What is a common sign of dehydration reflected in urine analysis?

Increased specific gravity is a common sign of dehydration reflected in urine analysis because specific gravity measures the concentration of solutes in the urine. When an animal is dehydrated, the body retains water to conserve fluids, resulting in urine that is more concentrated. This means that the specific gravity will be higher, indicating that there is a greater concentration of waste products relative to the amount of water in the urine.

A decreased pH could indicate other conditions such as acidosis or certain types of metabolic disturbances, while a cloudy appearance may suggest the presence of cells, bacteria, or mucus, which are not directly related to hydration status. The presence of crystals in urine can arise from factors such as diet or metabolic issues and also does not specifically reflect dehydration. Hence, increased specific gravity is a clear indicator of dehydration in urine analysis.