- Radiography (Digital X ray)-Using a radiograph (digital x-ray), we can examine your pet’s internal systems to reveal information that may be invisible from the outside.
- Radiography is safe, painless and non-invasive. It uses only very low doses of radiation. Because the level of radiation exposure required to perform radiography is very low, even pregnant females and very young pets can undergo this procedure.
- Radiographs can be used to evaluate bones and organs, and diagnose conditions including broken bones, chronic arthritis, bladder stones, spinal cord diseases and some tumors.
Ultrasound
Why do veterinarians recommend ultrasounds for pets?
ultrasound is the best, non invasive, non-painful way which allows our team of veterinary professionals to create extremely detailed images of your pet’s internal structures such as fluid-filled and soft tissue organs in pets. These organs include the pet’s liver, spleen, kidney, pancreas, eyes, lymph nodes, testicles, intestinal tract, prostate, uterus/ovaries and heart
With ultrasound imaging, we expose part of the body to high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the inside of the body.
Because we capture ultrasound images in real-time, we can see the structure and movement of your pet’s internal organs, as well as blood flowing through the blood vessels.
How does an ultrasound work?
In short, an ultrasound system uses sound waves to painlessly penetrate a pet’s organs and capture images.
How is an ultrasound different than an x-ray?
Unlike x-rays, no radiation is used in an ultrasound exam. An x-ray reveals the size and shape of organs whereas an ultrasound can provide a complete internal view of the architecture of the organs. Ultrasound is often used in conjunction with x-rays to confirm a diagnosis.
Is an echocardiogram the same as an ultrasound?
An ultrasound used to exam a pet’s heart is called an echocardiogram, and it is one of the most common types of ultrasound exams performed on pets. It measures the heart’s wall thicknesses and chamber size. It can also help provide an assessment of the heart’s ability to move blood and determine if the valves are functioning properly.
Bloodwork-At our vet lab in Lone Tree Animal Care we are able to run a number of common and specialized blood tests to determine the health of your pet, and to diagnose illness.
Some of the most common veterinary blood tests we do are CBC (complete blood count), white blood count, hemoglobin and MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration), hematocrit, platelets, eosinophils, and blood serum profile.
Urinalysis-Urinalysis is a key diagnostic test that provides your vet with essential insights into the physical and chemical properties of your pet’s urine. .Urinalysis is primarily used to assess the health of your animal’s kidneys and urinary tract system, but it can also be helpful in
detecting issues in other organ systems and is important for diagnosing metabolic diseases such as diabetes.
This is a valuable diagnostic test for both healthy and sick animals and should be included in any comprehensive evaluation of your pet’s overall health.
Fecal Exams-A fecal exam is the microscopic examination of your pet’s feces, which can be done at our in-house vet lab in Lone Tree Animal Care.
The ultimate goal of a fecal exam is to identify and treat any GI infections that could be compromising your pet’s health and even the health of your family. Fecals allow your vet to determine if your pet has intestinal parasites such as roundworms or hookworms.
Parasites can make pets uncomfortable, irritable, and lead to more serious conditions. Some can even be transmitted to humans.
Since these parasites live in your pet’s gastrointestinal tract, they are often hidden from view. The only way to detect them is with a fecal exam.Annual fecal examines should be a vital part of every pet’s routine wellness exam.
Digital Radiology (X-rays)
When we need to figure out what’s wrong with your pet, we routinely use x-rays to help identify the cause of the problem, rule out possible problems, or provide a list of possible causes. We may also use x-rays during a wellness exam to diagnose potential problems before they become serious.
X-rays provide valuable information about a pet’s bones, gastrointestinal tract (stomach, intestines, colon), respiratory tract (lungs), heart, and genitourinary system (bladder, prostate). We use radiology alone or in conjunction with other diagnostic tools. Interpretation of radiographs requires great skill on the part of the veterinarian.
We are proud to offer digital radiology (x-rays that are captured digitally rather than on film). This state-of-the-art technology allows us to provide you with a quicker diagnosis for your pet. Plus, it uses less radiation than traditional x-rays.
To avoid a blurry image, pets need to remain completely still while an x-ray is taken. In some cases, we may need to sedate your pet or use short-acting general anesthesia.
If you have any questions about our radiology service or what to expect during your pet’s procedure, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Digital Dental X ray- If your cat or dog is suffering periodontal disease, much of this damage occurs below the gum line where it can’t be easily seen. Digital dental X-Rays help our veterinarians assess your pet’s oral health.
Digital X-Rays are safer for your pet. They allow our team of veterinary professionals to examine roots, bones and internal anatomy of your cat or dog’s teeth.
With digital X-Rays, the risk of radiation exposure for your pet is significantly lower than with traditional X-Ray technology. We are able to see below the surface of your pet’s gum line to fully evaluate each tooth.
This technology allows our vet to see results immediately, then project them onto a computer screen to review.