The aim of this thesis was to develop and improve laboratory analysis methods in the field of ve-terinary medicine. It was implemented as a project in co-operation with the assigner, the veteri-nary clinic Akuutti in September 2011. In veterinary clinics veterinary assistants perform laborato-ry tests and produce the laboratory test results.

The objectives of our thesis were to produce a practical guide to microscopic urine sediment analysis for dogs and cats and to apply knowledge of human laboratory medicine to laboratories in veterinary clinics. Our aim was also to improve repeatability of microscopic urine sediment analysis and thus the reliability and quality of the test. The guide includes specific instructions for the entire procedure of urine sediment analysis, including pictures and descriptions of the findings in microscopic analysis.

The information in this guide was based on Finnish and international veterinary and human labor-atory medicine literature. Veterinary clinic Akuutti provided us with the urine samples and we shot the pictures in this guide ourselves. The preliminary version of this guide was tested in use by ve-terinary assistants at Akuutti in the fall of 2011. Veterinary assistants found the guide to be suffi-cient for their needs in demonstrating the laboratory test. This guide can be utilized in the work and education of veterinary assistants and as an introductory guide for new employees.