[Stones] obtaining urine sample

[ABSiev at aol.com]

All of this can be headed off by obtaining the urine sample at home and 
bringing it in to the vet with the piggie.  Just put your piggie in a very, very 
clean, empty rubbermaid-type storage box and keep it right next to you till the 
piggie pees.  scoop up the piggie immediately and put him or her back in his 
or her cage.  syringe up the urine and put it in a small, scrupulously clean 
bottle (or even leave it in the syringe, and put the syringe in a small plastic 
bag).  refrigerate till you go to the vet.
 
this will not produce a guaranteed-sterile urine sample, which may be what 
the vet was going for by using a needle (in that case, if there are bacteria in 
the sample you KNOW there is infection.  by any other means, the sample could 
be contaminated.)  however, it's pretty darn good, and utterly painless.  if 
you are looking for blood, sludge, etc., rather than infection, it's perfect.
 
other than that, very slight pressure on the piggie's bladder will usually 
produce an immediate sample at the vet's office (where the piggie is probably 
scared anyway).  there is no need to squeeze.
 
Amy



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