However, this test is influenced by the pH of the urine, and, due to the presence of cauxin in feline urine, false–positive reactions are common, especially in mature cats.A positive reaction on the protein pad is elicited from trace (5–20 mg/dL) to 4+ (> 1000 mg/dL).Test strip protein pads are more sensitive to albumin compared to globulins, hemoglobin, Bence-Jones proteins, and mucoproteins. The glomerulus does not typically filter larger plasma proteins, such as albumin and globulins, but it freely filters smaller proteins, which are reabsorbed in the proximal tubules of the kidneys unless there are significantly increased amounts of these proteins, or impairment of renal tubule reabsorption is present. Normally, there is little to no protein present in urine. In healthy pets, urine pH is most dependent on diet and whether the patient has been fasted.
Alkaline urine in a dog or cat should prompt an evaluation to determine if white cells and/or bacteria are present (often evident in urine sediment).Increase in urine pH (alkaline urine) may result from urinary tract infections with urease producing bacteria (that convert urea to ammonia).Systemic acid–base abnormalities change urine pH because the kidneys offset the effects of pH change in the body. When a patient is ill, urine pH can be affected by acid–base status. The normal urine pH range for dogs and cats is 6 to 7.5. The test pads for urine specific gravity, urobilinogen, nitrite, and leukocytes are not used for veterinary patients. Not all chemistry tests are useful or reliable in animal species. Urine chemistry test strip analyzers are also available and provide printed reports of results. These tests differ in the reagents used and number of tests provided ( Figure 1).
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