A Simple Test That Can Reveal Important Information About Your Pet’s Health

A urine sample may seem simple, but it can provide valuable information about your pet’s kidneys, bladder, metabolism and overall health. Many important medical conditions can be detected or monitored through urinalysis, often before obvious clinical signs develop.

At Lutwyche Veterinary Surgery, we perform many urine tests in our advanced IDEXX in-house laboratory, allowing us to obtain same-day results for many patients. This means we can diagnose illness sooner, begin appropriate treatment earlier and discuss your pet’s results during the same visit whenever possible.

Whether your pet is showing signs of urinary disease or is undergoing a routine health check, urinalysis is an important diagnostic tool that helps us provide the highest standard of veterinary care.

Why Might My Pet Need a Urine Test?

Your veterinarian may recommend urinalysis if your pet is:

Urinalysis is also commonly recommended alongside blood testing because the two tests provide complementary information about your pet’s health.

What Can Urinalysis Detect?

Urinalysis helps us diagnose and monitor many common medical conditions.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Urine testing can identify signs of infection and inflammation within the urinary tract and help determine whether further testing, such as urine culture, is required.

Kidney Disease

Changes in urine concentration are often one of the earliest indicators of kidney disease.

When combined with blood testing, urinalysis provides valuable information about how well your pet’s kidneys are functioning.

Diabetes Mellitus

Glucose or ketones in the urine may indicate diabetes and assist with monitoring diabetic patients.

Bladder Stones

Some urine samples contain crystals that may increase the risk of bladder stone formation.

Your veterinarian will interpret these findings together with your pet’s clinical signs and diagnostic imaging if required.

Protein Loss

Protein in the urine may indicate kidney disease or other underlying medical conditions requiring further investigation.

Hydration Status

Urine concentration provides important information about hydration and the kidneys’ ability to concentrate urine.

Advanced IDEXX Urinalysis Technology

At Lutwyche Veterinary Surgery, we’ve invested in advanced IDEXX diagnostic technology to provide fast, accurate laboratory testing.

Our in-house laboratory includes the IDEXX SediVue Dx® Urine Sediment Analyser, an advanced system that combines digital microscopy with artificial intelligence to evaluate urine samples quickly and accurately.

The SediVue Dx helps identify:

Combined with urine chemistry testing and interpretation by our experienced veterinary team, this technology allows us to diagnose urinary tract disease more efficiently and monitor many medical conditions with confidence.

Many urine test results are available on the same day, allowing treatment decisions to be made without unnecessary delays.

What Does a Urinalysis Include?

A comprehensive urinalysis may include:

Every result is interpreted alongside your pet’s medical history, physical examination and any blood test findings to provide the most accurate diagnosis possible.

How Is a Urine Sample Collected?

Depending on your pet’s condition, urine may be collected in several ways.

Free Catch Sample

Many owners collect a fresh urine sample at home before their appointment.

This is suitable for many routine investigations.

Cystocentesis

A sterile needle is used to collect urine directly from the bladder.

This technique provides the cleanest sample and is commonly recommended when investigating urinary tract infections or when urine culture is required.

Urinary Catheterisation

Occasionally, urine may be collected using a urinary catheter if medically indicated.

Your veterinarian will recommend the most appropriate collection method for your pet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I bring a urine sample to my appointment?

If your pet is experiencing urinary signs and you are able to collect a fresh urine sample on the day of your appointment, this is often very helpful.

If you’re unsure how to collect a sample, our team is happy to provide guidance.

How fresh should the sample be?

Ideally, urine should be examined within a few hours of collection.

If immediate delivery is not possible, refrigerate the sample and bring it to your appointment as soon as possible.

Does every pet with urinary signs need a urine test?

In many cases, yes.

Urinalysis provides valuable diagnostic information that helps guide treatment decisions for pets with urinary problems, increased thirst, kidney disease or diabetes.

Will my pet also need blood tests?

Often, yes.

Blood tests and urinalysis provide complementary information and are frequently performed together to obtain the most complete picture of your pet’s health.

Why Choose Lutwyche Veterinary Surgery?

At Lutwyche Veterinary Surgery, we believe that rapid and accurate diagnosis leads to better patient outcomes.

Our clinic is equipped with a comprehensive IDEXX in-house diagnostic laboratory, including the IDEXX ProCyte Dx®, IDEXX Catalyst One® and IDEXX SediVue Dx® analysers. This advanced technology allows us to perform many blood and urine tests on-site, providing fast, reliable results that help our veterinarians diagnose illness earlier and begin treatment sooner.

Combined with our experienced veterinary team, modern diagnostic equipment and personalised approach to patient care, we are committed to providing the highest standard of veterinary medicine for every pet we see.

Book an Appointment

If your pet is showing signs of urinary disease, requires monitoring for a chronic medical condition or is due for a routine health assessment, our advanced in-house laboratory allows us to provide fast, reliable urine testing without unnecessary delays.

Contact Lutwyche Veterinary Surgery on (07) 3161 6237 or book online to arrange an appointment with one of our experienced veterinarians.