Animal Care and Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging & Laboratory Testing 3

Question 1

What is the normal urine specific gravity range for a healthy adult dog?

Accepted Answer

1.015–1.045

Answer

Canine urine specific gravity normally ranges from 1.015–1.045, reflecting the kidneys' ability to concentrate urine; values below 1.030 in a dehydrated patient suggest inadequate concentrating ability.

Question 2

Which combination of urinalysis findings is MOST suggestive of an active urinary tract infection (UTI)?

Accepted Answer

Bacteriuria (bacteria on sediment) combined with pyuria (elevated white blood cells)

Answer

The combination of bacteria and white blood cells (pyuria) on urine sediment examination is the hallmark of an active urinary tract infection.

Question 3

What is the GOLD STANDARD method for definitively diagnosing a bacterial urinary tract infection in veterinary patients?

Accepted Answer

Aerobic urine culture and antimicrobial sensitivity testing

Answer

Urine culture identifies the specific bacterial organism and sensitivity testing guides antibiotic selection, making it the definitive diagnostic method for UTI.

Question 4

Which urine collection method provides the most sterile sample suitable for bacterial culture in dogs and cats?

Accepted Answer

Cystocentesis — needle aspiration directly through the abdominal wall into the bladder

Answer

Cystocentesis bypasses the urethra and external genitalia entirely, providing a urine sample free of contamination from distal urogenital flora.

Question 5

The presence of red blood cell (RBC) casts in urine sediment most strongly suggests pathology in which location?

Accepted Answer

The renal tubules, indicating glomerulonephritis or intra-renal hemorrhage

Answer

Casts form within the renal tubules; RBC casts indicate hemorrhage at the tubular level and are diagnostic for glomerular or tubular disease.

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Animal Care and Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging & Laboratory Testing 3