Clinical Laboratory

Laboratory testing plays an integral role in the early detection of changes in your pet’s health. Diagnostic tests provide essential information by which our veterinarians can identify blood disorders, kidney and liver disease, diabetes, infection, cancer, thyroid disease and other hormonal problems.

Our extensive laboratory provides fast and accurate information that is necessary for the well being of your pet. With our modern in-house diagnostic equipment, we can measure more than 60 laboratory values. As a result of this technology, animals can receive appropriate, evidence-based treatment immediately after arriving at the hospital.

Radiology

Our modern X-ray equipment provides excellent diagnostic-quality radiographic films. In addition, we perform many specialty procedures, including GI series and urinary bladder contrast studies. These special procedures are necessary for identifying difficult or chronic problems.

Tonometry

Glaucoma refers to increased pressure in the eyeball. It is an emergency situation and, if not treated immediately, can lead to blindness. In a healthy eye, an equilibrium exists between the amount of intraocular (within the eyeball) fluid produced and the amount of fluid removed. If fluid cannot be removed, pressure builds up within the eye. This elevated intraocular pressure (glaucoma) can cause permanent damage to the optic nerve, resulting in blindness. Ocular Tonometry is the measurement of pressure within the eyeball. The tonometer is the device used to measure this pressure.

K-Laser

Laser therapy is the use of specific wavelengths of light to create therapeutic effects such as improved healing time, pain reduction, increased circulation and decreased swelling. Laser therapy is used for treatment of osteoarthritis, joint pain, hip dysplasia, chronic wounds, post -surgical pain, puncture wounds, muscle strains, and rehabilitation.

Typical treatment schedules are for 3 consecutive weeks and length ranges from 2 to 8 minutes. Results vary but many pets feel improvement after their first treatment.

Ultrasound and ECGs

An abdominal ultrasound examination (sonogram) is a full examination of all or most of the liver, gall bladder, pancreas, stomach, kidneys, adrenal glands, intestines, urinary bladder, uterus, ovaries, prostate, testicles and abdominal lymph nodes. Ultrasound examination of these organs is especially critical when the diagnosis depends on seeing inside the organs or seeing them function in real-time. Using sound wave energy, ultrasound allows all this to be done without resorting to anesthesia and surgery.

When abnormalities are found on abdominal ultrasound, an ultrasound-guided biopsy or ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration can often lead to an immediate diagnosis with far less risk to the patient than exploratory surgery. This capability has proven extremely useful in many of our patients with cancer and liver disease. In some cases, surgical treatment can be avoided completely.

Just like humans, companion animals can experience a wide range of different types of heart disease. Some are acquired with age or as a result of injury, while others are congenital birth defects. A cardiac ultrasound examination (echocardiogram) is an examination of the heart, generally done without any sedation or anesthesia.

We can also make before and after measurements of the heart to help determine if a heart medication is working and how much we should adjust the dosage to help maintain optimum cardiac function. Also known as an ECG, this tool is used to complement x-rays and ultrasound to aid in diagnosis and treatment of heart disease. We also use our ECG machines to monitor sick and anesthetized animals undergoing surgical procedures.