Urine Sediment 26
Preparation for Microscopic Examination 26
Casts 27
Hyaline Casts 27
Cellular Casts 28
Granular Casts 30
Waxy Casts 31
Fatty Casts 32
Hemoglobin Casts 32
Mixed Casts 33
Psuedo Casts 33
Crystals 34
Crystals associated with urolith formation34
Struvite/Triple Phosphate Crystals 34
Calcium oxalate dihydrate 35
Calcium oxalate monohydrate 36
Calcium Phosphate 37
Urate/Ammonium Biurate 37
Uric Acid 38
Cystine 39
Xanthine 39
Amorphous (Phosphate, Urate, Silicates) 40
Crystals not typically associated with urolith formation41
Tyrosine and leucine 41
Bilirubin 42
Melamine 42
Drug Induced 43
Sulfonamides 43
Ampicillin 44
Radiopaque Contrast Agents 44
Cholesterol 45
Cells 45
Transitional Epithelial Cells 45
Squamous Epithelial Cells 46
Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells 47
Leukocytes 48
Erythrocytes 49
Atypical (Neoplastic) Cells 50
Organisms51
Bacteria 52
Fungal Hyphae 53
Yeast 54
Dioctophyma renale Ova 54
Capillaria (Pearsonema) plica and Capillaria felis cati Ova 55
Microfilaria 56
Miscellaneous Findings and Artifacts 56
Pollen 56
Fungal spores 57
Mucus 58
Lipid Droplets 58
Sperm 59
Air Bubbles 59
Starch Granules (Glove Powder) 60
Fiber 60