Urine protein:creatinine ratio (UPC)
Urine ·Also called: UPC, UPCR, protein creatinine ratio, urine protein to creatinine
What it is
Dividing urine protein by urine creatinine cancels out the effect of concentration, so a dilute morning sample and a concentrated afternoon one give comparable answers. It is the standard quantitative measure of proteinuria in dogs and cats.
Why your vet measures it
Persistent protein loss damages the kidneys over time and shortens life, and it can be slowed with medication and diet. The UPC is how that decision is made and how the response is tracked, so it is often repeated several times rather than measured once.
What a high result can mean
- Protein-losing kidney disease, where the filter is damaged
- Inflammation, infection or bleeding in the urinary tract — which must be excluded before the number means anything
- High blood pressure
- Some infectious diseases, including tick-borne infections and leishmaniasis
- Cushing's disease in dogs
What a low result can mean
- A low ratio is the normal, healthy result
Dogs and cats differ
The thresholds differ slightly between species — cats are considered proteinuric at a lower ratio than dogs — and both are interpreted alongside the IRIS kidney stage rather than in isolation. Your vet will usually confirm a raised result on two or three separate samples before starting treatment.
Questions worth asking your vet
- Was infection and inflammation ruled out before this was measured?
- Should we repeat it to confirm before starting treatment?
- Has my pet's blood pressure been checked?
Related terms
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