Sometimes we need to perform more advanced imaging to evaluate your pet’s organs. To do so, we work with a boarded veterinary radiologist who travels to our clinic to perform ultrasounds. We can schedule an appointment within 1 to 2 weeks and he will provide a detailed report of findings, which our veterinarian will then go over with you. At that time, we can make a plan together for your pet.
If we need to assess your pet’s heart function, the best way we can do so is with a cardiac ultrasound. Purdue Veterinary Hospital’s cardiology service travels to the Indianapolis area weekly to provide this specialty service and an appointment can typically be made with them at our clinic within 2 weeks. They will perform any necessary testing, including cardiac ultrasound (echocardiogram), electrocardiogram (EKG), blood pressure measurement, and chest x-ray/bloodwork review. They will then provide a full report of findings along with a treatment plan. From there, our veterinarian will monitor your pet.
Does your pet have a lump or bump that you’ve noticed? Our veterinarian can take a needle and syringe, poke that bump, and draw out some cells to look at under the microscope to identify what that lump is made of. If our vet needs confirmation, we can submit the slides that we made to a pathologist for identification. Once we have identified what that bump is, we can make a surgical treatment or monitoring plan for you and your pet.
We are able to perform some bloodwork, urinalyses, ear cytologies, skin scrapes, and fecal assessments in-house, but we utilize a reference lab for the majority of the diagnostic, non-urgent labwork that we do for your pets. The most commonly performed testing has results within 24-48 business hours. Our veterinarian will email, text, or call you to discuss results once they are received.
When we need to figure out what’s wrong with your pet, we routinely use x-rays to help identify the cause of the problem, rule out possible problems, or provide a list of possible causes. We may also use x-rays during a wellness exam to diagnose potential problems before they become serious.
X-rays provide valuable information about a pet’s bones, gastrointestinal tract (stomach, intestines, colon), respiratory tract (lungs), heart, and genitourinary system (bladder, prostate). We use radiology alone or in conjunction with other diagnostic tools. Interpretation of radiographs requires great skill on the part of the veterinarian.
We are proud to offer digital radiology (x-rays that are captured digitally rather than on film). This state-of-the-art technology allows us to provide you with a quicker diagnosis for your pet. Plus, it uses less radiation than traditional x-rays.
To avoid a blurry image, pets need to remain completely still while an x-ray is taken. In some cases, we may need to sedate your pet or use short-acting general anesthesia.
If you have any questions about our radiology service or what to expect during your pet’s procedure, please don’t hesitate to ask.
It is crucial for your pet’s vision that we detect and treat glaucoma and other problems with intraocular pressure (pressure within the eye) as quickly as possible. We can test your dog or cat’s eyes for excess pressure easily and safely. The test, performed with a device called a tonometer, is not painful and does not require sedation.
If not treated immediately (within hours to days), glaucoma can cause permanent vision loss or even blindness. Pets that have suffered eye injuries should have this test performed. In addition, we recommend that breeds that are prone to developing glaucoma come in for regular measurements so we can monitor eye pressure and begin treatment before any problem becomes irreversible. Please call us to discuss whether your pet may be at higher risk for glaucoma.
Call us right away if you notice any of the following problems in either or both of your pet’s eyes: dilated (enlarged) pupils, clouding of the cornea (the normally clear outer layer of the eye), red or bloodshot eyes, one eye protruding or appearing larger than the other, squinting, or tearing. Because glaucoma is painful, your pet may react by rubbing or pawing at the eyes or rubbing his or her head against the floor or furniture more than normal.
To ensure a proper diagnosis, we often need to examine your pet. We begin a medical assessment by looking at your pet’s eyes, ears, and skin and checking his or her cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, and skeletal systems for any abnormalities. We will perform blood and/or urine tests as necessary to check your pet’s kidneys, liver, pancreas, and endocrine system, including the thyroid and adrenal glands. Based on your pet’s condition, we may recommend further diagnostic tests, such as radiography (x-rays), endoscopy (internal scoping), ultrasound, or biopsy.
If you’re concerned that something may be wrong with your pet, please call us to schedule a medical assessment. Depending on the symptoms, we may ask you to bring in your pet right away.
To optimize our efficiency and reduce client waiting times, we prefer to operate primarily by appointments. Drop-off appointments may be requested by the pet owner to maximize his/her time or suggested by our staff if all appointments are filled for the day and the pet owner is wanting his animal evaluated or treated the same day.
