Veterinary Lab & Diagnostics

On-Site Imaging & Diagnostics

At Admirals Walk Pet Hospital our diagnostics lab is equipped with a range of tools and technology to assist our veterinary team in the diagnosis of health problems in dogs and cats. The tools and technology we use include the following:

• Radiography (Digital X-rays)

  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 tumours. 

• Digital Dental X-Rays

  If your cat or dog is suffering from periodontal disease, much of the damage occurs below the gum line, where it can't be easily seen. Digital X-Rays allow your veterinarian to examine the 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. This allows your vet to see below the surface of your pet's gum line to fully evaluate each individual tooth.

• Ultrasound

  With ultrasound imaging, your pet's body will be exposed to high-frequency sound waves to produce real-time images of the inside of the body. This enables visualization of the structure and movement of your pet's internal organs, as well as the flow of blood through the blood vessels.

  We currently bring a mobile ultrasonographer to our hospital but are looking forward to offering in-house ultrasounds soon.

• ECG / EKG

  If your veterinarian performs a physical examination and suspects your pet may have a heart disorder, we usually take chest X-Rays and an electrocardiogram.

  This procedure can be completed easily and quickly. It reveals data that may be integral to your pet's diagnosis. In other cases, a cardiac ultrasound may be required to identify disorders in the chambers of the heart.

• Bloodwork

  There are a number of common and targeted blood tests that can help your vet determine the health of your pet and diagnose illnessess.

  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. 

• Fecal Exams

  Fecal exams are microscopic examinations of your pet's feces. Your vet will likely ask you to bring a fresh stool sample with you to your pet's appointment.

  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.  

• 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. 

• Cytology

  Your veterinarian will collect a cell sample from your pet and examine it under a microscope. They use this test to see if your furry companion has cancer.

  It can also be implemented to evaluate the kidneys, liver, bodily fluids such as urine, and external surfaces of your pet's body, including the eyes, mouth, and breathing passages.