Diagnostic Tests for Pets and Why They're Important

Diagnostic Tests for Pets and Why They’re Important

April 2, 2022

Your cat or dog is not just a pet but a member of your family, and they have a significant contribution to your well-being and happiness. This is why it’s vital that they get the best medical attention throughout their lives. This occasionally involves subjecting your pets to diagnostic tests.

What Is Diagnostic Testing in Pets?

When your cat or dog shows signs that it might be having a health problem, the veterinarian will utilize various techniques and tests to figure out what the issue might be. Some worrying signs that may indicate a test is needed include changes in your pet’s body weight, temperature, energy levels, and appetite. Diagnostic testing in pets is meant to figure out what medical problem might be affecting your pet. In other instances, diagnostic testing can reveal ailments in your pets that were yet to show any signs or symptoms. This allows for early treatment preventing the condition from becoming more critical.

Common Types of Diagnostic Tests for Animals in Saint Francisville

  • Clinical chemistry

This diagnostic test involves studying the chemical composition of a sample collected from your pet. Typically, this sample is blood plasma, but other bodily fluids can also be examined. Clinical chemistry is vital in establishing your pet’s health as it reveals how well its various organs like the liver and kidneys are functioning. As a result, the vet can diagnose disorders like pancreatitis and diabetes. This diagnostic test can also reveal how well your pet responds to its current treatment.

  • Hematology

This pet diagnostic test studies the cellular elements of its blood like the platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells and how they change in health and illness. The most prevalent hematological test is a complete blood count (CBC) test. The CBC tells the number and types of cells available in your pet’s blood and can also reveal basic information about whether it has anemia, clotting, and inflammation.

  • Cytology

Cytology is the study of individual cells. This diagnostic test will provide the vet with information about the cells in your pet’s body. Samples of tissue are collected from your pet utilizing fine-needle biopsy and subjected to a microscopic examination. The analysis can show whether cancerous cells are present in your pet’s body and also reveals whether the tumor is malignant or benign.

  • Toxicology

This scientific test studies poisons and their potential effects on animals. If your vet suspects that your cat or dog has been poisoned, various samples will be collected and subjected to a toxicology test. The test will reveal the type of poison affecting your pet and how much of it is in its body. This information will be very useful in treating the pet.

Bring Your Pet to St. Francisville Animal Hospital

Are you a pet owner living in St. Francisville, Los Angeles or the nearby areas? Whenever you need your pet to receive top-quality medical attention, you should bring them to St. Francisville Animal Hospital. We have been providing exceptional medical services to pets in this region since 1984. All our veterinarians are highly-trained, certified, and experienced. Call us today and find out why we are regarded as the top veterinary clinic in the region.

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