Diagnostic Care

In-House Laboratory

The in-house diagnostic laboratory at Animal Medical Clinic of Gulf Gate gives our doctors and staff the capability to provide accurate and time-conscious diagnostic results for our clients and their pets. This is especially critical in cases involving illness or injury diagnoses, and also beneficial for general wellness tests like annual fecal exams and routine preventative blood work.

Blood work is typically recommended annually, similarly to a physical wellness exam. The reason for this is that diagnostic laboratory testing goes deeper than a surface-level physical exam by revealing blood chemistry levels, organ functioning, and underlying disorders. All of this, in tandem with a physical examination, gives us a complete dataset of your pet's health.

Having a modern and fully-equipped diagnostic laboratory on-site sets us apart from other veterinary hospitals that depend on outside labs to return results for their patients. This is a process that not only takes more time, but can hinder the integrity of test results.

Common diagnostic tests performed in our in-house laboratory include, but are not limited to:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most frequently run diagnostic tests at our facility. It provides a wealth of information about a pet's overall health condition by measuring the amount of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in a blood sample. This information helps us to identify conditions such as anemia, infection, inflammation, and leukemia, to name a few.
• Blood Chemistry Panel reveals organ health and functioning, is used as a baseline of health, and monitors treatment success.
• Urinalysis provides a good indication of your pet's overall health, and can aid in the detection of urinary tract infections, liver disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and dehydration.
• Thyroid tests gauge the output of the thyroid gland to determine if a pet is over or under-producing hormones necessary for metabolism and energy. This test benefits pets of all ages, and becomes increasingly important as pets enter their senior years.
• Electrolytes Testing is used to monitor general health condition, dehydration, and bone metabolism.
• Fecal Exams confirm the presence of intestinal parasites, as well as digestive issues, pancreatic disorders, internal bleeding, and some diseases.
• Skin scrapings is one of the most common dermatological tests, and tests for the presence of parasites and fungi.

Digital X-Ray

Digital radiography, commonly known as digital x-ray, is an essential diagnostic tool that aids our clinical team in the diagnosis of innumerable medical conditions. Using advanced medical technology, digital radiography takes a look inside the body and exposes information that may not be observable from the outside using precise, high-quality images.

This procedure is completely safe, painless, and non-invasive. It also takes very little time, so your pet will be more comfortable and less stressed. A very low dose of radiation is omitted, making it safe for pets of all ages and health statuses.

We employ digital radiography to assess the health of almost any organ in the body, including the heart, lungs, and abdominal organs, as well as the bones. By evaluating the size, shape, and position of the organs and bones, we can make more informed diagnoses, and therefore prescribe more effective treatments.

The size of the organs is meaningful because some medical conditions alter organ size, such as kidney disease, liver disease, and heart disease. The shape and position of these organs is also important, and can reveal serious health concerns, such as cancer, tumors, and intestinal blockages. Digital radiography is used to diagnose a variety of other conditions too, such as bladder stones, broken bones, chronic arthritis, and certain spinal cord diseases.

Allergy & Dermatology Testing

Allergies and dermatological issues can cause a pet significant pain and irritation and, left untreated, can lead to mental distress as well. Dermatitis is the general term for any condition afflicting the skin. There are a number of reasons a pet may acquire dermatitis, including allergies, hormonal disorders, autoimmune diseases, cancer, tumors, and infection.

Our medical team is highly trained to pinpoint the root of allergic and dermatological concerns, so your pet can regain physical comfort and mental relief.

Allergens are found everywhere; in the environment in which we live, the food we eat, and the air we breathe. Common allergens include weeds and grasses, pollen and flowers, wheat or grains, protein sources such as fish or chicken, perfumes, and household cleaners.

Review the signs of dermatological conditions below:

• Flaky or red skin
• Excessive licking or biting of the skin
• Excessive itching
• Excessive shedding
• Hair loss
• Lumps or bumps on the skin
• Watery or irritated eyes
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Behavioral changes resulting from distress/irritation

If you notice one or more of these conditions in your pet, and your pet appears visibly distressed, please do not wait to seek medical attention. We are always here to help.

Diagnosis

The first step is to diagnose the root cause of your pet's dermatitis. In some cases, our veterinarians can make a diagnosis simply by visually examining your pet's skin, nails, and coat.

If further examination is required, we will recommend diagnostic tests such as skin scrapings, blood samples, and allergy tests. Fortunately, Animal Medical Clinic of Gulf Gate has an on-site diagnostic laboratory that allows us to efficiently process such tests so treatment can begin sooner.

Treatment

Based on the diagnostic results and severity of your pet's dermatological discomfort, our medical team will work with you to devise an appropriate and effective treatment plan. This may involve topical creams, oral medications, injections, avoidance of the allergen, or a combination of treatment approaches.