Chapter 28 Physical exam of urine

physical properties of urine

• specific gravity

• volume

• color

• odor

• transparency/ turbidity

Pollakiuria

frequent urination- so how many times animal is urinating

polyuria

• increased urine production- so more volume

• can indicate: nephritis, diabetes (both mellitus and insipidus), pyometra, liver disease

Oliguria

• high specific gravity, very concentrated (looks dark like apple juice )

• decreased urine output

• can be caused by shock, dehydration, fever, etc

Anuria

• Absence of urine production

• occurs with bladder rupture, renal shutdown, urethral obstruction

Normal urine color

• light yellow to amber

What gives urine its color

• pigments called urochromes

urine color and relating to specific gravity

• higher specific gravity- darker color, more concentrated

• Lower specific gravity- lighter color, less concentrated

Urine clarity or transparency

• equine, rabbit and guinea pigs urine normally milky (due to calcium carbonate crystals and mucous)

• noted as clear, slightly cloudy, cloudy, or turbid

Urine odor

• ammonia odor may indicate cystitis

• Sweet or fruity may indicate ketones

• Fishy smell indicates infection

iosthenuria

• when specific gravity that approaches that of glomerular filtrate (1.008 and 1.012)

• chronic renal disease

• closer to isosthenuria, the more kidney function is lost