Dog urine sample, now what

Sometimes you have your dog at the vet and they hand you a container to go collect some doggy pee.  Well if you pooch isn’t forthcoming as you strut around with him on the nature strip poised to collect, you can still get a sample at home.  If you know of your visit in advance you can take one along with you as long as you’ve collected it in a dry and sterile container.

Ideally urine is tested as close as possible from the time the sample is given.  The fresher the better and if left even 2 hours at room temperature can begin to change due to cells breaking down, bacteria multiplying and the pH changing.  To minimize the chance of an erroneous diagnosis please refrigerate the sample promptly until to you arrive at the vet.

Wait until your dog is in position to pass water and hold container under the stream.  A glass or plastic container would be appropriate and 1-2 tablespoons would be enough. Refrigerate the sample but do not freeze.  You can use a cooler bag when transport it to your vet.

Speak to you vet about the time frame involved as even being refrigerated the sample may not be used after 12 hours.

Leah & Angela OMeara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)