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Collection of untainted urinary specimens from the bladder of an anesthetized rabbit

Lab Animal volume 45, pages 112–114 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

It is difficult to collect untainted urine specimens over short intervals of time during renal studies with rabbits. This is because both the ureters and the bladder of this species are relatively friable and minor manipulation can easily cause intraluminal bleeding. We have developed and refined an effective technique and protocol for placing an indwelling urinary bladder catheter into an anesthetized rabbit. The procedure is easy to perform and completely effective and reliable, allowing high-quality urinary specimens to be collected at intervals of 15–20 min over a period of 3–4 hours during a study of acute metabolic acidosis.

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Figure 1: A de Pezzer urethral catheter, which features a mushroom-shaped tip, a shaft and a funnel head.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Dr. Bindhu Nair for helping with the compiling of the references.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland–Medical University of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bahrain

    Patrick A. Walsh

  2. Department of Physiology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland

    Daniel J. O'Donovan

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  1. Patrick A. Walsh
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  2. Daniel J. O'Donovan
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Correspondence to Patrick A. Walsh.

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Walsh, P., O'Donovan, D. Collection of untainted urinary specimens from the bladder of an anesthetized rabbit. Lab Anim 45, 112–114 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/laban.953

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