Reaction of the urine
|
-
It varies in different species and individuals, depending upon the diet and metabolism. In herbivores, the reaction is alkaline, where as in carnivores and omnivores, it is acidic.
- Horse - alkaline (pH 8)
- Cattle - alkaline (pH 7.4 to 8.4)
- Sheep - alkaline
- Pig - acidic or alkaline
- Dog - acidic (pH 6 to 7)
- Cat - acidic (pH 6 to 7)
- Man - usually acidic (pH 4.8 to 7.5)
- Reaction is detected using a litmus paper. Acid urine turns blue litmus red. Alkaline urine turns red litmus blue.
Interpretation
- Acidic urine
- Normal in carnivorous animals
- Nursing calves and foals that are on milk
- Diet with an excess of protein
- Starvation – catabolism of body proteins
- Fever
- Acidosis – both metabolic and respiratory
- Diabetes mellitus
- Uraemia
- Prolonged muscular activity
- Administration of acid salts
- Alkaline urine/font>
-
Normal in herbivorous animals
-
Vegetable diet
-
Cystitis
-
Urine retention – decomposition of urea to ammonia
-
Rapid absorption of transudates
-
Alkalosis – both metabolic and respiratory
-
Alkaline therapy
-
Urine becomes alkaline when the sample is kept at room temperature because of ammonia formation as a result of decomposition of urea.
|
Last modified: Wednesday, 14 September 2011, 8:52 AM