Here at TotalBond Veterinary Hospital at Paw Creek, our in-house laboratory allows us to test samples and get your results back as soon as possible. The in-house laboratory is an added benefit for our clients and patients as it completely expedites the medical process so that we can diagnose faster, inform sooner, and treat patients in a timely manner.
Laboratory examinations go deeper than the physical exams and provide us with more data on bodily processes such as organ health, urinary function, and blood chemistry levels.
Below are examples of just some of the tests we can offer with our in-house laboratory:
If you have any further questions about our In-House Laboratory, or if you would like the schedule an appointment, just give us a call.
With our digital radiography technology (also known as X-Ray), the medical staff here at TotalBond Veterinary Hospital at Paw Creek has the ability to get a glimpse inside your pet’s body in a safe, non-invasive manner.
Digital Radiology goes a step further than a regular diagnosis, as we are able to see high-definition images of your pet’s internal structures. This allows us to confirm a suspected diagnosis or make a new one. The images consist of detailed outlines of your pet’s organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys, as well as bones and orthopedic structures.
The X-Ray machine emits a very small amount of radiation to take the images, but it is completely safe for pets of all ages and health statuses. The procedure itself is very quick and can be completed at the time of other services.
Oftentimes a pet may need to be placed on its side so the images can be taken. We do our best to accommodate your pet and ensure that they are as comfortable as possible. However, in the event that your pet is under an extreme amount of stress, sedation can be provided on an as-needed basis
Ultrasound Imaging Technology works by sending soundwaves through a pet’s body and then relaying the signals to a monitor that shows real-time images of your pet’s internal organs. These images give us greater insight into the structure and function of your pet’s body as well as a better idea of their overall health.
Here at TotalBond Veterinary Hospital at Paw Creek, the ultrasound machine is a staple in the diagnostic process. If your pet is having signs such as vomiting or diarrhea, or if something feels abnormal in your pet's abdomen, a doctor may recommend using the ultrasound to take a closer look. The ultrasound also serves as an excellent tool for pregnant pets by allowing us to carefully monitor fetal development.
When performing an abdominal ultrasound, the team will need to place your pet on his or her back. Don’t worry, you pet will lay in a comfortable padded trough. For a thoracic ultrasound, pets are often placed on their side. The ultrasound scan itself involves slight pressure with the sensor in order to acquire a good Image. Most pets are very comfortable with this procedure, and it can be performed quickly and efficiently. Mild sedation may be recommended in the event that a more thorough scan Is needed, or if a pet is very anxious about the ultrasound process.
We want our diagnoses to be accurate and based on hard information. The Ultrasound, combined with a digital X-Ray, gives us a comprehensive understanding of your pet’s overall health condition. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Ultrasound or need to make an appointment, please feel free to give us a call.
It’s certainly clear that allergies and dermatological problems bother pets on both physical and mental levels. Dermatitis describes any condition that leads to inflammation in the skin, and a multitude of other factors, such as external irritants, internal disease, allergens, and infections. Additionally, there are some pets that are born with a genetic predisposition toward specific skin conditions and allergens.
If untreated, one itch can lead to mental and physical distress. Our trained clinical team at TotalBond Veterinary Hospital at Paw Creek can assist your pet in regaining his or her well-being and health.
Unfortunately, allergens are inevitable to both humans and pets. Allergens are in the food we eat, the air around us, and the everyday environment that we live in. The most ubiquitous allergens include grass, weeds, proteins, pollen, flowers, cologne and perfumes, and household cleaning chemicals.
If you see any of the symptoms below in your pet, we urge you to schedule an appointment with a Paw Creek veterinarian. We want to help your pet.
If you have seen any of the aforementioned symptoms in your pet, please schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible. We’ll first perform a physical examination of your pet’s coat, skin, and nails. Then, we will have a discussion with you about changes that you have observed with your pet at home.
After that discussion, we may recommend secondary diagnostic tests for your pet based off of the results of the examination. This may mean skin scrapings, allergy tests, and blood samplings. The majority of these tests can be performed in our in-house laboratory, expediting the delivery of the results to you. Note that although we do basic veterinary dermatology, we are not veterinary dermatology specialists. Advanced cases are referred to a local veterinary dermatologist who we have worked with closely in the past.
After the examinations and tests, next comes treatment plans, which are often multi-faceted. That is, treatment may include topical creams, dietary alterations, oral medications, injections, and more. Our team at will work closely with you to determine the most effective and specialized method for your pet’s wellbeing.
Echocardiography is the practice of using advanced ultrasound technology to view the heart in real-time. An echocardiogram is a non-invasive tool that allows our doctors to image the heart and surrounding structures, allowing accurate diagnosing of a range of cardiac diseases. Echocardiograms are often recommended for pets who have had a heart murmur diagnosed on physical exam, or for those who have changes to the size/shape of the heart on chest x-rays.
Heart disease can progress into heart failure, which Is life threatening. Signs of heart disease in pets include fatigue, decreased activity, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, or abdominal pain. While the echocardiogram is the most effective way to diagnose heart disease, we may recommend additional diagnostics prior to or during the echocardiogram depending on your pet's specific situation.
For an echocardiogram procedure, we’ll have you drop off your pet about 1 hour before the scheduled time. Since the patient needs to lay on its side and hold still for 15 minutes, we typically give the pet a mild sedative to achieve quality and clear images. The patient is then allowed about an hour of recovery time, and you will be able to pick up your pet at your convenience.
For any further questions regarding the echocardiogram or heart disease, please feel free to give us at TotalBond Veterinary Hospital at Paw Creek a call!
Phone: 704-827-7422
