2826 Church Street, Pine Plains, NY 12567
Trusted Veterinary Diagnostic Services
As a pet owner, it can be stressful when your furry friend is not feeling well. You want to make sure they receive the best care possible, and that includes accurate and timely diagnosis. That’s where veterinary diagnostic care comes in. With the use of advanced tools and technology, we can quickly and accurately diagnose your pet’s health issues.
Pet X-Rays
Pet X-rays, also known as radiographs, are one of the most commonly used diagnostic tools in veterinary care. They use electromagnetic radiation to produce images of the inside of your pet’s body.
X-rays are particularly useful for detecting:
- Bone fractures
- Foreign objects
- Abnormalities in the lungs and abdomen
- Monitor the progression of certain diseases, such as arthritis
Preparing for a Pet X-Ray
Before the procedure, we may ask you to fast your pet for a few hours. This is to ensure that there is no food or gas in their stomach that could interfere with the x-ray images. You may also be asked to remove any collars, tags, or other metal objects from your pet’s body.
What to Expect During the Procedure
The pet X-ray procedure is a quick and painless process for your pet. We will first place your pet on a table or in a special holder to keep them still during the x-ray. Depending on the area being examined, your pet may need to be sedated to ensure they stay still. The x-ray machine will then be positioned over the area of interest and a technician will take the x-ray. The entire process usually takes less than 10 minutes.
After the Procedure
After the X-ray, we will review the images and discuss the results with you. If any abnormalities are found, further testing or treatment may be recommended.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound, also known as sonography, is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that uses high-frequency sound waves to create real-time images of your pet's internal organs. Unlike X-rays, ultrasound is especially useful for evaluating soft tissue structures and can capture movement, such as a beating heart or blood flow.
Ultrasound is particularly useful for detecting:
- Abnormalities in the heart, liver, kidneys, spleen, and bladder
- Tumors or masses in soft tissue
- Pregnancy and fetal monitoring
- Fluid buildup in the abdomen or chest
- Guiding needle biopsies or fluid aspirations
Preparing for a Pet Ultrasound
Your pet may need to fast for several hours before the procedure, as food in the stomach can interfere with image quality. We may also need to shave a small area of fur over the region being examined so the ultrasound probe can make direct contact with the skin.
What to Expect During the Procedure
The ultrasound procedure is painless and typically does not require sedation, though anxious or wiggly pets may need mild sedation to stay still. Your pet will be gently positioned on their back or side, and a small amount of gel will be applied to their skin to help the ultrasound probe transmit sound waves clearly. A technician will move the probe over the area of interest while images are displayed on a monitor in real time. Most ultrasounds take between 15 and 45 minutes, depending on what is being examined.
After the Procedure
Once the ultrasound is complete, we will review the images and discuss our findings with you. In many cases, results can be discussed the same day. If further evaluation is needed, we may recommend additional testing, a biopsy, or a treatment plan based on what we find.
In-House Laboratory
In-house laboratory testing is a valuable tool in veterinary diagnostic care. It allows us to quickly and accurately diagnose your pet’s health issues without having to send samples to an outside lab. This means that treatment can begin sooner, leading to a faster recovery for your pet. In-house laboratory testing can include blood work, urine analysis, and fecal exams. These tests can help detect infections, organ dysfunction, and other health issues.
Parasite Testing
Parasite testing is the process of analyzing a sample of your pet’s feces or blood to check for the presence of parasites. These parasites can include worms, protozoa, and other organisms that can cause harm to your pet’s health. Testing is important because many parasites do not show obvious symptoms until they have already caused damage to your pet’s health.
Heartworm/Lyme/Ehrlichia/Anaplasma SNAP Testing
The heartworm-lyme-ehrlichia-anaplasma SNAP test is a simple and effective way to test your pet for three common tick-borne illnesses, (Lyme disease, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma) and one mosquito-born illness (heartworm). It is a rapid, in-house test that can provide results in just a few minutes, making it a convenient option for both pet owners and our team.
The SNAP test is a simple and non-invasive procedure. A small blood sample is taken from your pet, usually from a vein in the leg or neck. The sample is then placed on a test strip, which contains antigens for each of the four diseases being tested for.
FIV/FeLV Snap Testing
FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) and FeLV (feline leukemia virus) are two common viruses that can affect cats. These viruses can weaken your cat’s immune system and make them more susceptible to other illnesses. FIV/FeLV Snap testing is a simple blood test that can detect the presence of these viruses in your cat. Early detection is key in managing these viruses and providing the best care for your cat.
Urinalysis
Pet urinalysis is a diagnostic test that examines a sample of your pet’s urine to evaluate their overall health. It is a non-invasive and painless procedure that can provide valuable insights into your pet’s well-being. By analyzing your pet’s urine, we can detect early signs of potential health problems and provide timely treatment.
Additionally, pet urinalysis can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of a current treatment plan and track any changes in your pet’s health over time.
There are a few different methods for collecting a urine sample from your pet, depending on their size and behavior. For dogs, a clean, empty container can be held under them as they urinate. For cats, a non-absorbent litter can be used to collect a sample from their litter box.
In some cases, we may need to collect a urine sample directly from your pet’s bladder using a needle and syringe.