thepetbill

Diagnostics and laboratory tests

Basic urine screen prices at UK vets

A basic test of a urine sample.

Published prices

No practice on our list publishes this price yet: vet businesses with 15 or more practices or out-of-hours centres must publish it, if they offer it, on each practice's website from 23 December 2026, and smaller practices from 23 March 2027.

What it is

The official name says it includes a urine dipstick and a measurement of specific gravity, which shows how concentrated the urine is.

Official price-list name: Basic urine screen (including urine dipstick and measurement of specific gravity) (CMA Order, Schedule 1).

What's included

  • The official name says the screen includes a urine dipstick and a measurement of specific gravity.
  • Anything that is an essential part of the service, and VAT (Art. 7(2)(d) and (f))

Diagnostics and laboratory tests

Schedule 1 groups nine items as diagnostics and laboratory tests, and says all of them include interpretation: the price should cover a vet reading and explaining the result, not only taking the sample or the image.

Why the price varies

  • Further tests. More detailed urine tests are not part of this item.
  • Care plans. In the CMA's analysis, some large groups' plans included an annual urine screen (final report Appendix G, footnote 5).
  • Outside providers. If part of the work is done by someone else, such as an outside laboratory or a visiting specialist, the listed price must include their fees (Art. 7(2)(k)).

Questions to ask the practice

  • Does the price include collecting the sample?
  • Is a basic urine screen included in your care plan?

We explain prices, not treatment. Ask your vet about the clinical choices for your own pet.

The rules

What the practice's price list must show, with the Order's article references

The exact name from Schedule 1, “Basic urine screen (including urine dipstick and measurement of specific gravity)”, with no free-text description (Art. 7(2)(a)).

As for every item: each version on its own line with the standard one marked, a cat price and five dog bands where the price depends on the animal, and VAT included, kept up to date and changed before a higher price is charged (Art. 7(2)(b), (c), (f) and (g), and 7(5)).

A price that includes interpretation of the result (Schedule 1).

Any third-party fees for parts of the work done by someone else (Art. 7(2)(k)).

Large vet groups must publish from 23 December 2026 and smaller practices from 23 March 2027 (Art. 3 and 7).

Unhappy with a bill or a price? Our guide explains how to complain, from the practice's own process to free mediation.

Questions

Can I bring a sample from home?

Ask the practice how it wants samples collected; that is a practical and clinical question for them.

Why might my bill be higher than the listed price?

Listed prices are for the typical case. Each price list must say so, and must warn that prices may go up in more complex or complicated cases (Art. 7(2)(l)). The price must still include anything that is an essential part of the service (Art. 7(2)(d)).

How up to date are the prices here?

Every price shows the date we last checked it and links to the practice's own page. We re-check weekly, and daily from 23 to 31 December 2026. If a price looks wrong, email [email protected].

Sources

How we get prices

How to compare vet prices in the UKA practical checklist for comparing vet price lists fairly, from consultation minutes and vaccine bundles to out-of-hours cover and cremation.Pet care plans explained: what they cover, what they cost and how to compare themWhat a vet's monthly pet care plan includes, what the CMA found about whether plans save money, and the new rules on how practices must show plan contents and savings.What the CMA vet price rules mean for pet ownersFrom 23 December 2026 big vet groups must publish a standard price list. Here is what changes, when, and what you can do with it.