In House Laboratory
Pet diagnostics and lab work play an important part in pre-operative workup prior to anesthesia, as well as understanding and treating your pets when they are ill. It also provides valuable information on healthy animals to promote the early detection of disease. McLean Animal Hospital is able to offer many of these tests in our in-house laboratory.
Pet diagnostics include complete blood counts, chemistry analysis of the liver and kidneys, electrolyte levels, thyroid levels, and much more. Specific tests are submitted to a local veterinary laboratory, which also reads our cytology, histopathology, and additional testing when needed.
Digital X-Rays
Digital X-rays allow our veterinarians to see immediate and detailed images of internal organs, tissue, and bone beneath your pet’s skin.
Your McLean Animal Hospital veterinarian may request X-rays to:
- Diagnose broken bones and muscle disorders
- View size, shape, and placement of organs
- Examine tumors and other areas of interest
- Diagnose foreign bodies
- Evaluate cardiac health
- Evaluate dental disease
- Evaluate spinal health
Ultrasound
This non-invasive, state-of-the-art technology uses sound waves to painlessly examine specific internal organs, primarily the heart and abdominal organs. A transducer device emits very high-frequency sound waves into the animal’s body and measures when the waves bounce back. A computer interprets the pattern of sound reflection and creates either a still picture or a moving image on a monitor. The advantages of this procedure are that it is painless and requires no chemicals, radiation, or entry into the body. It is safe to use on delicate areas and developing fetuses, making it an especially useful technology for safe pregnancy exams.