Cat & Dog Imaging and Diagnostics
Has your pet been acting strange? Is your dog or cat looking more lethargic than usual, and you’re not sure why? If so, we can help you look for answers. Mille Lacs Veterinary Group offers advanced cat and dog imaging and diagnostic services which allow us to examine dogs and cats internally. These services include X-rays, ultrasound, urine and fecal testing, comprehensive in-house blood panels, and an extensive array of tests available from our outside diagnostic lab.
Ultrasound & X-rays
X-rays and ultrasound are two of the most commonly used forms of diagnostic imaging in veterinary medicine. With an ultrasound exam, we produce a two-dimensional image of the internal organs in real time using the echoes of sound waves. We can examine any organ in the body, including the heart. X-rays are similar to ultrasound in that they also allow for a safe, non-invasive internal examination. Yet, instead of sound waves, they use radiation to create the image. The main difference, however, is that ultrasound is excellent for visualizing organs (soft tissue) and X-rays are more helpful for visualizing bones.
Some of the conditions that we assess/diagnose with ultrasound and/or X-ray technology include:
- Fractures
- Foreign bodies
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Cysts and tumors
- Pregnancy
- Heart problems
- Lameness (orthopedic diagnostics)
- Limb deformity (orthopedic diagnostics)
Our in-house diagnostics lab allows us to test your pet’s blood, stool, or urine to check for signs of disease. We use this service frequently for senior pets to monitor their health. However, it can also be an invaluable tool for identifying the cause of illness in pets of any age. With our in-house lab equipment, we can perform:
- Urinalysis (checks for UTI, diabetes, kidney disease)
- Fecal flotation testing (checks for parasites, digestive tract issues)
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Cytology (studies cells/cell clusters for signs of cancer)
- T4 (evaluates thyroid function, checks for thyroid diseases)
- Glucose testing (checks blood sugar levels)
For more complex cases, we will send your pet’s blood, urine, or fecal sample to an outside specialist for more extensive evaluation. Results normally take up to 24 hours, so we typically reserve outside lab testing for less urgent situations. Our in-house tests can take as little as 20 minutes, which allows us to diagnose problems more quickly and begin developing a treatment plan for your pet.
Give us a call at any of our three locations to schedule an imaging or diagnostic exam for your animal companion. We’ll be glad to get to the bottom of what’s ailing your pet so we can provide treatment as soon as possible.