Diagnostics

Laboratory Testing
Ideally, certain laboratory testing is completed on your pet's first visit. This provides important information about your pet's current ideal health or identifies early problems your pet is experiencing. Thereafter, selected testing based on your pet's age or present physical condition should be performed routinely. Our in-house laboratory capabilities include:

• Heartworm Check
• Screening for tick-borne diseases such as Lymes and Ehrlichia
• Screening for viruses such as Feline Leukemia, FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus), and Canine Parvovirus
• Screening for Chlamydia psittaci (psittacosis) in birds
• Fecal testing for internal parasites
• Complete Blood Counts
• Blood Chemistry Panels to evaluate organ function (liver, kidneys, etc…)
• Urinalysis
• Needle Cytology for preliminary evaluation of tissue abnormalities

We also make use of excellent outside laboratory facilities for:

• Advanced Blood Chemistry Panels
• Serological testing
• Bacterial cultures and sensitivity profiles
• Hormonal assays
• Histopathology (growths, tissue samples)
• Virology
• Avian DNA sexing
• Blood Allergy testing

Endoscopy
The endoscope allows us to look inside the trachea, stomach, intestinal tract, and lungs without major surgery. Some foreign objects can be retrieved and certain diagnostic biopsies can be performed non-surgically through the skilled use of this tool.

Ultrasound
We make extensive use of ultrasound imaging technology in our practice. The ability to visualize internal organs and structures is an invaluable diagnostic tool. Ultrasound technology can be used to evaluate cardiac function, gastro-intestinal activity, size and consistency of internal organs (liver, kidneys, spleen, etc…), and retinal problems. It is also useful in monitoring pregnancies, locating and measuring internal growths, and non-surgical collection of internal tissue or fluid samples.

Digital Radiology
Radiology is an essential and versatile diagnostic tool. In addition to evaluating bone and skeletal injuries and abnormalities, radiographs (x-rays) can be used to determine size, shape, and placement of internal structures. This enables us to evaluate organ function, detect internal growths, monitor pregnancies, and much more. When used with contrast agents, radiographs are also useful in detection of gastro-intestinal dysfunction, foreign bodies, and bladder/kidney stones.

Our small animal digital x-ray system (V.J. Medical’s VJ-DR 200) makes it easy for us to acquire, validate, process, analyze, store, and retrieve diagnostic digital x-ray images. What that means for you and your pet is that when we x-ray your pet, our system can enhance the detail of the picture to reveal essential diagnostic information that is much more difficult to obtain with conventional film radiography. Additionally, our system produces immediate results with no waiting; less stress for you, and quicker answers concerning your pet.