Your vet can explain a lot about your pet’s health from a physical examination; however, there are some things that veterinarians can only identify through diagnostic testing. For that reason, veterinarians may suggest diagnostic examinations for healthy and sick pets.
Diagnostic procedures can speed up identifying the cause of health problems in pets. Therefore, your pet can get treatment and restore health in less time. Here are the typical diagnostic tests and why you must get them done routinely to guarantee your pet’s optimal health.
The Most Popular Pet Diagnostic Exams
Diagnostic testing is used to examine your pet’s internal organs and systems to identify ailments early or verify diagnoses that have been suspected based on your pet’s signs. Discover why keeping your pet healthy is important and what diagnostic tests are commonly recommended.
Urinalysis
When you come in for an appointment, you may be asked to bring a sample of your pet’s urine. This is because, like blood, urine can provide significant information concerning your pet’s health and urinary health. This includes their bladder and kidney function and condition. If your pet needs surgical treatment, pet surgeons in Stockton, CA, may carry it out.
Blood Testing
Your pet’s blood can uncover important information regarding their health and condition. Some diseases and conditions will reveal signs when the animal is very ill. Nevertheless, their blood may reveal illness much sooner. Numerous blood tests will be done, including a complete blood count, blood chemistry profile, and platelet count.
Fecal Testing
The majority of owners are recommended to have their pets’ feces examined two times a year. The primary objective is to look for intestinal parasites like hookworms, tapeworms, and roundworms. They are parasites that stay in your pet’s digestive system and lead to illness and discomfort. When a sample is checked under a microscope, small pieces of the worms or their eggs can be seen, making them fairly simple to recognize.
Blood Pressure Measurement
Blood pressure should be measured in dogs and cats with medical signs or clinicopathologic changes associated with the above organ systems, like acute blindness, kidney failure, and seizures, in animals with systemic illness, including sepsis, which can cause hypotension.
Skin and Ear Testing
One of the most popular types of vet patient problems is related to the skin or ears. Many are related to food or environmental allergies, but numerous other reasons exist. The veterinary diagnostic laboratory will take a swab or light scrape of the affected area, and then looking at it under a microscopic lens can help your vet identify the issue faster and the best treatment.
Heartworm Testing
Heartworms are another type of internal parasite, but unlike other types, vets can not discover them through a fecal test. This is because they reside in the blood vessels of the heart and lungs rather than the digestive system.
Heartworms, transmitted by the bite of infected insects, can be fatal. Even if your pet is on heartworm medication, regular testing or dog and cat vaccinations are advised. Your pet has a better chance of recovering from heartworms if you catch the issue as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Regular preventative testing can help you monitor your pet and detect illness and underlying issues early. When you bring your pet in for an examination, your vet may recommend particular examinations or treatments to detect or deal with any ailment and guarantee your pet’s health. Prevention is crucial for your pet’s long-term health.
