Understanding Veterinary Diagnostics: Essential Tools for Your Pet’s Health

As a loving pet owner, you want the best for your furry family member. At Community Pet Outreach in Lewisville, Texas, we believe that proactive veterinary diagnostics play a crucial role in maintaining your pet’s well-being. Veterinary diagnostics refer to a range of tests and imaging techniques used to assess your pet’s health, identify potential issues early, and guide effective treatment plans.

What Your Pet Can’t Tell You

Pets can’t always tell us when something’s wrong—they often hide signs of illness until problems become serious. Regular diagnostic testing allows us to catch diseases in their early stages, when they’re easier and less expensive to treat.

From routine checkups to investigating symptoms like lethargy or weight loss, diagnostics provide valuable insights into your pet’s internal health. Plus, with our state-of-the-art in-house lab equipment, we can deliver same-day or next-day results for the vast majority of tests, giving you peace of mind without unnecessary delays.

Whether you’re bringing in a puppy for their first wellness exam or monitoring an aging cat, understanding these options can help you make informed decisions about your pet’s care.

Comprehensive Blood Work: A Window into Your Pet’s Overall Health

Comprehensive blood work usually includes a Complete Blood Count (CBC) and a chemistry panel. These tests serves as foundational diagnostics in veterinary medicine. This simple blood draw analyzes red and white blood cells, platelets, and various organ functions, such as the liver and kidneys.

It helps detect conditions such as anemia, infections, diabetes, or organ dysfunction before symptoms appear. For example, elevated liver enzymes might indicate a need for further investigation into diet or medication adjustments. Our advanced in-house lab processes blood work quickly, often providing results the same day so we can discuss next steps during your visit.

X-Rays: Visualizing Bones, Organs, and Beyond

X-rays (radiographs) use low-dose radiation to create detailed images of your pet’s internal structures, including bones, joints, lungs, heart, and abdomen.

They’re essential for diagnosing fractures, identifying foreign objects in the digestive tract, detecting arthritis, or spotting tumors and heart enlargement. Our digital X-ray system produces high-resolution images with minimal exposure, allowing us to review and interpret them immediately during your appointment for fast, accurate diagnoses.

Ultrasound: Imaging for Soft Tissues & Organs

Ultrasound uses sound waves to generate real-time images of soft tissues, such as the abdomen, heart, or reproductive organs. It’s non-invasive, painless, and radiation-free—perfect for pregnant pets or those needing detailed internal views.

This tool excels at identifying tumors, cysts, fluid buildup, or organ abnormalities in areas like the liver, kidneys, spleen, or bladder. With our state-of-the-art ultrasound equipment, we perform scans in-house and provide results the same or next day to guide timely care.

Echocardiogram: Specialized Heart Imaging for Cardiac Health

An echocardiogram is an advanced ultrasound specifically focused on the heart. It assesses structure, function, blood flow, and valve performance using Doppler technology.

This diagnostic is vital for evaluating heart murmurs, congenital defects, or conditions like cardiomyopathy, especially in breeds prone to cardiac disease. Our team partners with an outside specialist to perform echocardiograms on-site with cutting-edge equipment, delivering detailed insights to support effective heart health management.

Urinary Screening: Uncovering Urinary Tract and Renal Issues

Urinary screening analyzes a urine sample for infections, crystals, blood, or irregularities in concentration and pH.

It’s crucial for detecting urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney disease, diabetes, or bladder stones—common issues, particularly in cats. Our in-house lab ensures rapid processing, with results typically available the same day so treatment can begin promptly.

Heartworm Testing: Protecting Against a Silent Threat

Heartworm testing is a simple blood test that detects antigens from heartworm parasites spread by mosquitoes, which can cause severe damage to the lungs and heart if untreated.

Annual testing is recommended for dogs (and select cats in high-risk areas) to enable early prevention or treatment. Our efficient in-house testing delivers results often on the spot, helping keep your pet protected year-round.

Parasite Screening: Safeguarding Against Internal Invaders

Parasite screening usually involves fecal exams to identify intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, or giardia that can impact digestion and overall health.

This routine test is especially important for outdoor pets or multi-pet homes, as parasites can spread easily and even affect humans. Our advanced lab provides same-day or next-day results, allowing quick recommendations for deworming or prevention.

Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test: Innovative Screening for Early Cancer Detection

We’re excited to offer the Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test, a cutting-edge blood-based screening tool for early cancer detection in dogs. This affordable test measures circulating nucleosomes—markers released during cancer development—and effectively flags common cancers like lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma.

Ideal for dogs 7 years and older (or 4+ in high-risk breeds), it can be added to routine exams as a proactive alert (not a definitive diagnosis). We collect the sample in-house and send it to a trusted reference lab; results typically return within a few days to one week, and we’ll contact you right away to discuss findings and next steps.

Allergy Testing: Identifying Triggers Through Blood Analysis

For pets with chronic itching, ear infections, or skin problems, allergies are often the underlying cause. We offer serum (blood-based) allergy testing to identify environmental triggers like pollen, dust mites, molds, or fleas.

This blood test measures specific antibodies to guide personalized plans, including avoidance and medications. After ruling out other issues, we draw the sample during your visit and send it to a specialized reference lab. Results generally arrive in 1–3 weeks, followed by a detailed review to create an effective relief strategy that gets closer to the root of your pet’s allergy issues.

Ready to Schedule Your Pet’s Diagnostic Evaluation?

At Community Pet Outreach, we’re committed to providing comprehensive, advanced diagnostics—from in-house imaging and lab work to specialized testing—to keep your pet thriving. Early diagnostics truly make all the difference—let’s partner to give your companion a long, happy life!

To schedule, please use our online booking portal, or give us a call at 972-353-9672 and a member of our team will be happy to assist you!

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