When your pet isn’t acting normally, it is natural to feel worried. Getting answers is the first step toward treatment that will address the problem and help your pet feel better. West Park Animal Hospital offers gentle and thorough pet diagnostic services, including X-rays, CT scans, ultrasound, endoscopes, EKG testing, and in-house lab work. Our team treats pets in West Park, North Olmsted, Berea, Rocky River, Lakewood, Fairview Park, and Cleveland, Ohio, to help you find peace of mind about your furry family member’s well-being.

Key Takeaways

• Veterinary diagnostics are a crucial part of finding out what is wrong with your pet. After diagnosing the cause of their symptoms, we can plan an effective treatment.
• Urgent diagnostics are recommended if your pet is experiencing vomiting, diarrhea, appetite changes, limping, coughing, changes in breathing, or lethargy.
• West Park Animal Hospital offers a variety of advanced diagnostic services to get accurate answers as quickly as possible, letting us move on to treatment.

Why Do Veterinary Diagnostics Matter?

When your pet is acting hurt, sick, or distressed, it can be hard to determine what’s wrong at first glance. Pets can’t tell us what they are experiencing, and many common symptoms of pet sickness can relate to multiple different conditions. Pet diagnostics use advanced machinery and lab tests to find out the underlying cause so that veterinarians can plan an appropriate treatment. We can use diagnostics to identify the cause for:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Appetite changes
• Limping
• Coughing
• Changes in breathing
• Lethargy

Prompt diagnostics are especially important when illness comes on suddenly. In an emergency situation, there is no time to wait for answers. Our tools provide fast confirmation so we can start treating your pet as soon as possible.

What Diagnostic Services Does West Park Animal Hospital Offer?

West Park Animal Hospital is proud to offer a wide range of diagnostic services and technologies. With multiple test options available, we have the tools to uncover the cause of a variety of symptoms. Some of the tools we have on-site include:

Digital X-Rays

X-rays capture detailed images of bones, joints, and hard objects, helping us diagnose fractures, blockages, and dental issues. Our modern machines use less radiation than traditional X-rays, and sedation usually isn’t required if your animal stays calm. The results appear instantly, letting us evaluate the images and walk you through our findings right away.

CT Scans

Computed tomography (CT) scans use computer programs to assemble a 3D model from X-ray imaging. The exceptional detail provides more information than a standard X-ray can, helping us identify and evaluate issues like tooth root disease, brain tumors, and nasal polyps.

Ultrasounds

Ultrasound imaging provides real-time visuals of your pet’s internal health, helping us pinpoint soft tissue or organ conditions such as inflammation, pregnancy, tumors, or fluid build-up. The dynamic images also provide more complete answers than a still X-ray can. Ultrasound uses gentle, non-invasive sound waves to create images with little or no stress for your pet.

Electrocardiography

An electrocardiogram (EKG) is used to evaluate your pet’s heart health. By recording electrical activity, this test identifies cardiac issues such as arrhythmias and heart disease. Many heart conditions do not cause symptoms early on, making EKGs a valuable tool for detecting conditions before they cause serious complications. It is also used to improve safety during anesthesia.

In-House Laboratory

Our in-house laboratory performs blood work, parasite screening, urinalysis, ear and skin cytology’s, and more. We perform tests on-site to get results sooner, and advanced machinery ensures accuracy with every test. Lab results can help to diagnose feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), parvovirus, yeast infections, and other ailments.

Endoscopy

An endoscope is a narrow, flexible tube with a camera and light on the end. While your pet is sedated, we guide the camera through the mouth or rectum to examine portions of the gastrointestinal tract. Endoscopy can be used to look for inflammation, take biopsies of diseased tissue, clear blockages, or remove foreign bodies.

Get Pet Diagnostic Services Near You in OH

Your pet is family. When something seems off, don’t delay getting answers. West Park Animal Hospital is a trusted resource for families in West Park, North Olmsted, Berea, Rocky River, Lakewood, Fairview Park, and Cleveland, OH, caring for pets with compassion and a commitment to their well-being. Contact us today to learn more about our pet diagnostics or to schedule routine or emergency diagnostics.

FAQs About Pet Diagnostics

Is diagnostic testing painful for pets?

While diagnostic testing is an unfamiliar experience that might be stressful for pets, it is not painful. Our compassionate team at West Park Animal Hospital performs diagnostics as gently and as efficiently as possible for a low-stress experience.

Will my pet need sedation for imaging?

Whether or not your pet needs sedation depends on their temperament and the imaging test required. X-rays and ultrasounds usually do not require sedation if the pet is calm, although sedation may be required if your pet is restless or if we need images of a sensitive area. CT scans always require full anesthesia to ensure a clear image.

How quickly can a vet get lab results?

West Park Animal Hospital has an in-house laboratory, so most of the time we don’t have to send samples to another location. This lets us get lab results quickly. The majority of the tests will have results available the same day or the next day. Some samples, such as those requiring culture or histopathology, need to be sent to an outside laboratory. Depending on the type of test, results for these samples can take up to two weeks.

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