Diagnosis of kidney and urinary tract diseases
Diagnosis of kidney and bladder disease and urinary stones: urinalysis, blood tests including SDMA, ultrasound, X-ray and blood pressure measurement — all on site.
What it involves
The kidneys and bladder give signals that are easy to mistake for “whims”: more frequent trips to the litter tray, urinating outside it, increased thirst, weight loss. Urinary tract diagnostics aim to distinguish cystitis from urinary stones, chronic kidney disease from diabetes, and idiopathic cystitis in cats from a bacterial infection.
The basis is a urine test in our laboratory (specific gravity, dipstick, sediment, protein-to-creatinine ratio) and blood tests measuring creatinine, urea, phosphorus and SDMA — a marker that detects a decline in kidney function earlier than traditional parameters. Ultrasound shows the structure of the kidneys, bladder wall thickness and stones; X-ray shows radiopaque stones in the kidneys, ureters and urethra.
The result allows us to establish the stage of kidney disease (IRIS) and plan treatment: diet, medication, fluid therapy or — for stones — surgery.
When it is used
We recommend testing at any change in urination: frequent urination, painful straining, blood in the urine, urinating outside the litter tray, and also with increased thirst, weight loss, vomiting and bad breath in a senior pet. For cats and dogs over 7–8 years of age we offer a preventive kidney check once a year.
A male cat that goes into the litter tray, strains and passes nothing may have a blocked urethra — this is a life-threatening emergency. During opening hours, please phone and come straight away.
Indications: symptoms that should prompt a visit
- A cat keeps going into the litter tray, sits there for a long time and passes only drops of urine.
- Blood is visible in the urine of a dog or cat, or the urine has a pink tinge.
- The animal has started urinating in the house, although it was previously house-trained.
- A cat or dog drinks much more and more often asks to go out or for the litter to be changed.
- An older cat is losing weight, has a dull coat and an unpleasant smell from its mouth.
- A male cat strains in the litter tray without passing anything and becomes lethargic — urgent.
- A dog has recurrent cystitis despite antibiotics.
Conditions for which we use it in particular
Diagnostics beforehand
The most valuable sample is morning urine: for the test we can use a sample collected at home (we hand out special non-absorbent litter for cats at reception) or collect urine here by puncturing the bladder under ultrasound guidance — this is the only method that allows a reliable culture. We carry out the urine and blood tests in our laboratory the same day.
Abdominal ultrasound will assess the kidneys, ureters, bladder and prostate; X-ray will show radiopaque stones. In every patient with kidney disease we measure blood pressure — hypertension is common and needs treatment.
How it proceeds
The visit begins with a history about drinking, the litter tray and diet, and a clinical examination with palpation of the bladder and kidneys. We take blood and urine, measure blood pressure and perform an ultrasound — ideally with a full bladder, so please do not let the dog out just before the visit. The whole thing takes about 45–60 minutes, and we discuss the results the same day.
If we diagnose urinary stones, we use the type of crystals in the sediment and the ultrasound picture to decide whether the stones will dissolve with diet or a cystotomy operation is needed. For a blocked urethra in a male cat, we unblock it under anaesthesia and hospitalise the patient on fluid therapy.
Aftercare
After the tests alone the animal goes home with no restrictions. We start treatment straight away: a kidney or urinary diet, medication, increased water intake (fountains, wet food). We discuss culture results and sent-out tests by phone.
We schedule checks for kidney disease every 3–6 months (blood, urine, blood pressure). Please call immediately if the animal stops passing urine, starts vomiting or is lethargic.
Frequently asked questions
How do I collect a urine sample from a cat?
The simplest way is with non-absorbent litter (we provide it at reception) or an empty, washed litter tray. Bring the sample in a clean container within 2–4 hours, keeping it in the fridge until then.
Is kidney disease curable?
Chronic kidney disease cannot be reversed, but when detected early enough and managed (diet, medication, blood pressure control) it allows the animal to live comfortably for years.
Is blood in a cat's urine always an infection?
In young cats, most often not — it is idiopathic cystitis related to stress. An antibiotic without a culture does not help; a urine test and changes to the home environment are needed.
What is SDMA?
It is a blood marker that rises when the kidneys lose about 25–40% of their function — much earlier than creatinine. It makes it possible to detect the disease at a stage when it can still be slowed.
We manage every case individually. The scope, indications and course described above are indicative; we agree the exact diagnostic and treatment plan during the consultation. This content is for information only and does not replace a veterinary consultation.
Have questions about diagnosis of kidney and urinary tract diseases?
Call us or book a consultation. We will set out the diagnostic and treatment plan in writing, before you decide.