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Diagnostic approach to hematuria in dogs and cats

S Dru Forrester1

  • 1Small Animal Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, 309 East Second Street, Pomona, CA 91766, USA. sdforrester@westernu.edu

The Veterinary Clinics of North America. Small Animal Practice
|June 30, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Persistent hematuria in dogs and cats signals urogenital disease. Thorough evaluation is crucial to pinpoint the bleeding source and underlying cause for effective treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Urology
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Hematuria, the presence of blood in urine, is a significant indicator of urogenital disease in both dogs and cats.
  • Persistent hematuria, whether visible (macroscopic) or detected microscopically, necessitates a comprehensive diagnostic approach.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline the diagnostic process for identifying the source and cause of hematuria in companion animals.
  • To emphasize the importance of a systematic evaluation for appropriate treatment recommendations.

Main Methods:

  • Initial assessment involves detailed history taking and physical examination to localize the bleeding to the urinary or genital tract.
  • Further diagnostics include laboratory tests (urinalysis, urine culture), imaging (radiographs, ultrasound), and tissue evaluation (cytology, histopathology).

Main Results:

  • History and physical exam aid in localizing the disease to specific parts of the urinary or genital systems.
  • A multi-modal diagnostic strategy is often required to identify the underlying etiology of hematuria.

Conclusions:

  • A thorough diagnostic workup is essential for determining the cause of hematuria in dogs and cats.
  • Exploratory celiotomy may be considered if the source remains elusive, particularly in suspected cases of idiopathic renal hematuria.

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