EVALUATION OF IN-HOUSE URINE DIPSTICK, REFERENCE LABORATORY URINALYSIS, AND URINE PROTEIN: CREATININE RATIO FROM A COLONY OF CALLIMICOS (CALLIMICO GOELDII).

Abstract

This study evaluated results from an in-house (IH) laboratory dipstick, a reference laboratory (RL) urinalysis, and urine protein : creatinine (UPC) ratios from callimicos ( Callimico goeldii ). Urine was collected from 25 individuals comprising a single colony under professional care in North America and compared based on laboratory, sex, age class, and presence or absence of a normal urinalysis. Urine specific gravity and pH between laboratories were statistically different. Overall, 56% to 100% of animals had at least a trace amount of protein in their urine. In comparing normal and abnormal urinalyses, IH dipstick protein, RL dipstick protein, RL pH, quantitative protein measurement, and UPC ratios were all statistically different. Eleven animals (44%) had UPC ratios that were ≥0.5. Based on results of this study, UPC > 0.3 was found to be abnormal and supportive of renal compromise in callimicos. Higher protein concentrations on the IH dipstick, the quantitative protein concentration, and UPC ratio in the 1- to 4-yr-old age class were the only significant age-related differences. There was no association between any categorical variable (glucose, blood, bilirubin, ketones, urobilinogen) and abnormal urinalysis. There were no differences between sexes. Since renal disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in this species, the authors recommend including routine urinalyses and UPC ratios as part of preventive care programs for callimicos. These data provide the first published information on urinalysis and UPC ratios in callimicos and will serve as a helpful reference for interpreting results and evaluating patients with renal disease.