In-house laboratory
Common laboratory tests include blood chemistries, complete blood counts, blood clotting times, urinalysis, faecal tests and biopsy examination.
Clinical pathology involves the laboratory evaluation of blood, bodily fluids or tissue in order to identify existing disease, monitor treatment protocols or disease progression and to check organs that cannot be checked on a general physical examination.
Some of the conditions that may be diagnosed with in house testing are kidney and liver disease, pancreatitis, diabetes, hormonal problems, infections, parasitism, anaemia and certain cancers determinable by biopsy.
Our clinic is equipped with the latest in-house laboratory that allows our veterinarians to quickly perform many of these diagnostic tests to achieve an accurate and rapid diagnosis. This is especially important in very ill animals and those requiring immediate or emergency treatment.
In-house laboratory facilities also mean that we can provide valuable information about your pet’s anaesthetic safety. A simple in-house blood test on the morning of the surgery allows us to check, among other things, your pet’s liver and kidney function. These two main organs are involved in breaking down and excreting anaesthetic drugs.
A screening blood test is important as an ongoing preventative strategy in our older patients. A simple screening blood test may reveal abnormalities in senior dogs and cats which otherwise appear normal on physical exam alone. Many of the diseases that older pets are susceptible to are preventable or are easily managed if detected early enough, which make wellness blood tests important in senior pets.
Some more specialised tests may need to be performed by an external veterinary laboratory. We are supported by two specialist pathology laboratories which we routinely utilise for extensive blood tests, histopathology and specialist testing.