Assessment Tools
There are a large range of physical and chemical diagnostic tools our practice uses to help us understand what is happening in your pet’s body and what we can do to help. The test or tool we utilize is determined by symptoms presented, behaviors observed, and knowledge of similar cases. Your Veterinarian will explain which tools we recommend so you can make an informed decision on the care of your pet.
- Radiology (X-Ray) is a time-tested method to photograph inside the body to collect data. This painless, safe and completely non-invasive diagnostic tool can help our doctors understand the condition of bones, gastrointestinal tract, arthritis and more. Radiographs use a very low level of radiation to “see” through the skin and is considered safe for all ages and conditions of patients.
- Ultrasound is a method of “seeing” into the body in real time like a video. It uses painless sound waves that bounce back to the device to create a view of what can’t be seen with the eyes. Many associate this technology with viewing human babies inside their mother, but it is also an important tool to view heart, stomach, liver and other organ functions in animals.
- Laboratory Testing is utilized to detect parasites, infection, chemical imbalances, and other issues. These tests are an important part of the knowledge Veterinarians can collect to determine a course of treatment. Our clinic has the capacity to conduct and interpret tests in-house and is linked with outside resources when more specialized testing is needed.
