Diagnostic Services
In-House Laboratory
When your pet is sick, he or she cannot tell us what is wrong. That's why we rely on our advanced in-house laboratory to process and interpret the results of a wide variety of tests. Your pet deserves the best. Our diagnostic laboratory is staffed by specially-trained veterinary technicians who are capable of quickly and accurately interpreting your pet's lab results.
We perform the following tests, among with many others, using our diagnostic laboratory:
- Zoonotic disease testing
- Fecal analysis
- Heartworm testing and parasite control
- Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) testing
- Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) testing
- Allergy testing
- Complete blood count
Electrocardiogram
The muscles of the heart are capable of generating electrical activity. The electrical activity is related to the impulses that travel through the heart that determine the heart's rate and rhythm. An Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a noninvasive test that records the electrical activity of the heart. The instrument that is used to make these recordings is called an electrocardiograph. In veterinary medicine, the ECG is recorded by placing electrodes (small non-irritating clips) on various parts of the animal's skin.
ECGs are commonly used in veterinary medicine for diagnosing heart problems. They are also used as cardiac monitoring devices during general anesthesia. Generally, a diagnostic ECG only takes about 10-15 minutes.
The style and size of electrocardiographs have changed throughout the years. Machines that were once large and heavy are now small and light weight.
Radiographs (X-Rays)
Radiology is an essential tool for diagnosing many ailments and illnesses in your pet. X-rays are used to diagnose many conditions, including broken bones, tumors, bladder stones and locating foreign bodies (a bone, toy or article of clothing) in your dog or cat's stomach.
Radiographs also are useful for diagnosing heart and lung problems (particularly important for senior patients) and can be used by the veterinarian to evaluate cats and dogs for hip dysplasia and dogs for elbow dysplasia.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is increased pressure within the eye. It is an emergency situation, and if not treated immediately, can lead to blindness.
Cells inside the eye produce a clear fluid ("aqueous humor") that maintains the shape of the eye and nourishes the tissues inside the eye. The balance of fluid production and drainage is responsible for maintaining normal pressure within the eye. In glaucoma, the drain becomes clogged but the eye keeps producing fluid. Therefore, the pressure in the eye increases. The increased pressure in the eye actually can cause the eye to stretch and enlarge.
Some breeds predisposed to glaucoma include:
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Some cat breeds with a predisposition are:
- Persians
- Siamese
- Some domestic shorthairs
We offer a glaucoma test to measure the introccular pressures of the eye. Please contact us today to schedule the test.