Which type of testing is generally involved in a urinalysis?

A urinalysis primarily involves testing for urine concentration and composition. This diagnostic procedure assesses various components of the urine, such as its physical appearance, specific gravity, pH, presence of proteins, glucose, ketones, and other substances that can help evaluate the health of an animal’s kidneys, urinary tract, and overall metabolic function.

The concentration aspect examines how well the kidneys are concentrating urine, which can provide insights into kidney function and hydration status. The composition aspect allows for the detection of abnormalities that might indicate disease processes, such as urinary tract infections, diabetes mellitus, or kidney disease.

Other options, while important in veterinary medicine, are not part of a standard urinalysis. Blood cell counts are relevant for bloodwork that evaluates the health of the bloodstream and immune function. X-ray imaging pertains to visualizing internal structures and diagnosing issues related to bones and organs, not urine. Skin scrapings are a dermatological diagnostic tool to examine skin infections or conditions and are unrelated to urinalysis. This specificity distinguishes urine analyses’ focus on the urinary system and its functions.