Diagnostic Services

Laboratory Evaluation

With our on-site laboratory, we are capable of obtaining diagnostic data within minutes to hours of seeing an ill patient. This timely service is invaluable especially in a situation where a patient is in critical condition and time is of the essence.

We offer diagnostic blood testing, such as blood counts, blood chemistries, parvovirus testing, heartworm testing, feline leukemia and FIV testing.

Other available laboratory services are urinalysis, fecal analysis, cytology, histopathology and skin scrapings, as well as microscopic evaluation of bacteria, yeast and parasites.

Pre-Anesthetic Laboratory Evaluation

We strongly recommend a preliminary laboratory work-up on all pets prior to anesthesia. It is especially important for pets that have not undergone an anesthetic or surgery previously to ensure that their internal organs (especially their liver and kidneys, which clear the body of some of the drugs used for anesthesia) are normal prior to starting the procedure. It is also valuable to assess whether the pet has adequate numbers of platelets to ensure proper clotting, as well as sufficient red and white blood cells to assure proper oxygenation of tissues during the procedure and speedy, uncomplicated healing afterwards.

It is impossible to do a thorough assessment of these areas with only a physical examination of a pet. Testing requires only a small sample of blood taken from the patient on the day of the surgical procedure, with results being available within a few minutes.

Senior Pet Testing

Senior pet testing is designed to assess your pet's internal function and often aids in the early detection and treatment of common underlying diseases of older pets.

Three senior pet evaluation packages are offered; a bronze, silver and gold package. These packages include various laboratory tests, as well as an electrocardigram in the gold package. Please speak to your veterinarian about which senior package would be best for your pet.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Although heart problems are more often diagnosed in older pets, they can affect pets at any age.

Some information can be derived from a physical examination of a pet, but the electrocardiogram is far more accurate at assessing the rate and rhythm of a pet's heart.

Our ECG's are transmitted over the telephone to a cardiologist in New York who assesses and provides a detailed report about the status of your pet's heart.

Pre-Anesthetic Electrocardiograms (ECG)

An ECG is also strongly recommended for pets undergoing surgery and procedures requiring an anesthetic.

An evaluation of your pet's heart by means of an ECG will allow us to assess whether your pet might be at risk for anesthesia. If abnormalities are detected, the anesthetic protocol may be changed or your pet's procedure may be postponed or even cancelled if the risk is too great.

Radiology

Having x-ray equipment on the premises allows us to assess and diagnose many problems quickly and efficiently.

X-ray gives us the ability to assess the status of any physical injuries, anomolies, or malformations that may be affecting your pet.

Ultrasound

Ultrasonography, or ultrasound, is a diagnostic imaging technique similar to radiography (X-rays) and is usually used in conjunction with radiography and other diagnostic measures. It allows visualization of the deep structures of the body.

Ultrasound can be used for a variety of purposes including: examination of the pet's heart, kidneys, liver, gallbladder, bladder, determine and monitor pregnancy, detect fluid, cysts, tumors or abscesses.

Endoscopy

Endoscopy is a test that uses a very small video camera that is placed on the end of a long, thin, flexible rod.

This diagnostic procedure allows the veterinarian to visualize and biopsy (obtaining samples of tissue for testing) your pet's internal organs without the need for invasive surgery. It can, for example, allow retrieval of an accidentally swallowed item without the need for surgery.

Telemedicine

Another important tool available at our practice is telemedicine.

Patients can have digital images of skin, eye, and other legions, cytology samples, radiographs, and ultrasonography images stored and transmitted over the internet to board certified veterinary consultants for their review and recommendations. This service allows us to provide your pet with the advice of a specialist without travelling far distances.