In-House Pet Diagnostics in Richmond
A complete evaluation of your pet’s health would not be possible without our in-house diagnostics capabilities here in Richmond. A routine physical exam can help us detect lumps, bumps, ear infections and other problems, but it does not tell us what is going on with your pet’s various internal systems. Our pet diagnostics equipment is not only important for routine wellness visits; it can also help us detect parasites and signs of disease in sick pets urgently in need of care. When time is of the essence, our team can detect, diagnose, and plan treatments for a variety of conditions in pets within the same day.
Booking an appointment at our animal hospital is easy! Call (859) 623-0008 or use the online form.
Dog and Cat X-Rays
To examine your pet’s musculoskeletal system and abdominal and thoracic cavities, we turn to our advanced digital radiography (X-ray) equipment. X-ray is one of the most commonly used dog and cat diagnostics tools due to its reliability. Unlike traditional film X-ray, digital X-ray does not require loading film into trays and soaking film in developing fluid. In fact, the digital X-ray process is highly efficient, and produces a much sharper image. After X-ray images are taken, we can save them onto a computer for later review, or send them via email to outside specialists for interpretation.
With digital X-ray, we can check for:
- Bone fractures
- Tumors
- Foreign bodies
- Intestinal obstruction
- Pregnancy
- Heart disease
- Hip dysplasia
- Bladder stones
- …and more
X-rays are completely painless for pets, and do not require sedation. The only instance in which we might recommend sedation is if we believe it would reduce your pet’s anxiety and allow for better positioning.
Dog and Cat Ultrasound
In addition to X-ray, we also offer dog and cat ultrasounds as a diagnostic option for our patients. Using high-frequency sound waves, our ultrasound machine can provide us with real-time images of the internal organs. Furthermore, it can show us the size, shape and function of the organs and help us detect tumors and cysts, fluid in the abdomen, pregnancies, and more. Ultrasound procedures are non-invasive, painless and completely safe for our patients.
In-House Lab Testing
Our in-house lab allows us to perform a number of diagnostic tests to establish a health baseline, check for heartworm, and assess overall blood chemistry. We can obtain results in as little as 15 minutes, which helps us diagnose and treat problems more efficiently. All pets that will be undergoing a surgical procedure will need to undergo a pre-operative blood screening to ensure they’re healthy enough to be safely anesthetized.
Some of the tests we offer include:
- Blood chemistry – Helps us determine the condition of your pet’s internal organs; particularly the liver and kidneys, and also assesses blood glucose levels and electrolytes.
- CBC (Complete Blood Count) – Provides us with important information about the blood cells and platelets, and can reveal signs of anemia, bone marrow issues, infection, and dehydration.
- Urinalysis – Our in-house urinalysis machine enables us to study a patient’s urine for signs of diabetes and infection in the urinary tract and/or kidneys.
- 4DX Test – tests for heartworm disease and tick-borne diseases
- T4 (thyroid) – Checks thyroid levels, can help us diagnose hyper- and hypothyroidism.
- Phenobarbital – Helps us to regulate the body’s phenobarbital levels, and maintain correct dosage.
If you have questions about our diagnostic services or would like to book an appointment for your pet, call (859) 623-0008 or use the online form!