There are a number of diagnostic tests that can be used to pinpoint the cause of your pet's symptoms. Today our Stuart vets explain some of the diagnostic tests available to help us determine the underlying causes of various health concerns in pets.

Types of Veterinary Diagnostic Testing for Pets

Diagnostic tests are crucial for human medical diagnosis and treatment, but they can be even more important for correctly identifying our pet's symptoms. This is so that we can understand how our pets are feeling, where they are in pain or discomfort, and what kind of pain they are feeling. Diagnostic tests can assist your veterinarian in quickly identifying the source of your pet's symptoms so that treatment can begin right away.

Below are some of the types of diagnostic testing for pets that veterinarians use when caring for the health of our pets.

Blood Tests

One of the most popular diagnostic procedures for pets is a blood test. They are employed to assess a range of medical conditions, such as organ function, electrolyte balances, blood cell counts, and others. When you are worried about symptoms your dog or cat is displaying, you can request blood tests as part of your pet's annual checkup. Older pets, who are more prone to certain illnesses and medical conditions, should have annual blood tests. With just a small sample of blood, these tests can be completed quickly.

Urinalysis

Another typical diagnostic procedure for dogs and cats is urine testing. Urinalysis is used to assess urinary tract infections, kidney health, and other urinary system-related conditions. You only need a small amount of urine to perform urine tests quickly. Most of the time, pet parents can collect urine for these tests, but occasionally a veterinarian will need to use a needle to extract urine directly from the bladder.

Fecal Testing

When intestinal parasites are present in dogs and cats, fecal tests enable veterinarians to identify them before any symptoms manifest. For these tests, all that is required is that you bring a fresh sample of your pet's feces to your veterinarian's office for examination.

Heartworm Tests

Heartworm in pets is a very serious, frequently fatal condition. Numerous veterinarians strongly advise routine heartworm testing for canines and felines every year. The most common method of detecting the presence of adult female heartworm antigens in the blood is heartworm testing.

X-rays

X-rays are a useful diagnostic tool for a range of medical conditions, such as bone fractures, joint issues, and respiratory problems. They are non-invasive and quick to complete, though sedation may be necessary for pets to keep them still during the procedure. X-rays are particularly helpful for assessing the health of older animals or animals with ongoing medical conditions.

Ultrasound

Utilizing sound waves to create real-time images of internal organ function, veterinary ultrasound is a non-invasive diagnostic procedure. Examining the condition of the heart, liver, and kidneys is a common use for this technology. Ultrasound is frequently advised for animals suspected of having heart or liver disease, as well as for animals pregnant to check on the wellbeing of growing fetuses.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

A diagnostic procedure used to assess the electrical activity of the heart is an electrocardiogram (ECG). For animals with heart disease or those at risk for heart disease, it is frequently advised. The non-invasive test entails placing electrodes on the pet's chest to track the electrical activity of the heart.