Urinalysis: Biochemical Analysis Flashcards
(31 cards)
What is biochemical analysis? (3)
- measuring chemical substances in urine
- Use a dipstick that has a pad for each chemical
- Abnormal readings can indicate disease
What is pH?
Measure of H+ concentration in urine
What is the normal pH for urine in animals? (3)
- acidic or alkaline
- pH < 7 in carnivores
- pH >7 in herbivores
What can cause abnormally low pH? (3)
- hypoventilation
- starvation
- prolonged vomiting and diarrhea
What can cause abnormally high pH? (4)
- hyperventilation
- bacterial UTI
- postparandial urine sample
- may be falsely increased if urine is left out at room temp for a long time before analysis
What can effect the amount of protein found in the urine? (2)
- method of urine collection
2. falsely increased if urine has prolonged contact with test pad on dipstick
What amount of protein in the urine is considered to be normal?
a small amount that is usually undetectable
What does proteinuria usually indicate? (3)
- indicates disease of the urinary system
- kidney damage (glomerulus)
- urinary tract inflammation
Is glucose a normal finding in urine?
no, not usually detected in urine
When does glucosuria occur? (2)
when blood glucose levels are
- > 170-180 mg/dl in dogs
- > 260-310 mg/dl in cats
What are the conditions associated with glucosuria? (3)
- diabetes mellitus
- stress/excitement
- high carbohydrate meal
What may cause a falsely decreased blood glucose level?
refrigerated urine
What are ketones?
Ketone group-containing acids that result from fat breakdown
Are ketones normal?
not normally detected in urine
When does Ketonuria occur? (4)
- fat is metabolized for energy when carbohydrates are not available
- diabetes mellitus
- Pregnancy toxemia/ketosis
- starvation/fasting
What are bile pigments?
Chemicals derived from the breakdown of hemoglobin:
1) Bilirubin
2) Urobilinogen
What can bilirubinuria be caused by? (3)
- RBC destruction
- hepatocellular damage
- bile duct obstruction
What would be considered a normal amount of bile pigment in dogs?
small quantities
What happens when bilirubin sits in a urine sample? (2)
- unstable in urine sample
2. will break down outside the body especially when exposed to environmental light
What can hematuria be caused by? (6)
- bacterial UTI
- urolithiasis
- interstitial cystitis
- neoplasia
- renal disease
- trauma
What colors can the urine be with hematuria? (3)
- wine
- brown
- cloudy red
What happens to the color of the blood (hematuria) after its centrifuged?
Abnormal urine color may disappear after centrifugation
What causes hemoglobinuria? (3)
- massive RBC destruction
- autoimmune hemolytic anemia
- blood transfusion incompatibility
What colors can the urine be with hemoglobinuria? (3)
- wine
- brown
- cloudy red
