Diagnostics
Since our pets can’t talk to us and tell us when something is wrong, lab and diagnostic testing are our keys to better understanding their overall health. Here at Sandwich Animal Hospital, our highly skilled team uses a combination of in-house lab testing and diagnostic imaging to narrow down what’s going on and guide next steps, minimizing expensive and time-consuming guesswork.
Advanced Diagnostics for Better Care
Once we have results, our team will walk you through our findings, what they mean, and what we recommend for treatment.
In-House Laboratory
Whether we’re trying to diagnose an ear infection or a complex illness, our advanced in-house laboratory means we can run many tests on the same day, get answers quickly, and start any necessary treatment before a condition worsens.
Our in-house testing can include:
- Bloodwork (CBC/Chemistry): evaluates red/white blood cells, organ function, hydration, blood sugar, and more
- Urinalysis: checks kidney function, infection indicators, crystals, and bladder health
- Fecal testing: screens for intestinal parasites and other GI concerns
- Ear cytology: helps identify bacteria, yeast, and inflammation inside the ear canal
- Skin cytology: evaluates infections, yeast, inflammation, and some parasites on the skin surface
Pet X-Rays
X-rays are a fast, non-invasive way for us to get a look at your dog or cat’s bones, lungs, GI tract, heart, and more. They can help our veterinary team diagnose many different conditions, such as bone breaks, foreign object ingestion, and more in just a few hours.
X-rays can help us evaluate:
- Bones & joints: fractures, arthritis changes, hip issues, spinal concerns
- Chest/lungs: pneumonia, asthma patterns, heart size, fluid buildup
- GI tract: gas patterns, constipation, obstruction, swallowed objects
- Abdominal area: organ size and positioning (often as a first step before ultrasound)
Abdominal Ultrasound
If we need to get a closer look at your dog or cat’s internal organs for a diagnosis, we may recommend an abdominal ultrasound. This imaging tool provides a detailed view of soft tissue and is especially useful for diagnosing liver, kidney, and intestinal tract illnesses, urinary tract infections, and more. Abdominal ultrasounds are available by appointment only.
An ultrasound can show us:
- Soft tissue detail: Organ texture, inflammation, thickening, fluid, masses
- Bladder and urinary tract: Stones, inflammation, abnormal changes
- GI tract: Intestinal wall changes, motility clues, foreign material
- Guided sampling (if needed): In some cases, ultrasound can help guide safe sample collection for further testing
Book Veterinary Diagnostics Today
If your pet isn’t acting like themselves, the diagnostic tools our professional team at Sandwich Animal Hospital has at our fingertips can help you get answers quickly and get your pet back to feeling better sooner. Ready to book an appointment? Just click below.