How to Collect a Canine Urine Sample
Veterinarians often request that dog owners collect urine samples for lab procedures. However, a pet owner shouldn't be expected to immediately know how to collect a urine sample from his dog, so a few quick tips can help carry out the task.
Instructions
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Gather the tools you will need to collect the canine urine sample including a clean container, a saucer or small cup for collecting or a dropper. Many pets are jumpy when an owner follows them around during a bathroom break, so consider fashioning a collection device with a handle made out of a ruler or dowel so you don't have to get too close to the dog during urination.
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Wait for the right moment and spring into action. If your dog is male, it may be easy to simply slide a cup or saucer under his stream of urine. However, if you have a female dog, consider standing behind her, out of view, and sliding a saucer under her as she squats. While it might be somewhat messy, this method usually yields enough urine for testing.
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Suck up a sample with a dropper if your dog makes a sizable puddle. Some lab tests don't require an absolutely sterile sample, so when your dog urinates, collect the desired amount of urine from their puddle with a dropper and deposit it into a clean container. Be sure to ask your vet about this tactic in advance.
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Deliver your canine urine sample to the veterinarian's office in a timely manner. Most vets prefer that urine be no more than 2 to 4 hours old to yield accurate test results, but if it must be older, refrigerate the sample for up to 24 hours.
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Request that your vet gather a sample by cystocentesis. If the vet needs a large amount of urine or a sterile sample, she can collect urine directly from the dog's bladder with a syringe. While the procedure may sound unpleasant, there is minimal pain for the dog, and it is a trusty way to collect a canine urine sample.
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