Urinalysis (UA)
A physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine to evaluate kidney function and the lower urinary tract.
💬 In Plain English
A urinalysis is the third pillar of the veterinary minimum database alongside the CBC and chemistry panel. Looking at urine allows veterinarians to evaluate how well the kidneys are concentrating waste, detect early kidney disease, find bladder infections, spot urinary crystals before they turn into bladder stones, and detect glucose leaking in diabetes. It involves three steps: measuring the concentration with a refractometer (Urine Specific Gravity), testing chemicals with a dipstick strip, and spinning the urine in a centrifuge to examine microscopic sediment (bacteria, crystals, cells).
🔬 Clinical & Technical Depth
For Vets & TechniciansFormal Clinical Definition
Tripartite evaluation of urine comprising physical characteristics (color, clarity, specific gravity via optical refractometer), biochemical dipstick testing (protein, pH, glucose, ketones, bilirubin, occult blood), and microscopic sediment examination (erythrocytes, leukocytes, epithelial cells, casts, crystals, microorganisms).
Why Veterinarians Use It
Veterinarians use urinalysis to diagnose urinary tract infections, identify crystals, screen for diabetes and Cushing’s, and validate whether blood azotemia is pre-renal or renal in origin.
Clinical Context Encountered
Performed whenever pets have changes in drinking or urination habits, house-soiling accidents, or during senior health checkups.
Clinical Reference Guide (Diagnostic Test)
- •Ketones in the urine of a diabetic pet indicates Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), a metabolic crisis requiring immediate hospitalization.
❓ Questions to Ask Your Veterinarian
Take these actionable questions with you to your next clinic visit or appointment:
- 1What was the exact Urine Specific Gravity (USG) reading on the refractometer?
- 2Was the sample collected via free-catch, catheter, or cystocentesis (sterile needle into bladder)?
- 3Did microscopic sediment reveal crystals (struvite or calcium oxalate), bacteria, or red blood cells?
- 4Should a urine culture and sensitivity test be submitted to the laboratory?
Academic & Clinical References
- ASVCP Urinalysis Guidelines for Veterinary PatientsOrganization: American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ASVCP) • Accessed: 2026-01-10https://www.asvcp.org