Wash my dogs lady parts!

July 2, 2010 7:45 PM

How to wash my lady dogs neither region

I need to collect a sterile urine sample from my lady dog. The vet has instructed me to wash her lady areas before I collect it so as not to further contaminate it. What's the best way to do this. She's a fluffy collie Shepard mix.

posted by slowtree to Pets & Animals (10 answers total)

Baby wipes? (That's what my parents' vet has told them to use on their dog to prevent it from reinfecting itself with giardia.)
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 8:16 PM on July 2, 2010

Seconding baby wipes. That's what (at least some) urologists have humans use before collecting samples in their offices, though I'm only assuming that's OK for dogs too.
posted by dayintoday at 8:24 PM on July 2, 2010

They actually have "pet wipes" at places like Petsmart, but I couldn't tell you if there's any need for these, which are probably more expensive than human wipes.
posted by Dee Xtrovert at 9:14 PM on July 2, 2010

Best answer: I've used regular baby wipes on my male dog's hind end without any issues, but a washcloth with plain soap and water works better. Use dog shampoo, as human soap can be too dry for dogs' skin. Even baby shampoo can be irritating, although I guess it really depends on the dog.

Any chance you could get her shaved for this procedure? If she has long fur, it may be easier for everyone to take her to a groomer for a shave and a wash, especially if you might be nervous poking around down there.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 9:14 PM on July 2, 2010

You can buy alcohol wipes at a drug store ---they have them in packs of 100 or so (you use them if you have to give yourself a shot, for example).
posted by leahwrenn at 10:41 PM on July 2, 2010

Don't use alcohol on your pet down there, ouch! Plain soap and water, benzalkonium chloride or castile soap wipes is what should be used!
posted by 6:1 at 10:51 PM on July 2, 2010 [1 favorite]

Alcohol wipes have alcohol in them (isopropyl, to be specific). Baby wipes, sani-wipes, handi-wipes, pet wipes, etc, have gentler things, and moisturizers and stuff like that.
posted by SLC Mom at 11:45 PM on July 2, 2010

The wipes doctors use for urine samples are not alcohol wipes, they're benzalkonium chloride. They sell these at drugstores.
posted by ishotjr at 6:31 AM on July 3, 2010

If they actually need a STERILE sample, they need to take it from her bladder with a needle or catheter. If this is for a culture & sensitivity test, you can easily end up with false positives by sending a voided sample, since there is no way to get a truly sterile sample if it's voiced. If you just need a midstream clean-catch sample for a urinalysis, use baby wipes, but if you need an actually sterile sample, it should be done by cystocentesis.
posted by biscotti at 2:49 PM on July 3, 2010

It doesn't hurt my bits, though, so what is different (I believe you, I'm just curious)?

Alcohol on mucous membranes is not good. Here is the OSHA web site. Look under Health Hazard Info.
posted by 6:1 at 12:25 PM on July 4, 2010