In-House Diagnostics
When your pet is sick or injured, you want to know what is wrong and how to treat the problem as quickly as possible. The Vet at BlueRidge offers the following in-house diagnostic capabilities:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) – This test looks at the types and numbers of cells in the blood including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Abnormal cell counts provide evidence for anemia, infection, inflammation, cancer, clotting abnormalities, and many other disorders.
- Biochemical Profile – The biochemical profile provides data which can be used to assess the function of various organs within the body including the liver, kidneys and gastrointestinal system.
- Electrolytes – Electrolytes maintain the balance between blood and tissue fluids in the body. Abnormalities can result from vomiting, diarrhea, or metabolic disease.
- Urinalysis – Analysis of urine provides information on kidney function along with a general view of overall body functions. It can indicate various disorders of the urinary tract, such as development of crystals, bacterial infection or cancer.
- X-Ray – X-rays of bones and joints are necessary for evaluation of suspected fractures, osteoarthritis or other orthopedic diseases. Abdominal x-rays can be used to find ingested foreign bodies, kidney and bladder stones, and abnormal abdominal masses. Chest x-rays are often recommended to screen for abnormalities of the heart and lungs. Many types of cancer spread from other parts of the body to the lungs, and these cancers are sometimes detected with a chest x-ray before being diagnosed elsewhere.
- Ultrasound – Ultrasound is another non-invasive way to look inside your pet’s body. Internal organs can be assessed for size, shape, internal architecture and blood supply. Abnormal masses may be detected and can be further evaluated with biopsy.
- Electrocardiography (ECG) – An ECG provides information on heart rate and rhythm. In addition to providing information on the electrical function of the heart, an ECG may provide information on non-cardiac illness – for example, electrolyte disturbances.
- CardioPet® NT-proBNP – This is a special blood test which measures the degree of stretch and stress on the heart muscle. Concentrations of NT-proBNP in the blood increase in proportion to severity of heart disease.
Even if your pet is not currently experiencing any injury or illness, having these diagnostic capabilities in-house allows us to perform early detection for potential problems associated with aging. Find out more under Geriatric Medicine.