When a dog is suspected of having kidney disease,
canine urinalysis
is typically the first step taken in the diagnostic process. The
veterinarian collects a urine sample from the dog and conducts several
dip tests and macroscopic and microscopic examinations on the urine to
determine if kidney disease is present. Once the urine sample has been
examined, blood work is done to not only confirm the diagnosis, but to
determine the extent to which the disease has progressed.