Diagnostic Lab Testing

Diagnostic Lab Testing

We offer state-of-the-art in-house veterinary lab services and utilize IDEXX Laboratories for more advanced cases that require more precise testing.

Veterinary Diagnostic Lab Testing Services: In-House & Reference Diagnostic Laboratories

Within minutes, our veterinarians are able to gather and interpret results from the sample that can reveal a wide range of pet health issues, from urinary tract infections to ear infections, and even parvovirus infections or diabetes. We can also have blood test results in a matter of minutes (not days) so we can get a full readout of your pet’s health and recommend a course of action as quickly as possible.

In some cases, we may need to send samples collected in-house to a reference laboratory for testing. We are proud to call IDEXX our outside partner. As one of the premier laboratories in the world, IDEXX is at the forefront of research and technology and is constantly developing tests to help our veterinarians diagnose conditions more accurately and efficiently.

How might diagnostic testing services be used to help your pet? Here’s just one example: In cases where an animal is exhibiting signs of an illness or disease, and has a history that could make it difficult to determine the problem (or conversely, the animal’s medical history is unknown), we can perform a “basic test panel” to help point to a diagnosis. Some of the problems that can be diagnosed through a simple blood test include:

    • Infections
    • Liver failure
    • Kidney failure
    • Anemia
    • Electrolyte imbalances
    • Valley Fever
    • Diabetes
    • Increased or decreased thyroid gland activity

Common Reasons Your Veterinarian May Recommend Diagnostic Testing Services

Because our in-house and reference diagnostic services can quickly and accurately diagnose a wide variety of diseases, illnesses, and injuries, our veterinarians may recommend testing in a large number of situations, including:

    • Your pet is displaying symptoms of illness, injury, or disease and the direct cause is not easily identifiable using traditional diagnostic procedures
    • Your pet experiences a sudden and dramatic change in weight or behavior and your veterinarian is concerned that the underlying issue may pose a serious health risk if not quickly diagnosed and treated
    • Your pet was subjected to trauma and your veterinarian is concerned that there may be underlying internal injuries that need to diagnosed quickly to administer appropriate treatment

Lab testing may also be recommended as part of routine senior pet care and your annual pet wellness checkup. First-time patients and new puppies and kittens may also need quality diagnostic services if they have an unknown or unestablished health history. In any case, the veterinarians here at El Dorado Animal Hospital will outline the recommended diagnostic tests and explain why your pet may need testing.

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