Clinical Pathology
Clinical pathology involves the laboratory evaluation of blood, bodily fluids or tissue in order to identify existing disease, monitor treatment protocols or disease progression & to check organs that cannot be checked on a general physical examination. Common laboratory tests include blood chemistries, complete blood counts, blood clotting times, urinalysis, faecal tests & biopsy examination.
Mildura Veterinary Hospital is equipped with an in-house laboratory that allows our veterinarians to quickly perform some of these diagnostic tests to achieve an accurate and rapid diagnosis. This is especially important in very ill animals and those requiring immediate or emergency treatment. Our in-house laboratory can provide results within approximately 15 minutes.
Some more specialised tests may need to be performed by an external veterinary laboratory. Specialised testing may take 24-48 hours for blood results or up to 14 days for biopsy results, depending on the nature of the test being performed.
Laboratory Testing
Some of the conditions that may be diagnosed with in house testing are kidney and liver disease, pancreatitis, diabetes, hormonal problems, infections, parasitism and anaemia.
In house laboratory facilities also means that we can provide valuable information about your pet’s anaesthetic safety. If you want to do what is best for your pet, but are worried about whether or not they will make it through an anaesthetic, we can give you peace of mind. A simple in house blood test on the morning of the surgery allows us to check, among other things, your pet’s liver and kidney function. These two main organs are involved in breaking down and excreting anaesthetic drugs. Click here for more information on pre anaesthetic blood tests.
A screening blood test is important as an ongoing preventative strategy in our senior patients as part of a senior pet wellness program. According to a recent study by U.S based Antech Laboratories, a simple screening blood test reveals abnormalities in approximately 1 in 4 senior dogs and 1 in 5 senior cats which otherwise appear normal on physical exam alone. Many of the diseases that older pets are susceptible to are either 100% preventable or are easily managed if detected early enough, which make wellness blood tests important in senior pets.