Pet Diagnostics tools
Hernando Animal Clinic & Surgery Center has multiple diagnostic tools at our facility to help your pet's health issues or injuries be diagnosed quicker and their treatment and healing be faster. We have digital x-rays, OFA x-rays, ultrasound, tonometry, electrocardiography (ECG), an in-house lab and fully-stocked veterinary pharmacy.
Radiology (X-rays)
Radiography is a valuable diagnostic tool in veterinary medicine. Sometimes called an x-ray, radiographs reveal information that may not be discernible from the outside. Radiography can be used to evaluate almost any organ in the body, including the heart, lungs, and abdominal organs, as well as the bones. Radiography can also be used to diagnose bladder stones, broken bones, chronic arthritis, certain spinal cord diseases, and a variety of other conditions.
Radiography is painless, safe, and completely non-invasive, and it uses only very low doses of radiation. Our radiology service is staffed by caring, skilled professionals who will provide state-of-the-art care with compassion and expertise.
Because the level of radiation exposure needed to perform radiography is very low, even pregnant females and very young pets can undergo radiography. Radiographs can be used to evaluate bones as well as the size, shape, and position of many of the body’s organs. The size of organs is important because some medical conditions—such as kidney, heart, or liver disease—can alter the size of these organs. The shape and position of organs can be altered or distorted by certain medical conditions, including intestinal blockage or cancer. Tumors, depending on their size and location, can also sometimes be detected using radiography.
For dogs with a potential for hip dysplasia, we offer OFA-xrays for peace of mind.
UltrAsound
One of our goals is to offer state-of-the-art medicine and diagnostic testing; so we are pleased to offer ultrasound services as a means of providing a higher level of quality care to our patients.
Diagnostic ultrasound has proven to be a powerful tool in veterinary medicine. Ultrasonography uses high-frequency sound (ultrasound) waves to create a picture of what is inside your pet’s body. It is a completely non-invasive, painless way to diagnose and evaluate many common diseases.
Ultrasound waves can generate excellent images of abdominal organs, including the liver, spleen, gallbladder, and kidneys. It is also useful for assessing fetal health and monitoring pregnancy in breeding animals, and it can help us diagnose and stage (determine the severity of) some forms of cancer.
Because ultrasound images are produced in real time, this technology can be used to evaluate the heart as it beats. It helps us detect abnormalities in the motion of heart valves, blood flow through the heart, and contractions of the heart muscle. It can also be used to assess the heart for defects.
When Would My Pet Need an Ultrasound?
If your pet ever needs an ultrasound, it can help us diagnose:
- Cancerous tumors
- Cysts
- Obstructions in the GI tract
- Heart conditions
- Foreign bodies
- Pregnancies
- Fluid in the abdomen or around the heart
Does your pet need diagnostic help? We can help!
in-house laboratory
Laboratory testing is a valuable diagnostic tool in veterinary medicine. As we continually strive to offer the highest-quality medicine, we are proud to include in-house diagnostic laboratory services as a means of providing excellent care to our patients.
Although many important diagnostic tests can only be performed by outside laboratories, other tests can be performed in-house. Having access to accurate in-house diagnostic test results can help our veterinary care team serve your pets’ needs by expanding the testing options available to all our patients.
Have questions about the diagnostic testing services we offer? Ask one of our skilled professionals how our laboratory services can benefit your beloved pet.
Tonometry
When your pet's eyes are checked during his or her exam, any abnormalities may need another look. Hernando Animal Clinic offers our clients the benefit of a tonopen - a tool to measure the fluid pressure inside the eye.
Using an instrument called a tonopen, our doctors are able to calculate and measure the pressure of the fluid within your pet's eyes. If your pet has red, irritated eyes, has suffered head or eye trauma, or is being monitored for glaucoma, bring them in to us for an additional test.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Electrocardiography involves placing electrodes on your pet and measuring the electrical activity of their heart. Issues we look for in cardiology are hypertension, heart failures and arrhythmias, disorders of heart valves, and cardiomyopathies (both dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). This tool helps us monitor the function of your pet’s heart and detect abnormalities, such as heart murmur.
Since the lungs and heart function together in your pet, we are also versed in diseases of the lungs and chest cavity.
in-house pharmacy
When considering options for purchasing medication, pet owners have many choices, including online pharmacies and mail-order catalogs. But where can you truly get the best value for your money? Who can offer you the most reliable and personalized service? Who has the most complete medical information on your pets, and the ability to anticipate drug interactions or other problems that can result from inappropriately administering medication? Before you purchase your next prescription or medication refill, ask us about our fully stocked pharmacy.
You and your pet will benefit from our well-stocked pharmacy. We maintain a large inventory of veterinary pharmaceutical products and medications, including flea, tick, and heartworm preventive products. You can rely on us whether your pet requires medication for a chronic medical condition or needs short-term medication while recovering from an illness, injury, or surgery. When you purchase medications from our pharmacy, you can rest assured that your pet’s medications were obtained from safe, reliable sources and stored under optimal conditions. Our trained staff will fill your prescriptions with care as well as attention to detail and your pet’s specific needs. You can count on us to provide you with accurate information about your pet’s medications, including proper dosing information, and to alert you to any potential drug side effects or interactions. We are also here if you experience any problems with your medication after you return home. Help is only a phone call away!
If you want to be sure to get the most value for your dollars, as well as convenience and the best customer service, call us for your next prescription or medication refill. We are pleased to provide our clients with a fully stocked pharmacy, and we stand behind every product that we dispense.
