If we have done an exam on your dog within the last year, an appointment is not necessary, just bring us a urine sample.
One of the most common calls we get is when a client finds out there dog is peeing in the house or the cat isn’t using the litter box. When a dog that is usually house trained is found to be having accidents, it is often due to medical reasons. If a cat doesn’t use the litter box, the cause could be medical or behavioral. When we get calls from cat owners, we normally have a series of questions that will help us decide if it could possibly be behavioral. We’ll ask questions like, “Have you added another pet to the house? a new person? new furniture? new cat litter? new work or school schedule? have you moved?” If there hasn’t been any changes that might be causing Kitty to act out, then it’s safe to assume that it is a medical issue. To help find the medical reason as to why Fido and Kitty are having accidents, we need a sample of their urine to test it. Getting that sample isn’t always the easiest.
For our feline friends, getting a urine sample from them is tricky. For the best results, we normally ask our clients to drop off Kitty in the morning so Kitty can hang out with us and their own personal litter box while we wait for them to pee. And wait. And wait some more. Especially if Kitty peed right before coming in, or better yet, while on their way in to see us! Cats will often hang out with us for HOURS before they finally give in to their full bladders and give us what we’ve been waiting for.
Our canine companions are a little easier to acquire urine from but sometimes, even they can be difficult. Especially if your dog is let loose in a yard and not used to having anyone near them while doing their business. If you walk your dog on a leash while they potty, being in their personal space while peeing is something they’re already used to. Whether on a leash or not, trying to catch urine from your dog can get messy, particularly if you have a dog low to the ground like a dachshund or a basset hound. My suggestion to dog owners, no matter what the breed is this: Get a stick, whether it be a stick out of your yard, an actual yard stick or a dowel rod, and tape a small butter bowl or dixie cup to the end of it and this will allow you to nonchalantly (hahaha) place it under your pet as they begin to urinate. We only need one tablespoon of urine to test it and for the best results, get it to us within 2 hours of collecting it. If you are unable to get it to us immediately after collection, refrigerating the sample is recommended.
No one wants their pet having accidents in the house, above all else, we want our pets to be healthy. Thankfully you have us and urine luck!