Diagnostic Services

 

Diagnostic Services

 

A veterinary hospital's ability to tell what is wrong with your pet rests on its diagnostics.  Having the right equipment, the expertise to know when to use it, and the ability to communicate and share results with pet owners allows our hospital staff to work with you every step of the way.

 

Physical Exam and History

 

Probably the most underrated diagnostic tools in the hospital are the physical exam and history.  Physical exams are not just meant to "look at" the pet, but are a prescribed series of steps to check all systems of the body, starting with the mouth and working through neurologic responses and on through the entire body.  Getting a pet history from the owner helps round out the picture of potential abnormalities in behavior, diet, and other areas. 

 

In-house and Reference Laboratories

 

Our in-house laboratory allows us to keep track of your pet's organ function and quickly get answers when your pet is not feeling well.  Our ProCyte Hematology Analyzer allows us to assess red counts, white counts, and platelet levels.  Our Catalyst One Chemistry Analyzer allows us to assess blood sugar, electrolytes, liver, and kidney values.  Our Sedivue Dx Urine Sediment Analyzer allows us to screen for infection, inflammation, crystals, and blood within a patient's urine.  We can also screen for heartworm, feline leukemia virus, feline immunodeficiency virus, tick borne infections (Lyme, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma), parvovirus, and pancreatitis.  After blood collection, we can process lab samples in 30 minutes, allowing us to diagnose and begin treatment fast when your pet needs it most.  When more complex testing is needed, we can send out bloodwork to our outside reference laboratory. We normally get these results within 24 hours.  Our in-house laboratory results are integrated with our reference laboratory into one platform, allowing doctors to have a holistic view of your pet's health, monitor trends, and collaborate with specialists when needed.   

 

In-house Digital X-rays

 

Our in-house digital x-ray allows us to take high quality images of your pet's bones, tissues, and internal organs so that veterinarians can find issues before they are noticeable to the eyes. Our images are stored electronically for quick retrieval, monitoring of trends, and easy sharing with pet owners. We have an off-site radiologist who reviews all x-rays for subtle changes, confirms the diagnosis, and ensures your pet gets the proper treatment for their condition.     

 

Ultrasound

 

Ultrasound provides a different set of imaging capabilities from digital x-ray.  It is used to detect abnormalities such as types of body fluid or stones, tumors, and organ disease.  Ultrasound can also be used to confirm pregnancy, assess fetal heartbeats, and estimate litter size.  

 

Anesthesia and Advanced Monitoring

 

When a pet has too much anxiety or energy for diagnostic work, or needs more invasive treatment, anesthesia becomes necessary.  Anesthesia protocols can differ among practitioners, but we believe in an anesthesia protocol that is both effective and gentle on the pet. Moreover, the pet should be continuously and closely monitored.  When under anesthesia, your pet will be monitored by a dedicated Licensed Veterinary Technician with the guidance of a veterinarian.  Patients are intubated to deliver oxygen and anesthetic gases.  Intubation also protects the lungs and assists with breathing.  Our IV fluid warmers, heated surgery table, and special monitors of pets' vitals give your pet the best protection under anesthesia.   

 

Questions?

 

If you have a question about how or why we do medicine, please ask!  We are proud of our work, and included education as a pillar of our mission with great intention.  The more you know, the easier it is to keep your pet healthy!  

 

 

Contact Us

Hours
M, Tu, Th, F: 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
Wednesday: 8:00 am - 6:30 pm
Sat & Sun: closed

Phone
540-463-2715

Address:
28 Bones Pl
Lexington, VA 24450

Email:
LAH@LexingtonAnimalHospital.vet