Diagnostic Technology
At Admirals Walk Pet Clinic, we have a diagnostic lab as well as a pharmacy which allows us the ability to provide a variety of services.
The technology and tools we use help us to pinpoint the precise cause of your pet's symptoms so that we are able to provide a diagnosis of your dog or cat's condition quickly.
Using our diagnostic lab our team can perform urinalysis and cytology on-site to help diagnose your dog or cat and get treatment underway. We are also able to refer out for all other diagnostic tests and imaging that your pet may need.
We expect to resume full-service operations in late 2023.
Veterinary Pharmacy at Admirals Walk Pet Clinic
We are able to provide pet parents with the medications their furry companions need to restore and maintain good health. Once your dog or cat's condition has been diagnosed, your veterinarian will be able to prescribe and supply the medications needed to help resolve or manage your pet's condition.
Off-Site Imaging & Diagnostics
At this time we are unable to offer the full range of diagnostic services at our animal hospital, however, we are able to refer out to nearby facilities in Victoria that can help diagnose your pet.
- Radiography (Digital X-rays)
Radiography is safe, painless and non-invasive. It uses only very low doses of radiation. Because the level of radiation exposure required to perform radiography is very low, even pregnant females and very young pets can undergo this procedure.
Radiographs can be used to evaluate bones and organs and diagnose conditions including broken bones, chronic arthritis, bladder stones, spinal cord diseases and some tumours.
- Digital Dental X-Rays
If your cat or dog is suffering from periodontal disease, much of this damage occurs below the gum line where it can't be easily seen. Digital X-Rays allow your veterinarian to examine the roots, bones and internal anatomy of your cat or dog's teeth.
With digital X-Rays, the risk of radiation exposure for your pet is significantly lower than with traditional X-Ray technology. This allows your vet to see below the surface of your pet's gum line to fully evaluate each individual tooth.
- Ultrasound
With ultrasound imaging, your pet's body will be exposed to high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the inside of the body. This allows ultrasound images to be captured in real-time, so the structure and movement of your pet's internal organs can be seen, as well as blood flowing through the blood vessels.
- MRI
Using a powerful magnetic field, radio waves and a computer, we can produce detailed images of your pet's soft tissues, organs and other internal body structures with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology. The images may then be examined on a computer monitor or printed.
- CT Scan (Computed Tomography)
A CT scanner is a non-invasive advanced diagnostic scanner that allows our specialists to view your pet's internal anatomy by producing highly detailed, cross-sectional images.
CT scans are commonly used for diagnosing diseases, planning surgery and early detection and treatment of cancer.
- ECG / EKG
If your veterinarian performs a physical examination and suspects your pet may have a heart disorder, we usually take chest X-Rays and an electrocardiogram (ECG / EKG)
This procedure can be completed easily and quickly. It reveals data that may be integral to your pet's diagnosis. In other cases, a cardiac ultrasound may be required to identify disorders in the chambers of the heart.
- Endoscopy
An endoscope is comprised of a tiny camera and light attached to the end of a flexible tube.
An endoscopy is the insertion of a long, thin tube directly into the body so an internal organ or tissue can be observed in detail.
Endoscopes are minimally invasive and can be inserted into the openings of the body such as the mouth or anus.
- Bloodwork
There are a number of common and targeted blood tests that can help your vet determine the health of your pet and diagnose illness.
Some of the most common veterinary blood tests we do are CBC (complete blood count), white blood count, hemoglobin and MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration), hematocrit, platelets, eosinophils, and blood serum profile.
- Fecal Exams
Fecal exams are the microscopic examination of your pet's feces. Your vet will likely ask you to bring a fresh stool sample with you to your pet's appointment.
The ultimate goal of a fecal exam is to identify and treat any GI infections that could be compromising your pet's health and even the health of your family. Fecals allow your vet to determine if your pet has intestinal parasites such as roundworms or hookworms.
On-Site Diagnostic Services
While we currently refer out for many diagnostic services, we are able to perform certain diagnostic tests in-house such as:
- Urinalysis
Urinalysis is a key diagnostic test that provides your vet with essential insights into the physical and chemical properties of your pet's urine.
Urinalysis is primarily used to assess the health of your animal's kidneys and urinary tract system, but it can also be helpful in detecting issues in other organ systems and is important for diagnosing metabolic diseases such as diabetes.
- Cytology
Your veterinarian will collect a cell sample from your pet and examine it underneath a microscope. They implement this test to see if your furry companion has cancer.
It can also be implemented to evaluate the kidneys, liver, bodily fluids such as urine, and external surfaces of your pet's body including the eyes, mouth, and breathing passages.
In-House Pet Health Supplies
At Admirals Walk Pet Clinic we are committed to providing pet parents with the best diet and healthcare products to treat their pet's medical issues and maintain their good health.
Our animal hospital is well-stocked with prescription diets, parasite prevention products, medications and more. Allowing our team to provide you with the products your four-legged friend needs while in our care.
We strive to make caring for your four-legged family member as easy as possible. Speak to your Victoria veterinarian to find out which products could help improve the health of your pet.