How to Collect a Urine Sample from a Dog

Table of contents:

How to Collect a Urine Sample from a Dog
How to Collect a Urine Sample from a Dog

Video: How to Collect a Urine Sample from a Dog

Video: How to Collect a Urine Sample from a Dog
Video: How to Deliver Puppies 2024, March
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Did the vet ask for a urine sample from your puppy? The urine test is a simple, easy and non-invasive way to detect infections and health problems such as diabetes mellitus and kidney problems. The urine sample also allows you to check the urine for crystals that can irritate the animal's bladder. Collecting a sample from a female is a little more complicated, but it takes a little planning.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Preparing the container

Collect a Urine Sample from a Female Dog Step 1
Collect a Urine Sample from a Female Dog Step 1

Step 1. Choose a container to collect the sample

The ideal is to use a flat, wide and shallow object, such as a shape or a small lunchbox. It is important that the collector is shallow enough to be placed under the bitch and wide enough to catch urine if you miss the aim.

Collect a Urine Sample from a Female Dog Step 2
Collect a Urine Sample from a Female Dog Step 2

Step 2. Understand the importance of sterilization

The veterinarian who ordered the urine test probably wants to check for an infection by taking a culture from the specimen. For accurate results, urine must be collected in a clean container and transferred to a small bottle for transport. It is important to avoid contamination by bacteria, or they can harm test results.

  • Using sterile receptacles allows the provider to accurately identify the agents causing the infection and know which antibiotics to prescribe for the animal.
  • There are three methods to sterilize the container at home. They will be explained below.
Collect a Urine Sample from a Female Dog Step 3
Collect a Urine Sample from a Female Dog Step 3

Step 3. Use a sterilizing liquid for baby bottles and pacifiers

Look in the cleaning products section of a supermarket for a sterilizing solution and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Usually, the process is simple:

  • Dilute the liquid in a specific volume of water.
  • Submerge the container in the diluted fluid for a period of time.
Collect a Urine Sample from a Female Dog Step 4
Collect a Urine Sample from a Female Dog Step 4

Step 4. Use a steam sterilizer

If you have access to a steam sterilizer, use it to sanitize aluminum containers. The device can also sterilize plastic, but you must use a plastic that can withstand high temperatures.

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions as they vary by product. Typically, the process involves adding a specific amount of water to the appliance before turning it on

Collect a Urine Sample from a Female Dog Step 5
Collect a Urine Sample from a Female Dog Step 5

Step 5. Clean the container with boiling water

If you don't want to spend on fluids or machines, you can just use water and the stove. Boil a pot of water and submerge the receptacle in the liquid. Obviously, only use containers that can withstand high temperatures.

Leave the container submerged for a few minutes and be very careful removing it, or you could get burned. Place it on a clean surface to cool

Collect a Urine Sample from a Female Dog Step 6
Collect a Urine Sample from a Female Dog Step 6

Step 6. Clean and dry a container that does not need to be sterilized

Simple cleaning is enough if the veterinarian is not going to culture the sample. Obviously, it is imperative that the receptacle is not soiled with food residues, as these can interfere with the test results.

Wash the container with hot, soapy water. Rinse under running water and allow to dry naturally

Collect a Urine Sample from a Female Dog Step 7
Collect a Urine Sample from a Female Dog Step 7

Step 7. Use a small bottle with a screw cap to transport the urine

After collecting the sample, it is necessary to transfer it to a sterilized bottle for transport to the veterinarian. It is possible that the professional will give you a container; if not, there are several options you probably already have at home.

Jelly and coffee jars, those with a screw cap, are good options. Wash thoroughly to remove food residues and, if possible, sterilize using one of the methods listed above. Sterilization is not necessary if the veterinarian is not going to culture the urine

Method 2 of 2: Collecting the sample

Collect a Urine Sample from a Female Dog Step 8
Collect a Urine Sample from a Female Dog Step 8

Step 1. Plan ahead

It's normal for a puppy to suspect something when she sees you behind her with your eyes fixed and full of purpose. This can make her hold back the urge to pee or run away, preventing collection. To avoid problems, allow to collect urine when the dog has a full bladder, first thing in the morning. That way, she'll be so eager to relieve herself that she won't pay as much attention to you.

  • Other options: collect urine after a meal or during a normal walk. Take her to sniff something and tempt her to mark territory. Take advantage of her canine instincts and collect the urine.
  • Another option is to ask for help. Have a second person take the puppy for a walk in the street and follow them closely behind with the collection container. As soon as the dog squats down to urinate, approach silently and place the container under her back.
Collect a Urine Sample from a Female Dog Step 9
Collect a Urine Sample from a Female Dog Step 9

Step 2. Let the dog have a full bladder before leaving the house

It is a good idea to wear rubber gloves to collect the urine sample and transfer it to the sterile container. Go out for a walk with the little dog and let her sniff the street normally.

Puppies usually sniff the environment a lot before choosing a place to empty their bladders. Pay attention and try to notice when the dog is getting ready to urinate

Collect a Urine Sample from a Female Dog Step 10
Collect a Urine Sample from a Female Dog Step 10

Step 3. Approach slowly when you see the dog crouching

Don't make sudden movements, or you could scare the cat and make it stop urinating. Slide the collection container under the back of it to collect the pee.

Collect a Urine Sample from a Female Dog Step 11
Collect a Urine Sample from a Female Dog Step 11

Step 4. Collect as much urine as possible

No need to fill the container to the brim; about 25 ml should be enough. When you have a sizable sample, place the container on a flat surface that it cannot tip over and take the dog home.

Collect a Urine Sample from a Female Dog Step 12
Collect a Urine Sample from a Female Dog Step 12

Step 5. Transfer urine to a screw cap container

It is important to have firm hands so as not to make a mess. Because of this, it's a good idea to transfer the liquid outside the house, where the splash won't matter. Once you have transferred enough urine, close the lid of the pot.

Remove gloves and dispose of them properly

Collect a Urine Sample from a Female Dog Step 13
Collect a Urine Sample from a Female Dog Step 13

Step 6. Take the sample to the veterinarian immediately

The fresher the urine, the better. Because of this, it is a good idea to allow the collection to be carried out only when it is possible to take it to the office in no more than one hour.

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