Increased specific gravity could indicate all of the following EXCEPT:

Increased specific gravity could indicate all of the following EXCEPT:

• A. chronic renal disease
• B. dehydration
• C. decreased water intake
• D. acute renal disease

Answer: (A)

Urine specific gravity shows how concentrated the urine is, reflecting hydration status and the kidney’s ability to concentrate. When an animal is dehydrated or drinking less water, the kidneys conserve water and produce more concentrated urine, raising the specific gravity. If the kidneys’ concentrating ability is impaired, as in chronic renal disease, the urine tends to be normal or dilute, giving a normal to low specific gravity rather than a high one. So increased specific gravity fits dehydration and decreased water intake (and can occur with some acute renal situations depending on stage), but it does not fit chronic renal disease, where concentrating ability is reduced. That makes chronic renal disease the exception.

Urine specific gravity shows how concentrated the urine is, reflecting hydration status and the kidney’s ability to concentrate. When an animal is dehydrated or drinking less water, the kidneys conserve water and produce more concentrated urine, raising the specific gravity. If the kidneys’ concentrating ability is impaired, as in chronic renal disease, the urine tends to be normal or dilute, giving a normal to low specific gravity rather than a high one. So increased specific gravity fits dehydration and decreased water intake (and can occur with some acute renal situations depending on stage), but it does not fit chronic renal disease, where concentrating ability is reduced. That makes chronic renal disease the exception.