Diagnostics

Diagnostics

Early detection is key when it comes to treating your pet, and Shamrock Animal Hospital offers complete in-house diagnostics including the latest equipment and an on-site laboratory. This saves time, money, and most importantly, you don’t have to wait overnight for results—meaning your pet gets a diagnosis and needed treatment sooner.

In-House Laboratory

Shamrock Animal Hospital can perform various blood screens, pre-anesthetic bloodwork, urinalysis and other types of testing on site instead of sending samples to an outside lab. While we do offer an extensive range of on-site testing, it is possible that your pet may need laboratory work beyond our scope. For those cases, we are happy to send blood work or other testing to an outside lab that will send results back to us.

Digital Radiography (X-rays)

Shamrock Animal Hospital uses advanced imaging technologies guaranteeing the highest quality of care for our patients.

Radiographs, or X-rays, use electromagnetic radiation directed towards the body to highlight objects within. They can detect abnormalities including skeletal fractures, soft tissue damage, foreign bodies and dental disease. Digital X-rays also use less radiation, decrease exposure and provide more detailed images.

Orthopedic radiographs and contrast studies require the patient remain completely still to work correctly, necessitating sedation in most cases. Some specialized procedures may require anesthesia. The duration of sedation or anesthesia is usually short and patient recovery is swift.

Ultrasound

Shamrock Animal Hospital offers diagnostic ultrasound examinations as a non-invasive way to evaluate the inner workings of your pet.

Ultrasonography uses sound waves to generate pictures of organs, tissues, and other interior systems in your pet’s body. Soft tissue issues, such as those involving the gastrointestinal, heart, and nervous systems, are usually identified with ultrasound, as it essentially shows the vet three-dimensional images of these areas. The images produced can provide valuable information for diagnosing and directing treatment of various diseases such as abnormal tissue growth (like lumps or masses) and certain forms of cancer that cannot be identified during a physical examination.

Ultrasounds are normally painless and so anesthesia is not necessary while the scan is being performed. Occasionally if the pet is very frightened or anxious, a sedative may be necessary, but this is rare.

If you have questions about diagnostics for your pet, please contact us at (651) 423-3565.