Diagnostic Services
Digital Radiology
Radiographs or X-rays are one of the most important diagnostic tools in veterinary medicine. They allow us to view the shape, size, and location of organs inside your pet's body. An X-ray can detect a fractured bone, tumor, or heart problem and locate an obstruction or foreign body in your pet's stomach or intestine. X-rays and ultrasound are often utilized together for an even more accurate diagnosis.
At Park Hills Animal Hospital and Wellness Center, we use the latest in advanced digital radiology as part of your pet's diagnostic care. Compared to X-rays produced by a traditional machine, the quality of digital radiographs is much better. Because digital x-rays are immediately displayed on a computer monitor, they are produced quickly and can be manipulated to get a better view of your pet's bones and internal organs.
Digital radiology has many benefits for your pet, you and our staff. Our digital X-ray technology produces clear, detailed images that allow our medical team to make a more rapid and accurate diagnosis. Digital X-rays are easier and faster to process than traditional film X-rays, resulting in less time on the X-ray table (and less stress) for your pet. The harsh chemicals once necessary for developing X-rays are not needed for digital X-rays, reducing potential harm to our staff and the environment.
Because digital X-ray images can be saved on a computer, they can be transmitted quickly by email to outside specialists if a referral or second opinion were necessary.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a pain-free, totally non-invasive technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce a real-time image of your pet's internal organs. Often considered more exact than X-rays, ultrasound provides a movie of what is happening inside your pet's body.
Ultrasound is particularly useful in viewing your pet's abdominal organs and evaluating heart functions. Abdominal ultrasound allows us to fully examine your pet's liver, gallbladder, spleen, adrenal glands, pancreas, kidneys, urinary bladder, and parts of the stomach and intestines. Ultrasound also works well in conjunction with other diagnostic tools and a wide range of diagnostic procedures. For example, X-ray of your pet's abdomen may show enlargement of the liver but does not tell us why it is enlarged. An ultrasound allows us to see the liver's structure in greater detail and identify specific lesions or masses.
Using the ultrasound image as a guide, Park Hills Animal Hospital and Wellness Center veterinarians can obtain biopsies without major surgery and your pet can often go home the same day. Ultrasounds are typically not stressful for your pet and take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes to perform.
In-House Laboratory
Sometimes we need to rely on diagnostic tests in order to make an accurate diagnosis. Thanks to Park Hills Animal Hospital and Wellness Center's in-house diagnostic laboratory, your pet's test results are ready within a matter of minutes.
Our laboratory is capable of processing dozens of tests, including complete blood counts (CBCs), blood chemistry panels, parasite testing (to detect the presence of heartworms, intestinal worms, and other internal parasites) and more. Your pet's laboratory test results are analyzed and interpreted by our team of specially trained veterinary technicians. The results of the laboratory tests provide fast, accurate treatment for your pet.
Below are short descriptions of our most common tests.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
CBC measures the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in a sample of blood. The numbers of each type of cell provide information to help diagnose anemia, infections, and leukemia. If your pet is undergoing treatment for a condition, a complete blood count can help your veterinarian monitor how your pet is responding to the treatment.
Blood-Chemistry Panel (Chem Profile)
A blood-chemistry panel measures electrolytes, enzymes, and chemical elements of your pet's blood. Included in a chem profile are important components such as calcium and phosphorous levels, liver enzymes, glucose, and total protein. These measurements help your veterinarian determine how your pet's organs, such as kidneys, pancreas, and liver, are functioning. Blood-chemistry panels help diagnose and treat illness, as well as monitor your pet's response to treatment. A blood-chemistry panel is usually performed to screen for potential problems and risks before anesthesia is administered.
Fecal Examination (Fecal)
Your Park Hills veterinarian may examine your pet's feces under a microscope for clues about many different kinds of diseases, including difficulties with digestion, internal bleeding, and pancreas disorders. Most importantly, a fecal examination confirms the presence of intestinal parasites, including roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, tapeworm, and giardia. A fecal examination is part of your pet's complete wellness examination.
Urinalysis (UA)
Laboratory testing of your pet's urine can help detect the presence of specific substances that normally do not appear in urine, including protein, sugar, white blood cells, or blood. Measuring the dilution or concentration of urine can also help us diagnose illness. Urinalysis can be helpful in diagnosing urinary tract infections, diabetes, dehydration, kidney problems, and other medical conditions.
