Diagnostic Test Information

Common Diagnostic Tests

Complete Blood Count

This test gives information about the quantities of red cells, white cells, and platelets in the blood. It is useful in detecting anemia, inflammation, infection, and clotting disorders.

• Blood Chemistry Profile—This is a combination of tests that provides information to determine if the organ systems are diseased or injured.
• Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)—This is an enzyme that is released into the bloodstream when liver cells are injured.
• Albumin (ALB)—This is a small protein manufactured in the liver. Diminished levels indicate intestinal disease, inflammation, or chronic liver and/or kidney disease.
• Alkaline Phosphatase (ALKP)—This is an enzyme found in many tissues, including bone and liver. Liver or bone disease, Cushing¹s disease and steroid therapy will cause elevations in ALKP.
• Amylase (AMYL)—This is a product of the pancreas that aids digestion. Levels often become elevated in pancreatic disease, intestinal disease, or kidney disease.
• Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)—This is produced in the liver and excreted by the kidneys. Kidney disease and dehydration cause elevations, while low levels may indicate liver disease.
• Calcium (CA+)—The ionized form of this mineral is critical for many physiologic processes. Many diseases, some toxins and some types of tumors can lead to abnormal calcium levels.
• Cholesterol (CHOL)—This lipoprotein is an important building block for compounds such as hormones. A variety of disorders can cause elevations, such as hypothyroidism and liver or kidney disease.
• Creatinine (CREA)—This is a waste product of muscle metabolism that is excreted by the kidneys. Kidney disease or urinary tract obstruction will cause elevations.
• Glucose (GLU)—This is also known as blood sugar. In cats, stress alone can cause high levels. Elevations can also indicate diabetes mellitus. Low glucose levels are often associated with infection, some tumors, and liver disease.
• Phosphorus (PHOS)—This element in various forms is an important buffer and building block. Altered phosphorus levels occur with kidney disease, some toxins, hypoparathyroidism, and some cancers.
• Total Bilirubin (TBILI)—This is a degradation product of hemoglobin, the oxygen carrying component of red blood cells. It is the main composition in bile. Levels become elevated in liver disease or when large numbers of red blood cells are destroyed.
• Total Protein (TP)—Levels of total protein become altered in dehydration, inflammation, and diseases of the kidney, liver, and intestines.

Electrolytes: Sodium, Potassium and Chloride (Na+, K+, Cl-)

The natural balance of electrolytes is critical to your pet's health. Alterations in electrolyte balance are potentially life-threatening. Electrolytes levels are important to monitor when diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, kidney disease or heart disease are present.

Urinalysis (U/A)

This important test helps detect not only urinary tract infections, but also diseases of the kidney, liver and pancreas.

Thyroxine (T4)

This is a thyroid hormone. Measurement of the level of T4 is useful for detecting thyroid disease. Both cats and dogs suffer from thyroid diseases, and these can have serious consequences of left untreated. Older cats are at particular risk, and should be tested regularly.

Heartworm Test (HWT)

This blood test is used to identify parasites which reside in the heart and major vessels to the lungs. A combination test, the 4DX Test, detects not only heartworms but also three diseases transmitted by ticks: Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, and Anaplasmosis.

Feline Leukemia Virus (FELV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

This test identifies these life-threatening viral infections of cats.

Fungal Culture

This is a test to grow and identify the fungi that infect the skin in the disease known as ringworm. People can also get ringworm, so often these tests are run to see if the pet is a carrier of these fungi.

Cytology

In this test, cells collected from lumps, fluids and suspicious tissues are stained and examined under a microscope to identify infection, inflammation, and cancers.

Skin Scraping

In this test, cells and debris are gently scraped from the skin and evaluated with a microscope to diagnose skin parasites and skin infections.

Fecal Test

This is a two step test that can identify the presence of gastrointestinal parasites and protozoa.

Further Diagnostics

Electrocardiograph (ECG)

This machine measures the heart rate and rhythm. Heart disease as well as other metabolic diseases or drugs can cause an abnormal heart rate and/or rhythms which can be harmful or even fatal. Performing an ECG helps us plan better care for patients with these diseases. Anesthetized patients are also monitored with this equipment.

Ultrasonography

The ultrasound machine permits non-invasive visualization of internal organs by initiating sound waves and interpreting the echoes that return from the body tissues. It is particularly useful in assessment of the bladder, evidence of pregnancy, organs, and heart.

Endoscopy

Rigid endoscopy allows visualization of hard to reach areas, such as ears, mouth, and throat. It is particularly useful in monitoring the response to therapy for diseases of these areas.

Radiography

X-rays are critical for the assessment of bones and internal organs. Our new digital radiograph machine provides patient images in seconds. The images are automatically downloaded into the computer patient file for easy access. They can also be sent via e-mail or DVD to a board certified radiologist if a second opinion is desired. These views can be enlarged, and the contrast changed to better highlight subtle changes.