Diagnostics

Our in-house laboratory is equipped with the latest equipment and allows our veterinarians to analyse and diagnose specific health conditions. These tests assist with monitoring treatments & checking organs that cannot be checked with a physical examination.Our lab allows our veterinarians to perform a range of diagnostic tests to achieve an accurate, rapid response. commonly we run diagnostic tests including:

• Blood tests which include: haematology (identifies white & red blood cell health) & biochemistry (which assesses the health parameters of organs & electrolytes)

• Urinalysis testing which assesses urine & identifies any problems that can arise from a number of conditions. It also includes checking the ability of the urine to concentrate properly & for the identification of crystal formation.

• Faecal float tests which involves assessing faeces for the presence of worm eggs.

• Cytology testing involves looking at samples on a slide under a microscope. Common examples include fine-needle aspirates (FNA’s) of lumps, swabs from ear infections & skin/hair follicle scrapings.

All of these tests can have results within minutes.Having an in-house laboratory assists us in providing valuable information about our patient’s anaesthetic safety. A simple blood test before a surgical procedure to check liver and kidney function is vital to ensure they are able to break down the anaesthetic drugs.For older pets we recommend a 6 monthly wellness blood test as this allows for early detection of disease and illness that can be preventable or easily managed.

Cytology is the microscopic examination of cells that have been collected from the body. By examining the appearance of these cells, including their number, size, shape, color, internal characteristics, and how they fit together with their neighbors, it is often possible to make a diagnosis of a specific disease process.

Cytology is most often used to diagnose the nature of 'lumps and bumps' found on the surface of the body. However, cytology can also be used to evaluate:

• internal organs, such as the liver, lungs, lymph nodes, and kidneys

• body fluids, such as urine or joint fluid

• abnormal accumulations of fluids (called effusions), especially in the chest and abdomen

• various surfaces of the body, both external and internal (e.g., mouth, eyes, breathing passages, or vagina)

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Our clinic is able to provide cytological evaluations rapdily to help ensure that you and your pet get the answers you need as soon as possible. 

Sonography or ultrasound is a non-invasive, pain-free procedure that uses sound waves to examine a pet’s internal organs and other structures inside the body. It can be used to evaluate the animal’s heart, kidneys, liver, gallbladder, and bladder; liver, gallbladder, and bladder; to detect fluid, cysts, tumors, or abscesses; and to confirm pregnancy or monitor an ongoing pregnancy.We may use this imaging technique in conjunction with radiography (x-rays) and other diagnostic methods to ensure a proper diagnosis.

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.We routinely use x-rays to help identify the cause of problems, 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.

This minimally invasive procedure allows a veterinarian to see inside a pet’s body and, when necessary, take biopsies (tissue samples) and particularly valuable in retrieving swallowed items without having to perform surgery. Endoscopy is commonly used to examine the inside of the ears, nose, oesophagus, colon, bladder, stomach, and other internal organs.To perform this procedure, the veterinarian inserts the endoscope (a long tube with a camera at one end) into the area to be examined. Endoscopy does require that your pet be placed under anaesthesia. As with all such procedures, we follow strict protocols and continually monitor your pet’s vital signs to help ensure their safety.

In some cases where special blood tests are required to further work-up a case or if histopathology testing is required on surgical biopsy samples, we send the samples to an external lab in Brisbane. This can take a little longer, normally a few days at the most.