Diagnostics

Pet Laboratory Services

With our advanced laboratory, most blood analysis can be run during your pet’s appointment, eliminating the need for referrals or follow up visits. A complete blood count takes just 60 seconds and can determine signs of infection and blood disorders, while our blood chemistry machines can aid in quickly diagnosing kidney, liver and other metabolic disorders. Endocrine and Electrolytes can be evaluated in minutes in case of emergencies. We have multiple machines to back up and compare results. Our extensive lab aids our staff in providing the best care you can ask for your beloved pet.

Radiology for Pets

Our hospital is equipped with a state of the art Digital X-Ray system’ which enables us to report findings rapidly. The benefits of this system include improved quality, enabling us to see foreign bodies, bone, and organ detail that traditional film does not show. We also have the capability to perform Contrast Barium Series and Double Contrast Cystography, which are common procedures. Our system also provides enhancements such as enlargement capabilities and computerized enhancements such as measurements and notations. The reduced radiation required makes it safer for your pet and our staff, and the results are available more quickly than with the traditional x-ray. We can now produce a digitized copy for our clients and send images to a radiologists for a consult within minutes. These advanced diagnostic tools allow our veterinary staff to diagnose and treat your pet quickly and effectively.

Ultrasound for Pets

Diagnostic ultrasound for pets has been an incredible advance in veterinary medicine. The ability to use ultrasound to look inside the abdomen or chest of an animal means that we can often quickly and non-invasively investigate a host of different health conditions. Ultrasound scans, also called sonograms, use high-frequency sound waves to form images of tissues within the body. The sound waves are reflected by the patient’s tissues and these reflected sound waves are recorded and displayed as a visual image. This occurs in “real time”, meaning that the images are immediately displayed on a screen, and events such as blood flow, heart beats, and gastrointestinal movement can be observed as they occur. Abdominal ultrasound can be used to examine the liver, gall bladder, spleen, kidneys, bladder, prostate, uterus, ovaries, adrenal glands, stomach, and intestines. This can help us to pinpoint the cause of common pet health issues such as vomiting, elevated kidney or liver values on blood tests, abnormal urination, unexplained weight loss, and much more. We can also use ultrasound to look at some of the structures in the thorax (chest).

Endoscopy for Pets

Endoscopy is a minimally-invasive procedure that aids us in the diagnosis and management of some diseases your pet may develop. It allows us to view inside your pet’s body and visualize the organs and internal systems without performing invasive surgery. Endoscopy involves the use of endoscopes, or small cameras, which can be guided throughout the body via small incisions or naturally-existing orifices. The endoscope is a tube with a camera and light on the tip. The endoscope itself will be either rigid or flexible, depending upon the procedure. We are able to take biopsies utilizing specialized instruments inserted through a channel in the endoscope. Endoscopy may be recommended after a thorough physical examination and other diagnostic testing for your pet has been performed. This non-surgical procedure minimizes the time your pet is under anesthesia and usually reduces the need for a hospital stay.  For examination of the intestinal tract, fasting may be required for 24-48 hours.  Most patients will go home the day of the procedure and will not experience pain or discomfort following the procedure.  Complications from endoscopy itself are rare and will be discussed with you at the time of the procedure. Endoscopic procedures include: GI endoscopy (examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract), Bronchoscopy (examination of the lungs), Colonoscopy (examination of the colon), and Rhinoscopy (examination of the nose and nasal passages).