Veterinary Diagnostic Lab
We use electromagnetic radiation among other technologies for our diagnostic imaging services. These technologies allow us to produce a highly detailed image of your pet's internal structures which we wouldn't otherwise be able to see.
At Paddock Park Animal Care Center, we use our advanced tools and technologies to help accurately diagnose your pet's medical health issues. We offer a wide range of services, from digital radiology to ultrasounds and ECGs.
With our diagnostic imaging capabilities, we can efficiently produce accurate diagnostic information about your pet's condition and provide immediate treatment options.
In-House Lab & Veterinary Pharmacy in Ocala
We perform tests to get results quickly using our in-house laboratory, so we are able to better diagnose your pet's symptoms and begin treatment as soon as possible.
Our Ocala pet pharmacy is stocked with a wide selection of prescriptions medications and diets to provide you with quick access to the medications your pet requires while at home or in our care.
Our Diagnostic Services
Using our in-house veterinary diagnostics lab, we can offer all of our patients with advanced diagnostic testing. This will let our vets provide accurate and quick diagnoses of your pet's medical issues.
- Radiography (Digital X-Rays)
Using digital x-rays (also called digital radiography), our vets can examine your pet's internal systems to reveal information that may be invisible to the outside.
Radiography is painless, safe, and non-invasive. It uses very low doses of radiation in its process. Because of this, even very young and pregnant pets can undergo this procedure safely.
Radiographs can be used to evaluate bones and organs, and diagnose conditions including broken bones, chronic arthritis, bladder stones, spinal cord diseases, and some tumors.
- Ultrasound
The use of diagnostic imaging allows our team of veterinary professionals to create extremely detailed images of your pet's internal structures.
Using ultrasound imaging, we can expose the parts of your pet's body we wish to examine to high-frequency sound waves to produce images of their internal systems and structures.
Since we capture ultrasound images in real-time, we are also able to monitor the movements of your pet's internal organs and the blood flowing through their vessels to better monitor their health.
Having this valuable technology available to our vets in our in-house lab means that your dog or cat's condition can be diagnosed quickly and treatment can start sooner.
- Endoscopy
An endoscope, used for this procedure, is a very small camera attached to the end of a flexible tube.
When we perform an endoscopy, a long, thin tube is inserted directly into the body to observe an internal organ or tissue in detail.
Minimally invasive endoscopes can be inserted into the openings of the body such as the mouth or anus.
- Bloodwork
At our vet lab in Ocala, we can run several specialized and commonly required blood tests to keep an eye on your pet's health as well as diagnose their illnesses.
Some of the most common blood tests we conduct are complete blood counts (CBCs) hemoglobin and MCHC, white blood counts, platelets, eosinophils, blood serum profiles, and hematocrit.
- Urinalysis
Urinalysis is a key diagnostic test that provides your vet with essential insights into the physical and chemical properties of your pet's urine.
Urinalysis is often used to assess your pet's kidney health as well as the function of their urinary tract. It can also be helpful, however, in detecting issues in other organ systems. Urinalysis is key in diagnosing metabolic diseases in pets, such as diabetes, too.
This is a valuable diagnostic test for both healthy and sick animals and should be included in any comprehensive evaluation of your pet's overall health.
- Fecal Exams
A fecal exam is the microscopic examination of your pet's feces, which can be done at our in-house vet lab in Ocala.
The goal of a fecal examination is to identify and treat any gastrointestinal infections which may be affecting your pet's health, and in some cases the health of your family as well. Fecals let your vet determine if your pet has intestinal parasites like roundworms or hookworms.
Parasites not only make your pet uncomfortable, but they can also lead to more serious conditions as well. Some may even be transmitted from pets to people.
Since these parasites live in your pet’s gastrointestinal tract, they are often hidden from view. The only way to detect them is with a fecal exam.
Annual fecal examinations should be a vital part of every pet's routine wellness exam.
- ECG / EKG
If your veterinarian performs a physical examination and suspects your pet may have a heart disorder, we usually take chest X-Rays and an electrocardiogram (ECG / EKG).
This procedure can be completed easily and quickly. It reveals data that may be integral to your pet's diagnosis. In other cases, a cardiac ultrasound may be required to identify disorders in the chambers of the heart.
- Digital Dental X-Rays
If your dog or cat is suffering from oral health issues such as tooth decay or gum diseases, much of the damage to their mouths can occur below the gum line, where it can't be easily seen. Digital dental x-rays help our veterinarians to assess your pet's oral health.
Digital X-Rays are safer for your pet. They allow our team of veterinary professionals to examine the roots, bones, and internal anatomy of your cat or dog's teeth.
With digital X-Rays, the risk of radiation exposure for your pet is significantly lower than with traditional X-Ray technology. We can see below the surface of your pet's gum line to fully evaluate each tooth.
This diagnostic technology allows our veterinary team in Ocala to see results immediately after conducting the procedure and then project those results onto a monitor for review.
