Veterinary Diagnostics:
Giving Pets a Leg Up

At Becker Animal Hospital, we believe in providing the best possible care to our patients. In order to achieve this, our veterinarians and staff are continually educating themselves on the latest developments in veterinary medicine.

Having these resources available on site means that we can quickly help our patients should an emergency arise. In addition, we are able to make the most of every appointment by conducting any necessary tests and obtaining the results in a timely manner, leading to a quicker diagnosis and exploration of treatment options.

Tools We Use to Care for Your Pet

Each pet has individualized health care needs that change over the course of its lifetime. While your pet may never need some of these tools, it is reassuring to know they are available, just in case.

• X-ray or radiography—Our veterinarians turn to this technology to look for abnormalities in the chest and abdominal cavities. It is also used to explore masses or obstructions (foreign bodies that were potentially swallowed), as well as lung and heart issues. Should a patient exhibit signs of lameness, radiography can help us to identify fractures and osteoarthritis.
• Electrocardiography (ECG)—This tool is used to monitor a pet’s heart rhythm. Some animals are genetically prone to cardiac abnormalities, and early detection will enable us to provide timely treatment. In addition, certain symptoms, such as coughing or difficulty breathing, could be a sign of something more serious, which an ECG could help identify.
• Blood pressure monitoring—The equipment used to take a pet’s blood pressure is not the same as the device used in a human doctor’s office. However, the measurement can be just as important. High blood pressure, a serious condition itself, may also be a sign of an underlying disease, such as diabetes. Blood pressure monitoring is especially important for senior pets, as they are more prone to hypertension.
• Ultrasound—Should your pet need an ultrasound, we will either schedule an on-site appointment to provide this service or refer you to a specialty facility. Ultrasound technology is especially helpful when it comes to examining the structure of internal organs.
• Veterinary laboratory—Laboratory tests are an essential diagnostic tool in veterinary medicine. At each annual pet wellness exam, an intestinal parasite test and, for dogs, a heartworm test will be recommended. In addition, a complete blood count and serum chemistry panel may be recommended for senior pets. This information provides baseline measurements so that any changes in a pet’s health can be monitored and quickly treated, if necessary.
• When a pet is scheduled for veterinary surgery, a pre-anesthetic blood panel is conducted on the patient to ensure that internal organs are functioning properly and that the pet is healthy enough to be anesthetized. Our in-house laboratory is able to quickly and accurately process these results, along with an array of other lab tests. In addition, we have relationships with outside veterinary laboratories that can perform specialized tests as needed.

Becker Animal Hospital is pleased to be able to provide access to these diagnostic tools for our clients. It’s part of our ongoing commitment to excellent pet care for Northfield area animals and their families!