In-house diagnostics
We have a range of equipment in practice to help us to speedily and accurately diagnose any issues your pet may be experiencing.
Modern technology gives us a fantastic opportunity to understand what is happening inside your pet’s body, and our vets have lots of experience of interpreting these results, and keeping your pet comfortable while they’re being obtained.
Our diagnostic equipment includes digital x-ray and ultrasound imaging devices, as well as endoscopy, rhinoscopy and an ECG monitor.
Ultrasound
Ultrasonography is an imaging technique which provides us with an image of the inside of the body using soundwaves.
Ultrasound scans are generally used to evaluate organs and other soft tissue, as opposed to harder objects such as bones.
While the process is harmless and not invasive, with a probe being applied to the outside of the pet’s body at the area in need of investigation, sedation may be required to keep the pet still and a patch of fur will need to be shaved at the site of the scan.
X-rays
Similar to ultrasound scanning, giving a pet an x-ray is a harmless procedure that may require sedation to keep the pet still because under health and safety regulation our teams cannot hold pets for radiographs unless it’s an emergency situation.
It involves using small amounts of radiation to produce images of the inside of the pet’s body, and can be helpful for diagnosing a wide range of conditions, including broken bones and joint and organ problems.
Endoscopy and rhinoscopy
Endoscopy involves a camera being passed down the throat on a long, flexible tube, and is used to visualise the inside of the oesophagus, stomach and proximal small intestine.
The rhinoscope is a thin, rigid instrument used to visualise the nose and throat.
ECG monitor
Electrocardiography is an important diagnostic and monitoring tool to assess cardiac rhythm and output. It can be used to diagnose some cardiac problems as well as monitoring patients during anaesthesia.
If our vets believe that your pet would benefit from any of our diagnostic imaging methods , they will inform you during a consultation and explain the procedure. If you have any questions, please let a member of the team know in practice or give us a ring.