Diagnostics/Laboratory   Comprehensive Bloodwork  To help with the treatment process, sometimes bloodwork is recommended to properly diagnose your pet and verify if the recommended treatment plan will be the best course for your pet. Certain medications can alter organ function if those organs are already in bad condition. It is always best to get a base line before any medication is started to know if your pet has improved after the treatment is completed. To ensure your pet can properly process and eliminate an anesthetic agent, we can run tests to confirm that your pet’s organs are functioning properly and to find possible hidden health conditions that could put your pet at risk.

Digital Radiography

We provide a digital radiography system to capture body images for diagnostic purposes. Digital x-rays can give our veterinarians a visual representation of your pet’s bones, limbs, torso and more and help find problem spots within their body. This will give us the best visual aid to determine a course of treatment for your pet.

Ultrasounds

Sometimes, blood tests and x-rays do not give us enough information to tell you what is wrong with your cat or dog. At Cole Veterinary Hospital, we have a state-of-the-art ultrasound machine which we can use to further evaluate your pet’s internal organs

An Ultrasound Examination Is Painless and Non-Invasive

An ultrasound machine works by bouncing sound waves off different organs in the body, and using those returning sound waves to create a picture. Because it uses sound waves, ultrasound examinations do not expose your dogs or cats to any additional ionizing radiation like multiple series of x-rays can potentially do. An ultrasound examination is painless and non-invasive. If your pet is exhibiting pain or discomfort, we will often give a pain injection prior to the examination. Otherwise, most pets will lie on their backs on a cushioned trough in a darkened room. The exam itself usually takes less than one hour.

The Appropriate Treatment

There are many uses of the ultrasound machine in a veterinary practice. Some common uses include:

• Evaluation of internal organs for tumors
• Evaluating the size and shape of the internal organs
• Evaluating peristalsis, or intestinal motility
• Evaluating the heart’s blood flow and muscle structure
• Obtaining samples for evaluation such as urine, abdominal fluid, or samples from tumors.

This information helps us to determine the appropriate treatment for your pet, or guides us in the process of referral.