Diagnostic Technology
When your pet is feeling under the weather, you want answers fast. Chinook Pet Clinic's in-house lab gives our team the tools they need to run a variety of tests right here on-site and get results quickly.
Our Lethbridge veterinarians have the tools and technology they need to obtain vital insights into your dog or cat's health, whether your pet is visiting our animal hospital for routine bloodwork or concerns about bladder or mobility issues.
The detailed findings from your companion's diagnostic tests allow us to provide the targeted treatments your furry friend needs and deserves.
Our Diagnostic Services
Some of the most common diagnostic tests performed at our Lethbridge pet hospital include:
- Radiography (Digital X-rays)
Radiography is safe, painless and non-invasive, using only very low doses of radiation to produce detailed images. Because the level of radiation exposure is very low, even pregnant females and very young pets can undergo this procedure.
Radiographs can be used to evaluate bones and organs and diagnose conditions including broken bones, chronic arthritis, bladder stones, spinal cord diseases and, in some cases, tumours.
- Ultrasound
With ultrasound imaging, veterinarians expose parts of the patient's body to high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the inside of the body.
Because ultrasound images are captured in real time, the veterinarian can see the structure and movement of your pet's internal organs, as well as blood flowing through the blood vessels.
- ECG / EKG
If your veterinarian performs a physical examination and suspects your dog or cat may have a heart disorder, chest X-rays and an electrocardiogram (ECG / EKG) are typically recommended.
ECG/EKG procedures can be completed easily and quickly. They reveal data that may be integral to your pet's diagnosis. In other cases, a cardiac ultrasound may be required to identify disorders in the chambers of the heart.
- Bloodwork
At our veterinary diagnostics lab in Lethbridge, we are able to run a number of common and targeted blood tests to help us determine the health of your companion and to diagnose illness.
Some of the most common veterinary blood tests include CBC (complete blood count), white blood count, hemoglobin and MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration), hematocrit, platelets, eosinophils, and blood serum profile.
- Urinalysis
Urinalysis is a key diagnostic test that provides your veterinarian with essential insights into the physical and chemical properties of your pet's urine.
Urinalysis is primarily used to assess the health of your pet's kidneys and urinary tract system, but it can also be helpful in detecting issues in other organ systems. Additionally, urinalysis is crucial for diagnosing metabolic diseases, such as diabetes.
- Urinalysis
Urinalysis is a key diagnostic test that provides your veterinarian with essential insights into the physical and chemical properties of your pet's urine.
Urinalysis is primarily used to assess the health of your pet's kidneys and urinary tract system, but it can also be helpful in detecting issues in other organ systems. Additionally, urinalysis is crucial for diagnosing metabolic diseases, such as diabetes.
- Fecal Exams
A fecal exam is a microscopic examination of your pet's feces. The ultimate goal of a fecal exam is to identify and treat any GI infections that could be compromising your pet's health and even the health of your family.
In-House Veterinary Lab & Pharmacy
Once your pet has received a diagnosis, your veterinarian can prescribe and supply the medications to help resolve or manage your pet's medical condition. Our in-house pharmacy provides us quick access to the antibiotics your cat or dog needs so treatment can begin as soon as possible.
You can also let us know when you need to refill the prescription. We will have your pet's medicine ready and waiting when you come in.
In-House Pet Health Supplies
Managing medical conditions can sometimes be as simple as changing your pet's diet. Chinook Pet Clinic is committed to providing the best diet and healthcare products to treat medical issues and maintain good health.
Our animal hospital is well-stocked with prescription diets, parasite prevention products, medications and more.
