Pet In-House Laboratory & Imaging

What Our Laboratory Can Tell Us

At V.E.T. Care Hospital, our in-house laboratory enables us to perform complete blood counts, chemistry panels, urinalysis, fecal testing, and cytology. Many results are available during the same visit, helping us make timely decisions about your pet’s care.

Bloodwork can reveal changes that aren’t apparent during a physical exam, including concerns involving the kidneys, liver, blood sugar, thyroid, or blood cells. Testing during preventive and wellness care visits can also give us a baseline to compare with future results.

We also offer digital X-rays, ultrasound, and endoscopy on site. Your veterinarian will recommend the tests that fit your pet’s symptoms and explain what the results mean.

Common Questions About Pet Diagnostics

It’s reasonable to ask why your pet needs a test, when results will be ready, and what it may cost. Below, we answer common questions about our diagnostic services. If we recommend a test for your pet, we’ll explain what we’re looking for and how the result could guide their care.

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How quickly will I get results?

Most bloodwork, urinalysis, and cytology run through our in-house laboratory at V.E.T. Care Hospital return within minutes. Digital X-ray and ultrasound images appear immediately. A handful of specialized tests still go to an outside laboratory and take a few days, and we will tell you upfront which category your pet's test falls into.

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Why does my healthy pet need bloodwork?

Bloodwork while your pet is healthy gives us a baseline for future visits. What’s normal for one animal may differ from another, even when both results fall within the standard range. Comparing your pet’s results over time can help us spot changes in kidney, liver, or thyroid function before symptoms become obvious.

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What is the difference between an X-ray and an ultrasound?

X-rays are best for bone, chest, and anything dense, including fractures, bladder stones, and swallowed objects. Ultrasound gives a moving view of soft tissue and works well for the heart, liver, kidneys, and intestines. They answer different questions, so our veterinarians sometimes recommend both for the same patient.

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Do you perform diagnostics on exotic pets?

We offer bloodwork, X-rays, and fecal testing for exotic pets. The tests we can perform and how we collect samples depend on the species and your pet’s size. Our team will explain what’s appropriate for your pet before proceeding.

Imaging That Shows Us Inside

Digital X-rays help us examine bones, the chest, and the abdomen. They can reveal fractures, arthritis, bladder stones, enlarged organs, or swallowed objects. The images are available right away for our veterinarians to review and can be shared with a specialist when needed.

Ultrasound gives us a moving view of organs and other soft tissues. It can help us evaluate the heart, liver, kidneys, bladder, and digestive tract. Endoscopy uses a small camera to look inside parts of the airway or digestive tract. Our veterinarians will recommend the imaging test that best answers the question about your pet’s health.

When We Recommend Testing

Testing is a means to an answer, not a box we check on every visit.

We recommend diagnostic tests when the results can help guide your pet’s care. Testing may help us investigate unclear symptoms, assess your pet before anesthesia, or monitor a known condition. Our team will explain what each test looks for and how the results may affect the plan.

Routine bloodwork is often part of senior pet care, with the schedule tailored to your pet’s health. Skin scrapings and cytology can help us investigate concerns during pet dermatology and allergy care. Explore our veterinary services for other care options.

Laboratory

Our in-house laboratory performs complete blood counts, chemistry panels, urinalysis, fecal testing, and cytology. Many results are available during the same visit, though timing depends on the test and sample.

Imaging

We offer digital X-rays, ultrasound, and endoscopy on site. Images can be reviewed promptly and shared with a specialist when a second opinion would help.

A veterinarian in scrubs gently examines a large white dog on an exam