Urinalysis Sediment

VTT 239

Squamous Epithelial Cells

cause: cells shed from the distal urinary tract (distal urethra/vagina/prepuce)

indication: small amount are normal while large amounts can indicate damage of the tract and possible contamination of the specimen with skin microorganisms

Transitional Epithelial Cells

cause: cells shed from the proximal urinary tract lining (urethra/bladder ureters/renal pelvis)

indication: small amount are normal while large amounts can indicate infection/inflammation of the tract

Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells

cause: renal tubular degeneration

indication: normal in small amount but increased numbers indicate damage to the kidneys

Erythrocytes

cause: blood in the urinary tract

indication: hematuria from infection, damage/trauma, or disease.

Leukocytes

cause: Inflammation or infection in the urinary tract

indication: Acute glomerulonephritis, infection/inflammation in the lower or upper urinary tract

Hyaline Cast

cause: protein in the renal tubules

indication: normal in small amounts, larger amounts can indicate dehydration, intense exercise, or mild renal disease

Cellular Cast

cause: cells that are trapped in casts within the tubules

indication: large amounts indicate renal inflammation or pyelonephritis

Granular Cast

cause: degenerating cells/cellular casts

indication: renal disease or tubular damage

Waxy Cast

cause: advanced degeneration of granular casts

indication: chronic tubular damage

Fatty Cast

cause: fat globules in degenerating tubular epithelial cells

indication: renal disease/degeneration

Amorphous Urate Crystals

cause: found in concentrated acidic urine

indication: normal finding that can indicate dehydration

Uric Acid Crystals

cause: acidic urine containing a high uric acid concentration

indication: not commonly found except in dalmatians, can indicate urolith formation or liver disease

Calcium Oxalate-Dihydrate Crystals

cause: found in acidic or neutral urine

indication: normal in small amounts but larger amounts can indicate hypercalcemia

Calcium Oxalate-Monohydrate Crystals

cause: ethylene glycol poisoning (antifreeze)

indication: severe renal damage caused by ethylene glycol toxicity

Struvite Crystals

cause: alkaline to slightly acidic urine

indication: urine containing high concentration of ammonia

Calcium Carbonate Crystals

cause: alkaline urine

indication: normal findings in horses and rabbits, no clinical significance

Ammonium Biurate Crystals

cause: found in neutral, alkaline, or slightly acidic urine, increased ammonia and uric acid breakdown

indication: severe liver disease/damage

Bilirubin Crystals

cause: increased bilirubin in urine

indication: normal in acidic K9 urine, abnormal in other species and can symbolize an underlying disease process

Tyrosine Crystals

cause: abnormal breakdown of amino acids

indication: severe liver disease, uncommon finding in dogs/ cats

Cystine Crystals

cause: defect in amino acid reabsorption

indication: renal tubular dysfunction or cystine urolithiasis

Bacteria

cause: specimen contamination or infection

indication: if white blood cells are present it can indicate infection

Parasites

cause: systemic parasitic infection or ova in urine

indication: presence of parasites in the body or contamination

Mucus

cause: urinary tract lining secretions

indication: insignificant finding, amounts can increase if there is inflammation/irritation

Sperm

cause: ejaculate /repro tract contamination

indication: insignificant finding, common in intact males

Fat

cause: lipid presence in urine

indication: insignificant finding, can sometimes indicate renal disease or lipiduria