Your vet can tell a lot about your dog's health by analyzing its urine.Your vet will want to perform a urinalysis on your female dog if her urine doesn't look right (bloody, really cloudy), or if she is training to urinate frequently.You may be asked to collect a urine sample.This may seem hard at first, but you will be able to collect and handle the sample with some extra help.
Step 1: You can choose a container.
You can get a container from your vet to collect the urine.You will not use it again if you use a container from home.The urine from female dogs can be collected from shallow containers.The empty cream cheese container is one of the options.
Step 2: Put the container in the washing machine and dry it.
A dirty container can make urinalysis difficult to interpret.Once you have a container, wash it with warm soapy water.Before you use it to collect the urine, make sure it is completely dry.
Step 3: There is a leash on your dog.
When the container is ready, put a leash on your dog and take him outside.If you attempt to collect a urine sample, you should have your dog on a leash.If you have a backyard, it's a good idea to take your dog out to urinate.When you know your dog will need to urinate, consider timing the collection for the first thing in the morning or after a meal.
Step 4: Allow your dog to pee.
As your female dog prepares to urinate, pay close attention.You may not have a lot of time to collect the urine once your dog starts to urinate, so make sure you are ready to act quickly.Stand beside or behind your dog as you slide the container between his legs.
Step 5: The container needs to be in the urine stream.
It should be easy to collect the urine.When your female dog squats, approach her slowly.She needs to slide the container between her legs.The container should be set on the ground.Some urine may be on your hand if you hold the container.If your hand gets urine on it, have some wipes nearby.The urine needs to be in the container.If the urine is hitting the ground, you may need to move the container.Allow your female dog to finish urinating before you move the container.
Step 6: Pick up the container.
If you were able to get the urine sample, that's great!If you can, cover the container as soon as possible.If you use a container with a matching lid, cover it.If you used a pie plate, pour the urine into a container with a sealable lid.If you have to, cover it with two layers of plastic wrap.After covering the container, wash your hands.
Step 7: Take the sample with you to your vet's office.
The most accurate urinalysis results are provided by a fresh urine sample.Within a few hours of collection, the urine should be examined.Take the urine sample to the vet as soon as possible.
Step 8: The urine sample can be kept in a cool place.
You need to store the urine sample at your home until your appointment if you can't drop it off right away.If you want the urine to stay cool, place it in the fridge or small cooler.The urine sample should be wrapped in a plastic bag before being put in the fridge.A cooler is the better choice if you don't want the urine sample close to your food.A urine sample that is more than a day old may not give accurate results.If there is more than 12 hours between collecting your female dog's urine sample and the appointment with your vet, you should let them know how old the sample is so they can decide if a new one is necessary.
Step 9: Someone is willing to help you.
It may be difficult to do by yourself if you're getting urine from your female dog for the first time.A friend or family member can help you.They can either hold the leash or collect the sample.
Step 10: Don't be rushed.
You may not be able to get a urine sample from your dog.If you have time before your appointment, try to collect a sample after your dog has had some water or eaten a meal.You may have to be patient with your dog as you try to get a sample.
Step 11: Contact the vet.
You might not be able to get the urine sample.When you figure out what you are doing, your dog may stop urinating, or the urine may not have gotten into the container.Contact your vet if you can't get the sample.One of the vet's staff can take your dog outside to get a urine sample.