Evaluation of Heller's reaction and the urine dipstick method alone or in combination to detect proteinuria in sheep.

Background: Urine dipstick and Heller's reaction are easy first-line screening tests for the detection of proteinuria; however, the performance of these methods in alkaline ovine urine is largely unknown.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of Heller's reaction alone or in combination with dipstick for the detection of proteinuria in sheep, using the urine protein to creatinine ratio (UP/C) with two cut-off values as the reference method.

Methods: Ninety-eight urine samples were collected from sheep using the transient apnea method.

Effect of storage time on the urine protein: creatinine ratio in alkaline ovine urine.

The urine protein:creatinine (UPC) ratio is considered the reference method to assess proteinuria. Its diagnostic value in ovine medicine needs further elucidation. In population monitoring and/or for research purposes, it is convenient to collect many samples simultaneously and store them for later analysis.