In-House Laboratory
Faster diagnostics saves lives.
Stool Samples
Stool samples may be collected by the pet owner prior to a visit to the veterinary clinic or they may be collected by the veterinarian. A small amount of the stool sample
is prepared and then examined under a microscope. In some cases, a small amount of the stool is placed in a liquid and then examined with a microscope. These steps are used to detect the presence of the cysts of various parasites such as Giardia. The eggs of other parasites, such as roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms, can be found in stool samples. Larval or adult worms or tapeworm segments may also be observed. We go a step further to do an antigen test of the stool to check for hidden parasites that may not even show up in the traditional microscopic analysis.
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Heart Health Tools
We have a blood pressure monitor that is used for both anesthesia and blood pressure screening on pets as well as EKG and pulse oximetry monitors.
These will check your pets’ blood oxygen level and heart rate as well as checking for arrythmeas or abnormal heart beats. We also offer Cardiac and Thoracic Ultrasound, Digital Chest X-Rays and Cardiopet bNP to screen for potential heart abnormalities in the blood work.
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Opthalmology Lab
We can check your pet’s eye pressure for glaucoma or uveitis and we can check tear production or rule out corneal ulceration with our in house eye lab.
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Cytology
We can look under a microscope to check for certain skin, ear, and infectious diseases.
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Urine Samples
Analysis of urine samples (urinalysis) is important for detecting various types of urinary tract diseases. Because significant changes occur in urine
if it is left at room or higher temperature for any length of time, the sample should be analyzed immediately after collection, or refrigerated and transported to the laboratory as soon as possible after collection. Urine samples should not, however, be frozen because freezing will change several important characteristics of the urine. The tests usually carried out on urine samples include examining the appearance, chemistry, and sediment.
Normal urine is typically yellow or amber in color and is usually transparent or clear. The presence of diseases or infections may change the color or clarity. For most pet species, normal urine has a slight odor of ammonia; however, the urine of some pets (such as cats) normally has a pungent odor. A bacterial infection of the urinary tract may produce a strong ammonia odor in the urine.
Chemical analysis of urine may include determining its specific gravity (density) and pH level and measuring the amount of protein, glucose, or fragmented blood cells, all of which can indicate disease, injury, or defects. Microscopic examination of urine sediment (the solid part of urine) is part of a routine urinalysis. Large numbers of red blood cells in urine sediment usually indicate bleeding somewhere in the urinary tract, while large numbers of white blood cells usually indicate an infection. Other solid components of urine, known as casts, are long tubular structures formed by the congealing of protein in the kidneys. Large numbers of casts may indicate kidney disease. Crystals may be present but are generally not considered to be a problem. Bacteria may be present in small numbers in normally voided urine, but large numbers indicate infection. If your veterinarian suspects a bladder infection, a sample of urine to culture for bacteria may be collected directly from the bladder using a needle and syringe. This process is called cystocentesis.
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Normal urine is typically yellow or amber in color and is usually transparent or clear. The presence of diseases or infections may change the color or clarity. For most pet species, normal urine has a slight odor of ammonia; however, the urine of some pets (such as cats) normally has a pungent odor. A bacterial infection of the urinary tract may produce a strong ammonia odor in the urine.
Chemical analysis of urine may include determining its specific gravity (density) and pH level and measuring the amount of protein, glucose, or fragmented blood cells, all of which can indicate disease, injury, or defects. Microscopic examination of urine sediment (the solid part of urine) is part of a routine urinalysis. Large numbers of red blood cells in urine sediment usually indicate bleeding somewhere in the urinary tract, while large numbers of white blood cells usually indicate an infection. Other solid components of urine, known as casts, are long tubular structures formed by the congealing of protein in the kidneys. Large numbers of casts may indicate kidney disease. Crystals may be present but are generally not considered to be a problem. Bacteria may be present in small numbers in normally voided urine, but large numbers indicate infection. If your veterinarian suspects a bladder infection, a sample of urine to culture for bacteria may be collected directly from the bladder using a needle and syringe. This process is called cystocentesis.
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Blood Samples
Analysis of the numbers and structure of blood cells is important in the diagnosis and monitoring of disease and infection. Blood samples are usually taken
by the veterinarian or a veterinary technician for analysis.
There are 3 common tests carried out using red blood cells: packed cell volume, hemoglobin concentration, and red blood cell count. All 3 are interrelated and help your veterinarian diagnose diseases. The packed cell volume is the proportion of the whole volume of blood occupied by the red blood cells. When the proportion of red blood cells is high, the condition is called polycythemia. Polycythemia is common when a pet has dehydration or diarrhea. A low packed cell volume may suggest anemia or bleeding. The hemoglobin concentration in the blood sample indicates the oxygen-carrying capacity of the red blood cells. The red blood cell count is the number of red blood cells in a unit volume of blood. The results of the tests on red blood cells can tell your veterinarian a lot about the way your pet’s body is functioning and suggest possible health problems.
There are 5 main types of white blood cells. Neutrophils are the most common type of white blood cell. They engulf (“eat”) infectious particles such as bacteria. They increase in number during inflammation, infection, and short-term stress. A related type of white blood cell is the eosinophil. The number of eosinophils goes up during allergic reactions and some tissue injuries. Their number also goes up in response to certain tumors and parasites. Basophils are the least common type of white blood cell. They are also related to neutrophils and eosinophils. An increase in the number of basophils is associated with inflammation. Monocytes are large cells that serve mainly as phagocytes and increase in number during chronic diseases.
Lymphocytes are the white blood cells responsible for antibody production and cell-mediated immune responses. Large increases in the number of lymphocytes often indicates leukemia, a type of cancer.
Platelets are cell-like particles in the blood. Another name for platelets is thrombocytes. Platelets are much smaller than red or white blood cells. They perform a critical role in the clotting process to repair damaged blood vessels. Thus, injuries often prompt a large increase in number of platelets. Some autoimmune diseases, blood clotting disorders, and bone marrow problems cause a decrease in the number of platelets.
We also have the ability to check coagulation panels (to look for potential bleeding disorders or toxin ingestions right in our hospital.
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There are 3 common tests carried out using red blood cells: packed cell volume, hemoglobin concentration, and red blood cell count. All 3 are interrelated and help your veterinarian diagnose diseases. The packed cell volume is the proportion of the whole volume of blood occupied by the red blood cells. When the proportion of red blood cells is high, the condition is called polycythemia. Polycythemia is common when a pet has dehydration or diarrhea. A low packed cell volume may suggest anemia or bleeding. The hemoglobin concentration in the blood sample indicates the oxygen-carrying capacity of the red blood cells. The red blood cell count is the number of red blood cells in a unit volume of blood. The results of the tests on red blood cells can tell your veterinarian a lot about the way your pet’s body is functioning and suggest possible health problems.
There are 5 main types of white blood cells. Neutrophils are the most common type of white blood cell. They engulf (“eat”) infectious particles such as bacteria. They increase in number during inflammation, infection, and short-term stress. A related type of white blood cell is the eosinophil. The number of eosinophils goes up during allergic reactions and some tissue injuries. Their number also goes up in response to certain tumors and parasites. Basophils are the least common type of white blood cell. They are also related to neutrophils and eosinophils. An increase in the number of basophils is associated with inflammation. Monocytes are large cells that serve mainly as phagocytes and increase in number during chronic diseases.
Lymphocytes are the white blood cells responsible for antibody production and cell-mediated immune responses. Large increases in the number of lymphocytes often indicates leukemia, a type of cancer.
Platelets are cell-like particles in the blood. Another name for platelets is thrombocytes. Platelets are much smaller than red or white blood cells. They perform a critical role in the clotting process to repair damaged blood vessels. Thus, injuries often prompt a large increase in number of platelets. Some autoimmune diseases, blood clotting disorders, and bone marrow problems cause a decrease in the number of platelets.
We also have the ability to check coagulation panels (to look for potential bleeding disorders or toxin ingestions right in our hospital.
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Biochemistry Panel (ORGANS AND ELECTROLYTE CHECK)
What the Results may Mean
Total ProteinIncreases due to dehydration or inflammation; may decrease due to bleeding, malnutrition, or congestive heart failure
Albumin
Increases due to dehydration; may decrease due to bleeding, congestive heart failure, or liver failure
Globulin
Calculated as the difference between total protein and albumin
Urea
Increases due to certain dietary excesses or deficiencies, congestive heart failure, kidney failure, or a ruptured bladder; decreases may be due to liver failure or low levels of dietary protein
Creatinine
Increases may be due to kidney disorders, muscle damage, or a ruptured bladder
Glucose
Increases may be caused by diabetes or short-term stress; decreases may be found in cases of neurologic disease or malnutrition
ALT and ALP
Increases in these enzymes may indicate liver damage, muscle damage, or increased thyroid gland activity
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Heartworm (4DX TEST)
Our Heartworm test price automatically includes testing for diseases carried by ticks that are common in animals such as Lyme disease, Ehrlichia, and
Anaplasmosis.
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The Outside Laboratory Or Test Center
Many of the tests the veterinarian uses to diagnose disease require highly specialized instruments or equipment. In other cases, specific training is required
for the technicians performing the tests. For these reasons, many veterinarians will either send the samples to an outside laboratory or refer the patient to a special test facility. Some of the tests conducted are similar to those available in the clinic, but the availability of advanced testing equipment in a specialized facility may offer advantages in speed and accuracy. For example, the specialized laboratory may be able to more easily spot and identify abnormally shaped red or white blood cells, both of which can help confirm a disease diagnosis, during routine tests on a blood sample.
It is important to identify the specific bacteria or other organisms causing an infection so that your veterinarian can carry out a proper treatment program. Although many microbiology tests can be performed at veterinary clinics, your veterinarian may prefer to have the samples tested at an outside laboratory that has specialized equipment and personnel with advanced training in microbiology. Your veterinarian will very carefully take a sample from a site on your pet that is typical of the disease or infection process. Samples are examined under a microscope, as well as cultured (grown on various substances) and then examined for the growth of colonies of the suspected organisms. Sometimes the bacteria have to be tested with different antibiotics to determine which one will be most effective. This takes a little longer but helps your veterinarian avoid treatment with an antibiotic that is not effective.
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It is important to identify the specific bacteria or other organisms causing an infection so that your veterinarian can carry out a proper treatment program. Although many microbiology tests can be performed at veterinary clinics, your veterinarian may prefer to have the samples tested at an outside laboratory that has specialized equipment and personnel with advanced training in microbiology. Your veterinarian will very carefully take a sample from a site on your pet that is typical of the disease or infection process. Samples are examined under a microscope, as well as cultured (grown on various substances) and then examined for the growth of colonies of the suspected organisms. Sometimes the bacteria have to be tested with different antibiotics to determine which one will be most effective. This takes a little longer but helps your veterinarian avoid treatment with an antibiotic that is not effective.
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