Influence of preanalytic and analytic variables in canine and feline urine specific gravity measurement by refractometer.

ABSTRACT: Urine specific gravity (USG), which is usually measured by refractometry, is an important indicator of renal concentrating ability. Few studies have evaluated refractometers with separate scales for canine and feline urine. Variables such as protein content or storage time may influence the USG. We compared the effects of measuring USG with a refractometer with single or separate scales for canine and feline urine, investigated inter- and intra-observer variability, and measured agreement between whole urine and supernatant. We evaluated the correlation between USG and osmolality, the influence of urinary protein on USG and osmolality, and the impact of storage time up to 6 mo. We examined 252 canine and 126 feline samples. Bland-Altman analysis revealed higher USG values of the single-sca

SUBMITTER: Mosch M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7003217 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature