Share photos of your pets in their Halloween costumes and you could win a $100 gift certificate to Dedham Veterinary Associates! All you have to do is email us your photos in October. We'll post the photos on our Facebook page. The $100 gift certificate goes to the pet owner with the entry with the most "likes". Watch for details and entry instructions in the October newsletter!

Why Do You Want My Pet's Pee?  

Some clients are a little surprised when we ask their dog to pee in a cup or to take a urine sample from their cat during a routine exam, but there is actually a whole lot we can find out from that sample. The urine is the key to seeing how the whole body is functioning - not just the bladder. The sample is sent to the lab and a urinalysis report comes back. We are able to look for many problems. Here is a summary of the most common problems we look for in a routine urinalysis.

Urinary tract infections are most common in female puppies and older cats and dogs. We may see bacteria in the urine sample, or sometimes we just see white and red blood cells, which indicate inflammation from the bacterial infection. Often the metabolism of bacteria raises the urine pH and can be another clue. If the pH gets too high, we may also see some crystals in the urine sample. If we find any of these, we'll do a urine culture, which is a test in which we try to get the bacteria to grow so it can be identified and tested against different antibiotics to see which will cure the infection best.

Urinary crystals are common - and uncomfortable - for dogs and cats. While some crystals are caused by infections, many others are due to the inherent metabolism of the pet and how they process their food. When crystals clump together in the bladder they can form bladder stones, which may require surgery. If a pet's tendency to produce crystals is detected before it causes a problem, we can often recommend dietary adjustments that will eliminate crystal formations and help your pet avoid bladder surgery.

Concentrated urine or excess protein in the urine are both signs of kidney disease. We also look at toxins in the blood that are removed by the kidneys. By looking at the blood and urine together, we get a full picture of the kidney function. In the early stages, the symptoms of kidney disease are not readily apparent, yet this is when therapy is most effective to slow the progression of the disease and extend your pet's life.

Diabetic pets spill glucose into their urine, which shows up on routine urinalysis.

We're seeing an epidemic of tick-borne diseases. These diseases can cause complications for the internal organs, especially the kidneys. Protein in the urine is a sign of these complications.

For more information about urinary tract infections and bladder conditions, please visit the  pet care handout page on our website.