Effect of collection time and exercise restriction on the prediction of urine protein excretion, using urine protein/creatinine ratio in dogs.

Nonproteinuric and proteinuric dogs were studied to determine whether the urine protein/creatinine ratio from a 24-hour urine sample could be used to predict urine protein excretion. Urine protein/creatinine ratios estimated from urine produced during daylight hours and from that produced during nighttime hours were compared to determine whether time of sample collection influenced the prediction of the urine protein excretion value. Urine protein/creatinine ratios in urine from male dogs were compared with those from female dogs to determine whether sex had an influence on the value. Hospitalized and nonhospitalized dogs were used to determine the effect of exercise restriction. The urine protein/creatinine ratio varied significantly between healthy and proteinuric dogs (P = 0.0001). It was not influenced by collection period or sex. Animals not confined to hospital cages had a significantly lower urine protein/creatinine ratio than did hospitalized animals confined to a cage (P = 0.003).