Jacksonville Pet Diagnostics
Dog/Cat Xrays
Radiographs (X-rays) are extremely helpful for diagnosing and monitoring many medical and surgical conditions. X-rays are useful in examining your pet’s bones, lungs, heart, abdomen, oral cavity and other areas of the body. An X-ray can spot a fractured bone, detect tumors, help with the diagnosis of heartworm disease or locate an obstruction or foreign body in your pet’s intestine or stomach. When used in conjunction with other diagnostic procedures like ultrasound, X-rays can accurately diagnose problems, making treatment faster and easier for your pet and your veterinarian.
In order to provide your pet with the best medical care, Mandarin Animal Hospital uses an IDEXX I-Vision CR computerized X-ray machine. IDEXX is the leading manufacturer of this type of equipment and is able to create highly detailed images with a range of features that enhance your veterinarian’s ability to make an accurate diagnosis. Because our radiographs are digital, we are also able to easily submit them electronically to a board certified radiologist for timely second opinions.
Pet Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a very important diagnostic tool because it allows your veterinarian to gain a very precise look at your pet’s internal organs, chest and abdomen without surgery or sedation.
In particular, ultrasound is invaluable for making treatment decisions for various types of heart disease, assess the function and health of internal organs, and identify lesions, determine their origin, and if they have spread to other areas of the body. Ultrasound is also a very powerful surgical aid such as by helping guide your veterinarian while obtaining a biopsy or removing a foreign object from your pet.
In most cases, the procedure is relatively brief, less than an hour, and your pet is able to go home the very same day. Most importantly, though, your veterinarian will be able to make a highly accurate diagnosis of your pet’s condition and provide effective treatment recommendations.
Mandarin Animal Hospital works with Dr. Todd Grand, DVM, who comes to our facility to perform ultrasound studies. Dr. Grand performs abdominal and soft tissue and orthopedic ultrasounds as well as ultrasound-guided biopsies.
Electrocardiography
Electrocardiographs (ECG) are snapshots of how your pet’s heart functions. These are very helpful at detecting numerous types of arrhythmias as well as a handful of other cardiac conditions that can be difficult to identify through a stethoscope. You probably have seen an ECG machine—also known as an EKG machine—or have had one of these tests in your doctor’s office as they are commonly used to test for and diagnose common heart conditions in humans.
An ECG test is a noninvasive procedure that involves simply connecting a handful of electrodes to your pet's skin. The machine will read the electrical impulses coming from the heart as the heart works to pump blood and provide a graph for your veterinarian to read. If we notice any abnormalities we will explain them to you and advise you on next steps.
Tonometry
Glaucoma doesn’t only affect humans; your pet can develop it too. Glaucoma is a condition in which the fluid pressure inside the eye increases to a point where the optic nerve is damaged, causing loss of vision and blindness. Glaucoma is relatively common in animals and can develop as your pet ages—this is known as chronic glaucoma—or as the result of an injury or illness—this is known as acute glaucoma.
In many cases glaucoma can progress quite rapidly—especially when it is the result of injury or underlying illness—and is considered an emergency situation. Symptoms to look for include:
- Redness in the eye
- Tearing or discharge
- Eye sensitivity to light
- Pain
- The eye may look cloudy
- Bulging eyeball
Due to the severity and incidence of glaucoma, we recommend that you have your pet checked regularly for this disease. A routine glaucoma exam is not only an effective screening measure for chronic and acute glaucoma, but can also help set a baseline measurement for your pet. Setting a baseline measurement is important because normal Intraocular Pressure (IOP) can vary between species, breeds and even individual pets.
Dr. Mosley will use an instrument called a Tonometer to measure the fluid pressure inside your pet’s eyes. Although it is a noninvasive procedure that should not cause your pet any pain or discomfort; Dr. Mosley will apply a mild anesthetic eye-drop to ensure your pet is comfortable during the exam.
The examination is very quick to perform and once done, Dr. Mosley will explain your pet’s measurement, what it tells us about the health of your pet’s eyes, and provide any treatment options if necessary.
Mixed Breed Genetic Analysis
Knowing the breeds that make up your mixed breed dog’s ancestry is an important piece of your pet’s preventative medicine plan because some breeds have unique medical concerns we should be aware of.
Mixed breed genetic analysis, also known as a Wisdom Panel, is DNA testing that establishes the precise mix of breeds within your dog’s genetic makeup. The results can then be used to understand your dog’s personality, dietary needs, and any breed-specific medical issues we should be on the watch for, especially as your dog ages.
The test is very easy to administer, too. We will simply take a small blood sample, which will be sent for laboratory analysis. When we receive the results Dr. Mosley will meet with you to explain the report, answer your questions and offer recommendations for the care of your canine friend.
Our Pet Diagnostic Lab
Performing preventative medicine as well as diagnosing emerging internal health issues requires the ability to perform a wide range of laboratory tests on blood, urine, feces, and biopsied tissue. Without timely access to precise laboratory test results it is difficult to make an accurate diagnosis or assessment of your pet’s health.
For example, diagnostic testing can detect heartworm disease, Lyme disease, infections, feline leukemia, intestinal parasites, urinary tract infections, and many additional diseases and conditions that can go unnoticed in their early stages. Early blood testing can show evidence of disease such as diabetes, changes in liver or kidney function, or simply provide a baseline for future reference. Diagnostic testing is also included in pre-anesthetic screenings prior to dental or surgical procedures that require general anesthesia.
Mandarin Animal Hospital has a complete in-house laboratory composed of equipment by IDEXX. In many cases, our sophisticated instruments and diagnostic capabilities allow us to receive results within minutes.