[Daisy1339]

Okay, I'm hoping that someone on here (with dogs) has had to deal with this at some point.

I have 3 dogs. One of them is a toy pomeranian (9 pounds). I have to get a urine sample asap. The vet suspects he may have a kidney infection because of some blood test results. She said that if we can't get a sample then we can drop him off and they'll get it from him. I can't imagine what that will entail for him! My DH said, "Uh, NO! We will get the sample ourselves."

I've gotten samples in the past from my female dogs very easily using a ladle, but HE is a BOY and is not "feeling" me sneaking up on him with the ladle.

Any suggestions?? Please, share.

[aclee]

We have gotten several samples from our male corgi, but he doesn't lift a leg...I'll let you know what works for us. We use tinfoil that we make a big cup out of. If you have the larger commercial size it works well. We would tape that to the end of a broom. (We had to do this in the front yard!) We also would stay right near where our other dogs peed, and right near his favorite spots. We usually each had one. We walked him on a leash and kept him out till he gave us something.

If the tinfoil makes too much noise, clean out a disposable container like from sour cream or whatever. We always save the plastic lid that comes on the take out container with the tinfoil bottom. One of those bad boys taped to a broom and I could get pee from a female tea cup chihuahua. Those are fabulous.

Good luck

(BTW: Most times to get a sample they will be pretty non invasive, they will give him lots of water, maybe even a fluid IV, and then leave him in one area with a cleaned floor till he goes....if you can't get it, just ask how they would. Might be a catheter though, and my male dog went spastic when they put catheters in!)

[DianeS]

Take him for a walk on a short leash, and then you won't be "sneaking". He'll know you're there, and he won't care that you bump his back legs, because he'll likely be too intent on "marking" to worry about it.

It's not difficult or painful to get a sample at the vet's. Ask how they do it if that concerns you. Most run a catheter, which isn't pleasant but is far from painful, and it only takes a few seconds. So I"d try to get the sample the way you're doing it, but I wouldn't sweat it if you need to take him in.

[binkybear]

We had to get samples from our last female dog all the time, she had bladder cancer and it was important for her treatment. We just walked her on a leash (in the fenced yard) and slid a flat tupperware type lid/shallow container under her as she started to squat and held it there until she was done..they move and it can tip or spill. The poor thing just got use to it. We wore disposalble gloves, we have huge boxes of from BJs Wholesale. She was an easy dog to cathetar too, smaller are tougher I'm sure.

I'd suggest a container that's wide enough to catch no matter what angle, but small enough to use with such a small dog. Disposable ziplocs come in all sizes, check them out.
Just get up close, let him start and do what yah gotta do to get something, whether leg lifter or squater. Most tests don't need a lot of liquid (according to our vets they didn't anyway). Good Luck and I hope you're little pup is feelin' better!

[linda512]

I had to do it from a female dog, but she was skittish. I did it in the morning after a long night without peeing and then put a tinfoil "cup" underneath her. I live in the city and the peope working in the drugstore watching me enjoyed it! If he really has to go it will be easier. Good luck.

[mrskt]

Hm... maybe use safety/guaze tape to tape a plastic baggie on him? That's similar to what they do to babies in the ER...

[Daisy1339]

Originally Posted by mrskt

Hm... maybe use safety/guaze tape to tape a plastic baggie on him? That's similar to what they do to babies in the ER...

Hmmm.......you might be on to something! I think I'm going to try this, I think.....somehow. Although, I'm fairly certain he will stand like a statue if I try to tape a baggie on him.

Listen, thanks, guys! I knew you'd come through for me!
LOL!! We sure do get some doosies of OT topics, don't we?!

He is so skiddish. I mean, if a plastic bag floats into our backyard and it wasn't there earlier when he was out there to pee, he will hide behind my legs in fear.

I love my boy! My DH is very protective of him, too. I'll ask the vet tomorrow about how they get a sample. He is very mannerly, so he will hold onto his urine and then be mortified if he has an accident, if that's how they get one. If it's a catheter, then I'm going to try everything I can before I have to subject him to that.

Thanks, again!!

[ncsingledad]

First thing in the morning is the best time to try to sneak up on him to catch a sample. You also might try "hiding" a shallow container in a bush and leash walk him and encourage him to mark there.

If you can't get the sample, most likely your vet will either try having their staff leash walk him and get one or (more likely) they'll get it via cystotomy (i'm sure i misspelled that). They use a small needle and withdraw urine directly from the bladder right through the abdominal wall. It's only minimally uncomfortable for them, and very quick and easy. Nothing like having to place a catheter.

[JustCourtney]

We had a poodle growing up that developed diabetes, and we frequently had to provide urine samples. My dad took a yard stick, and taped a dixie cup to it. While walking him in the morning, he could "sneak" it in and catch a bit without making a lot of noise, or touching him since it was so small.

Good luck!

[adoptingourfirst]

I just have to say that although I know this is no laughing matter, I am about to pee myself reading this!!!!! We have 3 female dogs and I can't imagine having to try and get a urine sample from any of them. Thanks all - I really needed a good chuckle tonight! I really am sorry though that your dog isn't feeling good. Best of luck!

[Forever_family]

My DH is a Veterinarian. They use a large disposable pie tin. I've seen him do it on dogs that he is caring for, he brings them outside and mid-stream sneaks it under there. Quite an art to the process with male dogs.