Urinalysis should start with an inspection of the sample through a clear container to check the colour and clarity; also smell the sample to assess its odour.
Colour
Normal urine ranges from pale yellow to amber. A change in colour may signal an abnormality such as:
| Colour | Possible abnormality |
|---|---|
| Very pale | dilute, low specific gravity |
| Dark yellow | high specific gravity, consider hydration status (may be dehydrated) |
| Yellow-green/ yellow-brown | bilirubin, bile pigments |
| Red/red-brown | erythrocytes (UTI, trauma), haemoglobin (babesiosis, leishmaniasis, haemolytic anaemia) or myoglobin (muscle damage). |
Clarity
Normal urine is clear in appearance, but some healthy animals have a very small amount of turbidity (cloudiness). Marked increase in turbidity may be due to an abnormal increase in cells, such as erythrocytes and leucocytes, casts, crystals, bacteria or proteinuria.
Odour
A strong, abnormal smell may indicate a bacterial infection or a metabolic disturbance.
| Odour | Possible abnormality |
|---|---|
| Ammonia | concentrated urine, consider hydration status (may be dehydrated) |
| Sweet/ fruity | ketones may be present (consider diabetes mellitus, ketosis) |
| Rotten/ fishy | may indicate bacterial urinary tract infection |