VETERINARY DIAGNOSTICS
Lab/Diagnostic Services
Our veterinarians use a variety of diagnostic tools to diagnose disease, to monitor disease progression and/or response to therapy, and to screen for the presence of underlying disease in apparently healthy animals. We use a wide array of diagnostic tools to quickly and effectively assess your pet’s health and determine necessary treatment, if any is required.
Blood Tests:
Most of our blood work is analyzed on our premises or at an accredited lab with quick turnaround time. Our standard blood profile included a chemistry, complete blood count and SDMA. We also offer many additional specialized tests, which may also be useful for the diagnosis of specific disease processes and monitoring of treatment.
Urinalysis:
A urinalysis evaluates the physical and chemical composition of the urine. A urinalysis can provide important diagnostic information about conditions of the urinary and genital tracts, as well as a number of systemic diseases, such as diabetes, liver disease, Cushing's disease, and so on. The urinalysis is an important part of the diagnostic evaluation for many diseases and is also an important part of thorough preventative medicine programs.
Fecal Examinations:
Pets are susceptible to many types of intestinal parasites, such as worms, Giardia, and coccidia. These parasites may infect an animal without causing symptoms and, therefore, may go unnoticed for a long period of time. In some cases, these parasites can be transferred to other pets or humans in your family. Annual fecal analysis allows us to accurately screen your pet for the most common intestinal parasites.
Microscopic Examinations
Our in-house microscope allows us to quickly analyze samples such as skin scrapings, ear cytologies (swabs), and aspirates of skin masses (fine needle aspirates).
Your pet’s health is very important to us. Our modern veterinary laboratory promotes quick and accurate diagnoses, which leads to the best possible treatment outcomes for your pet.
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure screening is helpful in determining whether your pet is suffering from high blood pressure (hypertension). Our blood pressure equipment is the same used in anesthetic monitoring and to diagnostically evaluate a patient in shock.
Ultrasound
An important, non-invasive diagnostic tool, ultrasound allows us to see a real-time moving picture of your pet’s abdomen, chest, or heart. This is usually done in-house with our on-call mobile ultrasonography Dr. Bonadio (MoVes). https://www.vetmoves.com/san-diego/bonadio/ The ultrasound can usually be performed without the use of sedation or anesthesia. It may be done with mild sedation depending on your pet’s temperament. An ultrasound is often more exact and more comprehensive than an x-ray, and ultrasound is extremely useful in diagnosing diseases and health problems quickly and efficiently.
Digital X-Rays
Our on-site digital x-ray equipment provides high quality radiographs to rapidly aid in the diagnosis of many disorders. We also have the ability to consult with an off-site radiologist should we need a specialist review of the digital radiographs.