Urinalysis Exam

What is a urinary tract infection (UTI) in dogs generally considered to be?

A secondary disease arising from underlying conditions.

What factors can predispose dogs to urinary tract infections?

Anatomical abnormalities, urinary stones, diabetes mellitus, and immunosuppressive diseases.

What is a common cause of urinary tract infections in cats?

Stress leading to feline idiopathic cystitis, which precedes bacterial infections.

What urine characteristics help maintain casts intact?

A specific gravity above 1.020 and a neutral to slightly acidic pH (6.0 to 7.5).

What urine characteristics can destroy casts?

Dilute urine (specific gravity below 1.010) and alkaline pH.

What causes hyaline casts to develop in dogs?

Strenuous exercise leading to dehydration and increased protein levels.

How can yeast in urine be identified microscopically?

As oval or round organisms with a refractile, budding appearance.

What role do mucoproteins play in concentrated urine conditions?

They form a matrix that aggregates particles and leads to cast formation.

What do wide casts indicate in terms of kidney health?

Significant renal tubular damage and chronic renal dysfunction.

Where are granular casts typically formed?

In the wider collecting tubules due to renal damage.

In what contexts can hyaline casts be observed in cats?

In otherwise healthy cats, indicating mild renal tubular secretion.

What do casts generally indicate in renal health?

Renal tubular damage or dysfunction.

What is the specific gravity range of urine in cases of UTI?

Low to normal, indicating reduced concentration capacity.

What microscopic observations are typical in a urinary tract infection?

Presence of bacteria, white blood cells, and red blood cells.

What is the best method to confirm a UTI?

A urine culture to identify specific pathogens and their antibiotic susceptibility.

Why is urine supposed to be sterile to the distal urethra?

To prevent infections that may ascend to the bladder and kidneys.

What mechanisms discourage bacterial growth in the urinary tract?

Urine flow, low pH, antimicrobial peptides, and immunoglobulins.

What makes urine a good growth medium for bacteria?

Its nutrient-rich composition, including urea and electrolytes.

What is the role of Tamm-Horsfall protein in the urinary tract?

It inhibits pathogen adhesion and aggregates crystals to prevent stone formation.

What factors can lead to false positives in urine chemical tests?

Drugs like ascorbic acid for glucose, alkaline urine for protein, and hemolysis for blood.

What condition can cause lipid to enter urine?

Nephrotic syndrome, due to excessive lipids from compromised filtration.

What is the best sample type to evaluate the renal tubule’s ability to concentrate urine?

First-morning urine sample.

Name a urease-producing bacterium that may cause UTI?

Proteus mirabilis.

What are the most common bacterial causes of a UTI?

Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Klebsiella spp.

How can fat droplets be differentiated from RBCs microscopically?

By their refractile properties, oil-red color under polarized light, and larger size.

What role do litter boxes have regarding UTI symptoms?

They can obscure symptoms like increased urination frequency and straining.

What are some key functions of the kidneys?

Regulating blood pressure, electrolyte balance, acid-base balance, and hormone production.

What are the three basic processes of the kidney that affect urine formation?

Filtration, reabsorption, and secretion.

What parasitic worm can infect the bladder?

Schistosoma haematobium.

What parasitic worm can infect the kidney?

Echinococcus granulosus.

What is the worm that can be mistaken for a bladder worm?

Capillaria plica.

What does a strong ammonia smell in urine indicate?

High urea concentration.

What are the four elements of a macroscopic exam of urine?

Volume, color, clarity, and odor.

What can dark yellow coloration in urine indicate?

Dehydration.

What happens to cells in a hypotonic solution?

They swell as water flows in, potentially leading to lysis.