Diagnostic Testing

Pets can’t tell us where they hurt.  A thorough physical examination by a veterinarian can gain a lot of information about your pet, but often it is necessary to do further testing to diagnose the underlying cause for your pets illness or discomfort.

X-rays, or radiography, can show evidence of cardiac (heart) disease, pulmonary (lung) disease, foreign objects in the stomach and intestine, abdominal masses, bone fractures and dislocations...the list goes on.  X-rays are limited in some areas, and interpretation can be difficult.  CPH is able to email our x-rays to board certified veterinary radiologists for a second opinion, often receiving results within hours of being sent.

Bloodwork - the most commonly run ‘bloodwork’ are a complete blood count (CBC) and a chemistry panel (chemscreen), both of which are able to be run on-site as needed.  Other more specific blood tests are often necessary, which are sent to an off-site laboratory; these results are usually back within 24 hours, although that varies depending on the test.  Pre-operative bloodwork is required to assure your pet does not have any obvious reason to avoid anesthesia.  Annual geriatric screenings are also recommended, along with a urinalysis.

Urinalysis - evaluation of your pets urine is often vital to diagnosing or confirming a disease process.  While it seems obvious that you would need to have a urine sample to diagnose a urinary tract infection, urine can also help clarify diseases such as diabetes or kidney failure.  A urinalysis is recommended for all geriatric pets, along with annual bloodwork.

Urine culture - indicated with suspicion of a urinary tract infection, to identify the bacteria, quantify the amount of bacteria, and identify what antibiotics are indicated for treatment.

Fecal exam - fecal material can harbor many internal parasites, some of which can be passed onto human members of your family.  Examination of fecal samples can identify the need for additional deworming for your pet, and can identify a cause if your pet is showing signs of gastrointestinal upset.

Culture, Cytology and Biopsy - often samples of tissue or material need to be examined more closely.  Ear infections can be treated much more effectively when the underlying cause is known, and ear cytology can be performed in-house to identify that cause.  A culture of ear debris may be necessary to diagnose a resistant strain of bacteria and alter treatment accordingly.  Fine needle aspirates (cells removed through a needle) of masses, as well as biopsies (actual pieces of tissue) are sent to an outside laboratory for pathologists to evaluate.

There are many other diagnostic tools available, and recommendations will vary based upon the individual needs of your pet.