The effect of substrate composition and storage time on urine specific gravity in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of substrate composition and storage time on urine specific gravity in dogs.


METHODS
A descriptive cohort study of 15 dogs. The urine specific gravity of free catch urine samples was analysed during a 5-hour time period using three separate storage methods; a closed syringe, a diaper pad and non-absorbable cat litter.


RESULTS
The urine specific gravity increased over time in all three substrates. The syringe sample had the least change from baseline and the diaper sample had the greatest change from baseline. The urine specific gravity for the litter and diaper samples had a statistically significant increase from the 1-hour to the 5-hour time point.


CONCLUSIONS
The urine specific gravity from canine urine stored either on a diaper or in a non-absorbable litter increased over time. Although the change was found to be statistically significant over the 5-hour study period it is unlikely to be clinically significant.
Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
E
E
Steinberg
K
K
Drobatz
L
L
Aronson
D000818:Animals; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004285:Dogs / Q000652:urine*; D013046:Specific Gravity; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D013997:Time Factors; D016482:Urinalysis / Q000662:veterinary*; D014556:Urine / Q000737:chemistry*