Fear Free Diagnostic Procedures
We are proud to be a Fear Free practicing veterinary clinic. This means we will provide pre-visit pharmaceuticals (as needed) like Gabapentin or Trazadone to ease the stress and pain prior to performing any diagnostic procedures.
Veterinary X-Ray
Veterinary X-rays, also known as radiographs, are a type of imaging technique that allows our veterinarians to view the inside of an animal’s body. They work by passing a small amount of radiation through the body to capture images of internal structures such as bones, organs, and other tissues. This non-invasive method is crucial for diagnosing a range of conditions from fractures to organ diseases.
X-rays are versatile and can be used in various aspects of veterinary medicine:
- Diagnosis of bone fractures and joint disorders: X-rays provide clear images of bones and joints, helping to identify fractures, dislocations, and developmental bone diseases.
- Evaluating organ function: X-rays can help assess the size, shape, and position of organs, assisting in diagnosing conditions like heart enlargement or liver disease.
- Dental examination: Veterinary dental X-rays are essential in examining the health of an animal’s teeth and roots beneath the gum line, which are not visible during a routine dental checkup.
- Pre-surgical planning: X-rays can be used to plan surgical procedures by providing detailed images of the area to be operated on.
- Cancer detection: They are also valuable in detecting and monitoring the progress of certain cancers.
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
At Tequesta Veterinary Clinic, we send much of our lab work out to Antech Diagnostics or Idexx Laboratories and typically receive most results within 24 hours. We also send wellness lab work to the reference labs to save our clients money. However, when we have a sick patient or need lab results right away (such as for a UTI) we have the same full suite of Idexx lab equipment that the local emergency/specialty hospitals have.
Our In-House Veterinary Lab
Our in-house veterinary lab allows for immediate processing of various diagnostic tests. This convenience means quicker results, enabling our veterinarians to make informed decisions and begin treatment without delay.
Why Quicker Results Matter
Immediate test results can be crucial, especially in emergency situations where a pet’s health is at stake. Early detection of diseases through lab diagnostics can significantly improve the prognosis by starting treatment early.
Parasite Testing for Pets
Parasite testing is a fundamental aspect of preventative veterinary care. It involves checking for the presence of internal and external parasites such as fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal worms which can cause serious health issues in pets.
Importance of Regular Parasite Checks
Regular parasite checks ensure that infestations are caught early on. This not only safeguards your pet’s health but also helps in preventing the spread of parasites to other animals and, in some cases, humans.
Types of Parasite Testing
- Fecal exams are a standard method for testing pets for parasites. By analyzing a small fecal sample under a microscope, our veterinarians can detect parasites. This test is often advised for pets showing symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, or weight loss. * While we can run fecal tests in-house, we typically send them out and get results within 24 hours for complete fecal including ova and cysts, giardia antigen and hookworm, roundworm, and whipworm antigen.
- Blood tests are used to detect parasites like heartworms or tick-borne diseases. Recommended for asymptomatic pets with potential parasite exposure, these tests provide crucial insights into your pet’s health.
- Skin scrapes are essential for detecting external parasites like mites or fleas in pets. By collecting a small sample of your pet’s skin and examining it under a microscope, our veterinarians can identify parasites. This test is commonly advised for pets showing symptoms such as skin irritation or hair loss.
Heartworm Testing
Heartworms are transmitted through mosquito bites and can cause severe heart and lung disease in both dogs and cats. Heartworm testing is a critical part of any wellness check-up to ensure pets are not infected and to maintain them on preventive medications.
The Necessity of Yearly Testing
Even if dogs and cats are on heartworm preventive medication, yearly testing is recommended to confirm that the prevention program is working, as heartworm disease can be fatal if left untreated.
How is Heartworm Testing Done?
Heartworm testing involves a simple blood test. The test checks for the presence of heartworm proteins, also known as antigens, which are released by adult female heartworms into the bloodstream.
The Process
- Blood collection: A small blood sample is taken from your pet.
- Antigen Test: The most common test is an antigen test that can usually detect infections about 5 to 7 months after exposure to heartworms.
- Microfilariae Test: If the antigen test is positive, another test may be performed to look for microfilariae, which are baby heartworms, in the bloodstream.
FIV and FeLV Testing
The first year of care for your new puppy or kitten is the most important. Like human infants, puppies and kittens require special attention to grow and develop well.
At Tequesta Veterinary Clinic, your veterinarian will partner with you to create a custom health plan so your new companion receives the care required to get the best start in life.
The Benefit of Early Detection
Early detection of FIV and FeLV can help manage the health of a cat through lifestyle adjustments and preventive health care, thereby improving their quality of life.
How is FIV/FeLV Testing Done?
FIV/FeLV testing is done with a small blood sample, often using a test that can detect both FIV antibodies and FeLV antigens at the same time.
The Process
- Blood collection: A small sample of your cat’s blood is collected.
- ELISA Test: The most common initial screening test is the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test, which can be performed in our office and provides quick results.
- Confirmatory tests: If the initial ELISA test is positive, additional confirmatory tests, such as an Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) or Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), may be recommended.
When Should Cats Be Tested for FIV/FeLV?
Cats should be tested for FIV/FeLV under the following circumstances:
- Upon adoption, regardless of age, if not already tested.
- If they have been exposed to a cat with an unknown FIV/FeLV status or a known positive status.
- If they are sick, even if they have tested negative in the past, their status could have changed.
Urinalysis Testing
Urinalysis testing is a lab diagnostic that examines a pet’s urine. It can uncover conditions such as urinary tract infections, kidney disease, and diabetes.
How Urinalysis Contributes to Overall Health
Urinalysis testing is a lab diagnostic that examines a pet’s urine. It can uncover conditions such as urinary tract infections, kidney disease, and diabetes.
To perform a urinalysis, our veterinarian will need a fresh urine sample from your pet. There are several ways to collect urine, including:
- Free-catch method: Collecting urine in a clean container while the pet is urinating.
- Bladder expression: Our veterinarian will gently press on the pet’s bladder to release urine.
- Cystocentesis: Our veterinarian uses a needle to collect urine directly from the bladder.
Veterinary Ultrasound
Don’t be fooled by the “cottage appearance” of our animal hospital!! Dr. Joi Sutton has a weakness for technology and doesn’t suffer from outdated equipment. We have top-end digital X-ray and digital dental X-ray machines. We have the same fancy model Phillips PureWave ultrasound unit that 2 of the cardiologists in town use.
Our veterinary diagnostics include ultrasound, X-ray, and diagnostics laboratory. Our Tequesta veterinarians utilize the best of today’s technology to provide fast diagnosis and treatment to our patients. Whether your pet needs an abdominal ultrasound, thoracic radiographs that can be emailed to your veterinarian in another state, full mouth digital radiographs before dental extractions, or results of a chemistry panel in minutes, we can do it all!
Internal Imaging Reveals Hidden Health Issues
An ultrasound works by broadcasting high-frequency sound waves that reflect off your pet’s internal structures. A small probe held against the skin collects the returning signals to create an image of the internal body, most commonly used to examine abdominal organs like the stomach, kidneys, liver, spleen, and gallbladder. An echocardiogram, or ultrasound of the heart, provides precise information about heart valves, blood flow, chamber size, and contractions. This tool is essential when assessing overall heart health and treating cardiovascular disease. Because an ultrasound doesn’t require radiation, it is also used to monitor pregnancies and fetal health in breeding pets.
When used in conjunction with other diagnostics tools like radiographs (x-rays), ultrasonography can detect a broad range of abnormalities including cardiovascular disease, skeletal fractures, some forms of cancer, soft tissue damage, foreign bodies, and organ disease. Completely painless and non-invasive, ultrasounds rank among the most precise diagnostic tools in the veterinary industry.
Benefits of an Ultrasound
- Ultrasound provides a much more detailed way to look at fluid-filled and soft tissue organs in the body.
- Ultrasound is very important in accurately diagnosing heart problems (echocardiogram), assessing lymph nodes, internal organs, adrenal glands, bladder, prostate, and intestines.
- With ultrasound, we can see inside these organs, perform ultrasound-guided aspirates and biopsies, often avoiding invasive exploratory surgery. Knowing how to interpret ultrasound findings is critical.
