DIAGNOSTIC TESTING FOR YOUR PET!

Many of the medical technologies that help humans live longer, healthier lives are available for your pet. You trust us to provide you with advice which will allow you to make the best decisions for your pet’s health. In order to offer you the peace of mind you deserve, your veterinary surgeon can get a wealth of information from the following tests that are available from this practice:

1. BLOOD BIOCHEMISTRY TEST

By using just a few drops of blood from your pet we can obtain an inside look at your pet's vital organs.

For example checking the blood can help the surgeon determine whether organs such as the liver & kidneys are functioning properly.

For young & adult pets this gives us baseline data that your surgeon can use later as a reference.

For geriatric animals we can monitor organ degeneration, check responses to medication & detect diseases before symptoms appear.

2. PRE-ANAESTHETIC BLOOD TESTING - BIOCHEMISTRY

The anaesthetic risk is greatly minimised when a healthy pet is placed under anaesthesia.

However if your pet is not healthy complications can occur both during and after the procedure.

Again by drawing just a few drops of blood prior to anaesthesia we can test to see if it is within normal ranges

If on the other hand the results are not within normal ranges we may alter the procedure.

Clients should note that if an animal is difficult to handle then the blood would be taken after sedation.

There are two tests available, one for younger animals and one for animals over 8 years of age.

3. PACKED CELL VOLUME (PCV)

Provides information on the amount of red blood cells present in the blood

This test can be used to diagnose anaemia & dehydration

This is conducted as part of the pre-anaesthetic blood test.

4. COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT

By looking at blood under the microscope we can provide detailed information on red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

This test can indicate the presence of inflammation, stress or an inability to fight infection.

5. URINALYSIS

By providing urine from your pet we can gain information about the kidneys.

Urine contains by-products from many organs and abnormal levels of these can indicate diseases such as liver and kidney disease or diabetes.

We can also examine for crystals in the urine.

6. ELECTROCARDIOGRAM (ECG)

Depending on your pet's age, history and results of physical exam your surgeon may recommend an ECG. This detects heart rate and electrical rhythm.

7. RADIOGRAPHY

Depending on circumstances your surgeon could recommend a radiograph of your pet.

This can provide a view of your pet to check for foreign bodies, tumours, fractures, intestinal problems etc.

Although performing these tests cannot guarantee the absence of complications, it can significantly minimise the risk to your pet and provide you and us with peace of mind!