Urinalysis Exam

UGRC Vet Tech (Year 1)

Is a UTI a primary or secondary disease in dogs and why?

• Primary

• The infections develop first which causes other issues such as pH change resulting in urinary stones

Is a UTI a primary or secondary disease in cats and why?

• Secondary

• They occur due to an underlying condition which makes the urinary tract more susceptible to infection

What urine characteristics keep casts intact?

• Highly Acidic Urine

• Fresh Sample

• High SG (Concentrated Urine)

What urine characteristics will destroy casts?

Casts normally disappear with time but also due to…

• Agressive Handling

• Dilute Urine

• Alkaline Urine

What casts can sometimes form as a result of strenuous exercise?

• Hyaline Casts

What are the characteristics of yeast in the urine?

• Smaller than RBCs

• Bigger than bacteria

• Budding

• Snowmen/footprint appearance

How are mucoproteins and urinary casts related? Mucoproteins are likely to form a matrix under which conditions?

Urinary casts are formed when mucoproteins most commonly Tamm-Horsfall, aggregate in the renal tubules which is most commonly seen in kidney disease patients.

Mucoproteins are likely to form a matrix (gel-like or solid framework which traps minerals & particles) under acidic conditions. > matrix production is seen with excess mucus production

Where are casts that are wide formed found in the kidneys?

• Distal Tubules & Collecting Ducts

Which type of cast is usually formed in the wider collecting tubules?

• Broad Waxy Casts

What type of cast can normally be seen in cat urine?

• Fatty Casts

In most cases casts indicate _____________.

• Kidney Disease/Issues

In cases of a UTI the specific gravity is usually ________________________.

• Low

This is because urine will be dilute with UTI patients as they trying to get rid of the infection by urinating more frequently which does not allow the urine to become concentrated resulting in a low SG

What would be seen microscopically in UTI patients?

• WBCs (Clumps)

• Bacteria

• Intracellular Bacteria

What is the best way to confirm a UTI?

• Cystocentesis + Microscopic Evaluation

Urine should be sterile to the _________of the urethra.

• Distal End

What are some natural ways the body discourages bacterial growth in the urinary
tract?

• Unidirectional Urine Flow – Helps flush out bacteria

• Normal Flora in Proximal Urethra – Compete with harmful bacteria

• Immunoglobulin Production – Helps fight off bacteria

• Varying SG– Varies from low during the day to higher at night; this variability makes it harder for bacteria to thrive

• Urine Stasis at Night – High nighttime specific gravity may inhibit bacterial growth

What are some reasons why urine is an excellent growth media for bacteria?

• Protein – Supports bacterial metabolism

• Glucose – A simple sugar that bacteria can easily use for energy

• Water-Soluble Vitamins – Help bacteria grow and function

• Nitrogen from Urea – Bacteria can use this as a nitrogen source

• Electrolytes – Maintain osmotic balance and support cellular processes

• Moist environment – Urine provides the water bacteria need to survive and multiply

What is Tamm-Horsfall Proteins THP and what do they do?

Tamm-Horsfall Protein

• Produced in the loop of henle and is the most abundant protein in normal urine

Functions

• Kidney Stone Prevention

• Cast Formation

• Concentrates Urine

• Defends Urinary System

On a chemstrip what test can give false positives or negatives and why?

False Positives

• Leukocytes → Esterase (in cat urine)

• Protein → Dilute Urine & Acidic Urine

• Glucose → Large Amounts of Ascorbic Acid

False Positives

• Protein → Cells (cells are made of protein)

• Glucose → Hydrogen Peroxide

What procedure can cause lipid in the urine?

Catheterization due to the lubricant used for application

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

• Morning Samples

What are 3 urease producing bacteria?

1. Proteus

2. Staphylococcus

3. Heliobacter

What are the most common bacterial causes of a UTI in order?

• Escherichia Coli

• Klebsiella Pneumoniae

• Proteus Mirabilis

• Staphylococcus Saprophyticus

NOTE: 90% of UTI are from Coli

Microscopically what are the ways to differentiate fat droplets for RBC?

Fats

• Out of Focus

RBCs

• Size Consitency

• Grey

Acetic Acid (Vinegar) gets rid of RBCs but not fat

How can litter boxes cause owners to miss the symptoms of a UTI?

What are the functions of the kidney?

What are the 3 basic processes of the kidney which affect urine formation?

What is the name of the parasitic worm that can infect the bladder? (Genus and species)

What is the name of the parasitic worm that can infect the kidney? (Genus and species)

What is the name of the worm (genus and species) that can be mistaken for a bladder
worm? What is a noninvasive way to check which worm it is?

What are the different urine odour smells and which are normal?

give a reason for each smell

What are the 4 elements of a macroscopic exam? What are the abnormalities and causes of these abnormalities?

What happens to a cell in a hypotonic solution?

What happens to a cell in a hypertonic solution?

What are ways specific to cats, that makes them less susceptible to urinary tract
infections?

What are the crystals associated with metabolic disorders? What is the elements that
cannot be metabolized?

What are the 3 epithelial cells in order of size that can be seen in the urine and which is the most
common?

What are all of the cells that can be found in the urine in order according to size?

What does it indicate if there is ketonuria without glucosuria?

What can cause acidic urine?

What can cause alkaline urine?

What are the indications of “true” hemoglobinuria?

KNOW THESE

Capillaria Plica (Bladder Worm) - Infects Bladder

Trichuris Vulpis (Round Worm) - Mistaken for Bladder Worm

Dioctophyma Renale (Giant Parasitic Worm Egg) - Infects Kidneys