Diagnostics

Early Detection. Accurate Answers. Better Outcomes.

Learn how our in-house lab, imaging, and diagnostic tools help us get to the root of your pet’s health concerns—fast.

Advanced Veterinary Diagnostics for Dogs and Cats

Diagnostic testing enables our Gentle Touch team to determine your pet’s health status and diagnose disease. Our state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and expertly trained veterinary professionals ensure fast, accurate results that allow us to provide top-tier care. From wellness screening tests to advanced imaging techniques, our diagnostic capabilities support a range of pet health needs.

Laboratory Services: In-House Speed, Reference Lab Precision

In-house laboratory

In-house laboratory testing is a convenient option that allows our team to diagnose many pet illnesses while you wait. Our laboratory capabilities include essential blood and urine testing, skin and ear cytology testing, and more. Bedside test results enable us to obtain critical health information in minutes, eliminating the time lag associated with sending out tests and allowing us to formulate and begin a treatment plan without delay.

Reference laboratory

We partner with top-tier reference laboratories for specialized and non-urgent tests. Reference labs provide comprehensive diagnostic services, including blood panels, histopathology, cultures, and more, to help us reach an accurate diagnosis. Tests sent to our reference lab complement our in-house laboratory by providing a more complete picture of your pet’s health. Common tests we send out to reference laboratories include:

  • Tumor biopsies
  • Fine needle aspirates of masses
  • Hormone testing
  • Fungal testing
  • Culture and sensitivity testing
  • Cancer screening
  • Routine wellness checks
  • PCR and infectious disease testing
  • Urinary stone analysis

Clear Images. Confident Diagnoses. Better Treatment Plans.

With digital X-rays, ultrasound, and advanced imaging capabilities, we get a detailed look inside your pet—so we can make informed, timely decisions about their health.

X-ray

X-rays are a vital diagnostic tool for examining your pet’s bones, joints, chest, abdomen, bladder, and other internal structures. Our hospital uses digital X-ray technology, which provides instant, high-quality images while reducing the need for retakes and minimizing radiation exposure. Our veterinarians can interpret initial X-ray studies and always send out images to a radiology specialist for expert review. Reasons we may take X-rays of your pet include:

  • Suspected fracture or soft tissue injury
  • Vomiting
  • Urinary tract problems
  • Abnormal abdominal palpation
  • Heart murmur
  • Coughing or difficulty breathing

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging technique that provides detailed, three-dimensional, real-time images of your pet’s internal organs without radiation. At Gentle Touch Veterinary Hospital, we partner with traveling ultrasound specialists to use ultrasound to evaluate abdominal organs, obtain biopsies, collect urine, and monitor hospitalized patients. Our hospital also offers echocardiography, a specialized ultrasound examination to assess heart function, through traveling imaging specialists.

Abdominal ultrasound

An abdominal ultrasound is a complete scan of your pet’s internal organs, including the liver, kidneys, spleen, bladder, adrenal glands, pancreas, gallbladder, and intestines. Non-invasive abdominal ultrasound is essential for diagnosing tumors, evaluating organ size and appearance, and obtaining ultrasound-guided needle biopsy samples. Our skilled traveling imaging specialists  obtain detailed measurements and image snapshots during an abdominal scan, then create a report to guide us in developing a treatment plan for your furry pal’s health concerns.

Echocardiography

Echocardiography, or cardiac ultrasound, is a specialized imaging technique used to evaluate the heart’s structure and function. Highly trained traveling sonographers perform the scan and then submit the results to a cardiologist for review and diagnosis. Echocardiography services are essential to diagnose and monitor pet heart conditions, including cardiomyopathy, valve disorders, and congenital malformations, and ensure adequate heart function before anesthesia in pets with a heart murmur.