Final answer:
The average urine specific gravity for a healthy adult cat is 1.030, which is a measurement of the solute concentration in the urine. A higher or lower specific gravity can indicate various health issues. Adjustments to specific gravity measurements are made for temperature fluctuations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The average urine specific gravity for a healthy adult cat is 1.030. Specific gravity is a measure of the quantity of solutes per unit volume of a solution, which means it represents how concentrated the urine is with respect to solutes present in it. If the value is higher, it can indicate dehydration or infection, while a lower value may indicate issues such as renal failure or diabetes insipidus.
Specific gravity of urine is typically measured using a urinometer, which is calibrated at 15°C temperatures. It's important to note that specific gravity can be affected by the urine temperature, so adjustments are made for temperature differences: for every 3°C rise, add one digit to the last figure of the specific gravity recorded.
Total solids present in urine can also be calculated using a standardized coefficient, based on the specific gravity. With normal urine constituents and functionality of the kidneys, the specific gravity will reflect the kidney's ability to concentrate urine efficiently, thereby maintaining a balance of water and solutes in the body.