collecting pee

JustTess · 01-20-2009, 08:03 PM

What is the best way to collect a urine sample from a very sensitive (looks embarrased to any kind of elimination) male husky?

I'm hoping he doesn't have an infection because his pee looks dark and cloudy.

Any tips?

edit to add: surely someone had to collect samples before? Maybe I can train him to hit a target ... sigh....

craven.44 · 01-20-2009, 08:54 PM

Every time I have to collect urine, I take the dog on a walk with a little bowl and try to stick it under them when the start to go. Be prepared to get urine on your hands. If you really need to, catheterization is not hard for a vet to do on a male. Good luck!

JustTess · 01-20-2009, 09:32 PM

I may have to get the vet to help if I'm not able to. Ilya is the biggest baby when it comes to vet visits. He likes to howl before the vet gets one finger on him these days.

lulusmom · 01-20-2009, 10:17 PM

You should call your vet and ask if it's okay for you to collect the sample. It's possible that the vet will want to do it as the urine collected via free catch can be contaminated going through the urethra which makes it difficult to assess a possible upper urinary tract infection.

I have collected urine with a dixie cup held by one of those Gopher - grabber - picker upper thingies. I borrowed it from my mom who said I could use it as long as I sterilized it before giving it back. There's also a long handled soup ladle approach. Just make sure you don't get it mixed up with the other soup ladles in the kitchen...pee soup anyone?

babysweet · 01-20-2009, 10:36 PM

I second lulusmom re: the stick and dixie cup. A ladel with a long handle also works. The key is to wait until they start to pee and THEN lean down. It's much harder to stop peeing once you've started.

Also, a mid-stream sample is generally preferred anyways.

Best of luck!

All about Eva · 01-20-2009, 10:51 PM

I use the laddle also, it doesnt scare the dog as much either you do not have to bend down as far. The big thing is, making sure the dog is on a leash and can not move away from you. Also you may want to make sure you leave your door open or have someone hold a door open because walking a dog with one hand and having urine in the other does not leave room for opening doors. I always tend to forget that when collecting urine at work on dogs when they are not in the yard and I have to bring them in. You can not just sit a laddle down on the grown. Good luck hope this helps.

babysweet · 01-20-2009, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by All about Eva

Also you may want to make sure you leave your door open or have someone hold a door open because walking a dog with one hand and having urine in the other does not leave room for opening doors.

LOL... it's soooo funny you should mention this. We did a urine collection on our puppy the other day at the vet clinic using a little flat plastic sterile tray. I left my husband in the exam room and took the puppy out myself, obviously not thinking ahead. I got a good sample, and then got a good grip on the sample and the puppy - having to carry the puppy in my arms because she wasn't comfortable walking in the deep snow and there was salt everywhere.

Unfortunately, my lack of foresight and good grip on the sample led to me getting a thumb full of very warm, fresh pee.

Lesson learned.