Laboratory Services
Laboratory diagnostics can be performed in your home to assist the doctor in disease detection.
Advanced diagnostics are available as we utilize an outsourced laboratory service to aid in the diagnostic process. By using an outsourced laboratory we are able to do allergy testing, culture and sensitivity, histopathology, blood clotting profiles, giardia testing, vaccination titers, full chemistry profiles including, liver function testing, electrolyte profiles, hematology screening, therapeutic drug profiles for Phenobarbital, Fructosamine levels, Autoimmune testing, tick serology and titers...
Additionally, we are now able to offer tonometry for assistance in ophthalmic evaluations; EKG and blood pressure monitoring to further evaluate cardiac function. We are excited about the additional knowledge we obtain through their usage in the comforts of your home.
Our laboratory services below are done on a daily basis in your home.
Below are some of the tests that are preformed * This list is not conclusive
Microscopic Stool Evaluations & Urinalysis
A fecal examination is the microscopic evaluation of feces. The test is indicated for pets with diarrhea, straining, lack of appetite or vomiting. Annual fecal examinations are recommended on all animals as part of a yearly health exam. Fecal examinations are also recommended on all puppies and kittens.
Fecal tests allow us to determine if your pet has intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, coccidia and giardiasis. Since intestinal parasites live and hide in your pet's GI tract, they are usually hidden from view.
Urinalysis is a routine test that reports the physical and chemical properties of urine. It is used mainly to assess the health of the kidneys and urinary system, but it can also reveal problems in other organ systems, and is important for diagnosing metabolic disease such as diabetes mellitus. It is a valuable test in both healthy and sick animals and should be included in any comprehensive evaluation of a pet's health.
How is urine collected?
There are three main ways to collect urine in cats and dogs.
Cystocentesis. A sterile needle and syringe are used to collect urine from the bladder. The needle is passed through the abdominal wall into a full bladder and urine is withdrawn directly into the sterile syringe. The advantage of cystocentesis is that the urine is not contaminated by miscellaneous debris from the lower urinary passage. This type of sample is ideal for assessing the bladder and kidneys and for detecting bacterial infection. The disadvantages of cystocentesis are that the method is slightly more invasive than other methods, is useful only if the pet’s bladder is full, and it is difficult to do in patients that are uncooperative.
Catheterization. A very narrow sterile catheter is passed up the lower urinary passage (called the urethra) into the bladder. A sterile syringe is attached to the catheter and urine is withdrawn from the bladder into the syringe. The technique is less invasive than cystocentesis and is a good option when a voluntary sample is not available, especially in male dogs. Catheterization causes mild irritation to the urethra, and may carry bacteria from the urethra into the bladder.
Mid-stream free flow. Urine is voided voluntarily by pet in the usual way and a sample is collected into a sterile container as the pet urinates. Ideally, the sample is collected mid-stream, meaning partway through urination. This type of sample is often called a “free flow” or “free catch” sample. The advantages of this method are that it is completely non-invasive, and the pet owner can collect the urine sample at home. The disadvantages are that it may be difficult to collect a sample in mid-stream from some pets, and the urine is more likely to be contaminated by miscellaneous debris from the urethra or the environment
Skin Scrapes
A skin scraping is a collected sample of skin cells that are evaluated under a microscope. Skin scraping tests are typically performed to aid in diagnosing certain skin inflammations, fungal infections, and skin cancer, along with being an effective way of determining the presence of mites.
Cytology of Skin
Cytology provides a quick and minimally invasive way to evaluate cutaneous tumors in dogs and cats. It may provide a definitive diagnosis and can, thus, help the clinician to determine whether further staging tests, such as lymph node aspiration or chest radiography, are indicated.
This simple technique involves using a sterile, fine gauge needle attached to an empty syringe. The needle is inserted into the middle of the tissue in question and the plunger of the syringe pulled back to create suction, withdrawing (or aspirating) cells.
Heartworm Testing
A veterinarian uses blood tests to check a dog for heartworms. An antigen test detects specific heartworm proteins, called antigens, which are released by adult female heartworms into the dog's bloodstream.
Signs of heartworm disease may include a mild persistent cough, reluctance to exercise, fatigue after moderate activity, decreased appetite, and weight loss. As heartworm disease progresses, pets may develop heart failure and the appearance of a swollen belly due to excess fluid in the abdomen.
Feline Leukemia & Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Testing.
Two types of blood tests are commonly used to diagnose FeLV, both of which detect a protein component of the virus called FeLV P27. One of these tests, called an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), is usually performed first as a screening tool.
It is a good idea to have your cat evaluated if they start showing any of the following FIV symptoms:
Poor coat condition.
Fever that keeps coming back.
Lack of appetite.
Inflammation in the mouth and gums.
Chronic or recurrent infections in the eyes, skin, upper respiratory tract, or bladder.
Constant diarrhea.
Ears and Masses
How are these kinds of tumor diagnosed?
If deep in the ear canal, these tumors may be difficult to see and therefore diagnose. If the ear canal is severely inflamed, the inflammation may need to be alleviated first to more clearly see the mass. Once the mass is identified, it may (or may not) be possible to take a sample of the tissue, depending on the location. If the mass can be accessed, fine needle aspiration (FNA) or biopsy will be performed. FNA involves taking a small needle with a syringe and suctioning a sample of cells directly from the tumor and placing them on a microscope slide. A veterinary pathologist then examines the slide under a microscope. A biopsy is surgical removal of a piece of the tumor. The tumor tissue is then examined under the microscope. This is called histopathology.
If a diagnosis of malignancy is made from the FNA or biopsy, a CT scan of the head and neck region may be performed to determine how invasive the tumor is and plan a surgical approach. Staging (searching for potential spread to other locations in the body) is highly recommended for malignant tumors, as they tend to spread. This may include bloodwork, urinalysis, X-rays of the lungs, and possibly an abdominal ultrasound. If any lymph nodes appear to be enlarged or firmer than normal, samples may be taken to look for spread.
How do these types of tumor typically progress?
Benign tumors, such as inflammatory polyps, typically only grow to a certain size, but are often irritating and interfere with the ear’s normal function, resulting in waxy buildup and chronic infections. The biggest concern with malignant tumors (other than the possibility of metastasis) is local spread. If the tumor is not treated, it may continue to grow and invade the surrounding tissues, causing pain and increasing the risk of the more serious clinical signs and complications listed above