Comparison of cystocentesis versus home sampling to determine urinary protein: Creatinine ratio and urine specific gravity in cats

Abstract Background Urinalysis is necessary for the diagnostic evaluation of chronic kidney disease in cats. Performing cystocentesis is not always feasible, but data comparing urine obtained by cystocentesis in the clinic with voided samples collected at home are lacking in cats. Objectives To compare urinary protein:creatinine ratio (UPC) and urine specific gravity (USG) and to detect clinically relevant changes in proteinuria substage or urine concentration between urine collected at home and in‐clinic by cystocentesis in cats. Animals Ninety‐two healthy and diseased client‐owned cats. Methods Prospective study. Owners collected voided urine at home and within 1 to 15 hours, cystocentesis was performed in the clinic. Results In a subset of motivated owners, 55% succeeded in collecting urine at home. Overall, UPC was higher (mean ±SD difference = 0.09 ±0.22; P 0.4) was present in paired urine samples from 28% of cats. In 18% of cats, urine concentrating ability (USG