Pet Diagnostics and Internal Medicine in Altadena
Being able to diagnose conditions in pets with the highest level of accuracy and efficiency is important to our team at Altadena Pet Hospital. Cats and dogs can develop conditions such as diabetes, cancer, hypo/hyperthyroidism and other problems just like we can. Therefore, to diagnose and offer treatment for these conditions, we will need to utilize our advanced pet diagnostics tools.
In addition to laboratory diagnostics including blood, fecal and urine testing, our hospital also offers cutting-edge digital X-ray and ultrasound. This technology enables us to examine our patients more fully and detect hidden illnesses or injuries before they get worse. Your pet deserves the most complete care in every respect, especially if they are battling disease. With diagnostics, we can improve lives and give owners much-needed peace of mind.
How We Can Detect a Problem
There are several ways our veterinary team can detect illness and diseases in pets. Following a physical examination, your veterinarian may suggest certain tests to check blood and organ values. The results may provide answers, or they may require further investigation through other means. In that case, we might send out blood or tissue samples for specialized testing, or perform an X-ray or ultrasound.
Digital X-Ray
X-rays give us the ability to see things that the normal eye cannot. Using minimal amounts of radiation, our team can obtain images of your pet's bones, teeth and heart. Furthermore, we can detect foreign objects in the intestinal tract. X-rays may also reveal:
- Broken bones
- Dental issues
- Heart conditions
- Tumors
- Excess fluids in the lungs and abdomen
Ultrasound
Instead of radiation, ultrasound uses sound wave pulses to create a detailed, moving image of the internal organs. With ultrasound we can assess the shape, size and texture of various organs including the kidneys, pancreas, bladder and heart. Additionally, ultrasound is ideal for evaluating pregnancies.
Conditions We Can Diagnose
Our pets may seem resilient, but they can develop illnesses just like we can. With pet diagnostics and internal medicine we can diagnose and treat many conditions, including:
- Bleeding disorders or anemia
- Dog and cat Diabetes
- Chronic vomiting or diarrhea
- Cancer or neoplasia
- Heart disease
- Hormonal imbalances (such as Cushing's disease)
- Infectious diseases
- Kidney and bladder diseases
- Sudden, unexplained weight loss
- Liver disease
- Hypothyroidism/hyperthyroidism
