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Urine Normal Composition (view source)
Revision as of 19:18, 1 September 2008
, 19:18, 1 September 2008no edit summary
It is normal for urine to have a slight odour from the ammonia. The odour increases with concentration and in some species such as the cat a pungent urine is normal. However a strong smelling urine could indicate a pathological state
It is normal for urine to have a slight odour from the ammonia. The odour increases with concentration and in some species such as the cat a pungent urine is normal. However a strong smelling urine could indicate a pathological state
==Urine Specific Gravity==
==Urine Chemistry==
The following are common chemicals or parameters whose levels in urine change in pathological vs normal conditions. It is therefore important to appreciate their normal levels
===pH===
In dogs and cats an acidc pH is normal. In the ruminants and horses the opposite is true and the urine is alkali. The pH does however vary with diet and medications as well as in pathological states so this needs to be accounted for.
===Protein===
It is not common to find protein in the urine of normal animals. However it can be normal for small amounts to be found in the urine of dogs with a high specific gravity. Therefore this needs to be taken into account.
===Glucose===
The presence of glucose in the urine is termed glucosuria and occurs when the level of glucose reaches the [[Renal Glucose Homeostasis - Anatomy & Physiology#Filtration and Reabsorption|renal threshold]] for glucose reabsorption. It is not normal to find glucose in the urine.
===Ketones===
It is not normal for ketones to be present in the urine and they are indicative of pathological states
===Bilirubin and Urobilinogen===
Small amounts of bilirubin can be found in dogs with concentrated urine therefore this needs to be interpreted in light of the urine specific gravity. However as a rule it is not normal to find bilirubin in urine.
Urobilinogen is formed from bilirubin in the intestine and small quantities are normally found in the urine.
===Blood===
The presence of blood in the urine is not normal and is usually related to a pathological state.