Ardrossan Veterinary Clinic strives to accurately diagnose each pet. We use a wide range of diagnostic tools to gain a complete picture of your pet’s health, including:
- In House Lab
- Digital x-rays
- Referrals for advanced diagnostic testing
In House Lab
Diagnostic lab work is helpful for screening and monitoring your pet’s health as well as identifying changes over time. Because lab work provides a more complete picture of overall wellness, it is often recommended during routine wellness exams, as well as prior to any anesthetic procedure, including surgery and dental procedures.
We offer several forms of lab testing right at our clinic. For cats and dogs, we provide the following:
- Complete blood counts
To assess the numbers and health of various types of blood cells to give clues about infections or possible infectious agents, anemia, bone marrow function and the pet's ability to form clots. - Serum chemistry + Thyroid Panel
Can help evaluate Liver and Kidney enzymes, thyroid levels and electrolyte balance including blood sugar to give clues about organ function, underlying disease and the bodies ability to metabolize certain drugs - Complete Urinalysis
Checks for infectious agents, blood, crystals, abnormal cells, and paired, with bloodwork, gives a fuller picture of kidney health. It can also give clues to underlying disease processes like diabetes. - Fecal analysis
To look for evidence of internal parasites and over all biome balance. - Cytology
We can take samples from concerning lumps, ears, and skin lesions to look at under the microscope and identify the types of cells we see. This can give us clues as to what type of lump, infection or other disease process we are dealing with.
Our clinic also partners with reputable outside labs for specialized testing. These labs process tests quickly, allowing us to provide your pet with the necessary care in a timely manner.
Digital X-rays
X-rays, otherwise known as radiographs, are an essential tool for veterinarians. X-ray machines produce images of your pet’s bones and internal organs, such as the heart, lungs, digestive tract and oral cavity. These images not only help monitor the health of your pet’s organs, but also help veterinarians identify illness or disease that may not be visible during a routine check-up. X-rays are often very important for older pets because they help our team identify problems early and provide treatment quickly.
Digital x-rays produce high-resolution images with the advantage of less radiation exposure. These images can also be shared easily among veterinarians, allowing our team to consult quickly with a specialist if needed.
Referrals
Sometimes pets require tests that use advanced equipment and techniques or consultation with a specialist. For these types of tests, such as ultrasound or endoscopy, we provide referrals to reputable veterinarians and specialty clinics. These clinics include:
- Pulse Veterinary Specialists and Emergency
- Guardian Veterinary Centre
- Boreal Veterinary Centre