Pet Diagnostic Testing

at Gardens Animal Hospital

From bloodwork, digital urinalysis, digital cytology, radiology (x-ray) & ultrasound, at Gardens Animal Hospital, we offer fast, comprehensive, in-house lab results so you understand the full scope of your pet’s source of disease or health profile. By delivering speedy diagnostics, we can formulate and implement a plan to address your pet’s issues immediately and completely, offering optimal outcomes for the benefit of their future health prognosis.

Scroll to view more details about our pet diagnostic testing for dogs and cats at our Palm Beach Gardens, Florida location.

Pet Diagnostic Services

Pet diagnostics and pet laboratory testing is important both during a wellness checkup, as well as when your pet isn’t feeling themselves. Having a full range of laboratory testing capabilities at our Palm Beach Gardens office means we can diagnose and treat your pet quickly and completely.

Our range of in-house laboratory testing includes:

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Diagnostic Tests for Puppies & Kittens

As your pet’s veterinary physician, we take seriously the care we give them for a lifetime. This begins the very moment you become a member of our practice at Gardens Animal Hospital. During your pet’s very first evaluation, we will administer routine diagnostic tests, which include a full blood panel and a stool sample. This is to detect the presence of any pathogens and to provide insight into any imbalances your pet may have.

For young pets, like puppies and kittens, these initial diagnostic tests are critical so we can see if they’ve contracted any worms or parasites. The likelihood of parasites and/or worms in your puppy or kitten is surprisingly high and is not associated with poor living conditions. Therefore, we require that all young animals be tested for such pathogens, treated immediately, and then prescribed a monthly flea, tick, and heartworm protocol to keep them pathogen-free between visits.

Diagnostic Tests for Adult Dogs and Cats

Your pet’s annual wellness visit is a special opportunity for our veterinary team to check in on their overall health. While we will perform a physical examination, checking their heart and lungs, weight, eyes, ears, teeth, skin and coat, joint health and abdomen, there are tests we will administer to ensure their internal health is also at its best. Some common tests include a stool test, urinalysis, blood test, and Vaccine Titer Testing. This helps our team determine if they have healthy levels of active antibodies (from previous vaccinations) and a whole host of other details to inform that appointment’s recommendations for a healthy year ahead.

Sick Visit Tests

When you bring your pet into Gardens Animal Hospital for a “sick” visit, we’re going to perform a full evaluation on them and include diagnostic testing necessary to pinpoint their exact source of dis-ease. Which tests they receive depends on the symptoms their exhibiting. For instance, if your pet is limping, we will recommend an imaging diagnostic test, such as a digital x-ray. If they are having symptoms like lethargy, constipation, and blood in their stool, we may administer a digital x-ray in combination with an ultrasound to determine if there is a foreign body blockage.

There are so many ways our pets can fall ill, and so much of what ails them cannot be seen from a physical examination. We rely on these pet diagnostic tests so we can, with 100% certainty, diagnose your pet’s issue and get them the treatment and therapy they need to feel like themselves again.

Frequently Asked

Questions

Does pet insurance cover diagnostic tests?
The good news is that most pet insurance plans do cover diagnostic testing. In many cases, you can expect your pet’s health coverage to cover blood tests, digital x-rays, and ultrasound procedures if they are prescribed by your veterinary physician in response to an illness. However, each pet’s insurance plan is different, so our team at Gardens Animal Hospital will review the details of your pet health insurance plan and discuss what your contribution may be for their diagnosis and treatment recommendation.
During your pet’s wellness checkup, Gardens Animal Hospital may run a scan of your dog or cat’s urine, fecal matter, and bookwork to ensure their biological values are in a healthy range. Not only do these tests help us pinpoint if your dog or cat is having an existing internal issue that we cannot see, but these regular tests are incredibly valuable in catching early onset problems that may affect your pet down the road. This proactive approach to your pet’s total health is among the best ways we can help them live longer, healthier lives.

There are many reasons why we rely on advanced diagnostic tests for your pet. Aside from regular fluid scans and a visual checkup during their wellness appointments, our veterinary doctors will order diagnostic tests in advance of any surgery so that our pet anesthesiologist can complete necessary pre-anesthetic testing. Dental procedures also require a full-mouth digital x-ray so our veterinary dentists can see if any problems are hiding under the gumline. Most importantly, we will run diagnostic tests on your pet if they are experiencing any obvious or unexplainable problems, such as lethargy, pain, rapid weight loss, changes in behavior, and blood in the urine or stool, just to name a few. These tests may reveal that your pet is suffering from common issues that can go undetected otherwise, like a fracture, arthritis, gastrointestinal issues, urinary stones, an orthopedic condition like hip dysplasia or even an internal cyst or mass.

Related Departments

Annual wellness exams keep your pet in tip-top shape. Our specialists at Gardens Animal Hospital develop a wellness program that’s right for your pet, prioritizing diet, exercise, coat health, and cognitive optimization.

Whether your pet is exhibiting a painful injury, has contracted a sudden illness, or just isn’t feeling themselves, the staff at Gardens Animal Hospital is available to schedule and see your pet for a sick visit 6 days a week starting from 8 am!

Palm Beach Gardens Animal Hospital offers a full suite of surgical services for your cat or dog, from spaying and neutering early in life, to orthopedic surgeries, urgent surgical needs, and even cancer care.