Full In-house Pet Lab
Fort Hunt Animal Hospital features a full in-house pet lab in Alexandria, VA, enabling us to provide fast and accurate diagnostic services for your pet. Whether your companion is sick or undergoing routine health monitoring, our in-house laboratory means we can determine the best course of action right at your appointment.
Benefits of a Full In-house Pet Lab
Our full in-house pet lab in Alexandria, VA means that our team can perform a wide range of diagnostic tests right here in our clinic. That means our clients can count on getting:
- Faster Results: In-house testing eliminates the need to send samples to outside labs, which can take days.
- Immediate Diagnosis: For urgent cases, having quick access to lab results can be crucial in diagnosing and treating your pet promptly.
- Comprehensive Testing: We offer a wide range of tests that help us monitor your pet’s health and detect conditions before they become serious.
What Tests Are Performed in Our In-house Lab?
Our pet lab is equipped to perform a huge variety of tests to analyze the finest details of your pet’s health. Some of the most common tests we perform include:
- Blood Tests: Complete blood counts (CBC) and blood chemistry panels help us assess your pet’s organ function, detect infections, and monitor for anemia or other blood disorders.
- Urinalysis: Urine tests allow us to check for infections, kidney function, and other conditions that may affect your pet’s health.
- Cytology: This test helps us examine cells from skin, ears, and other tissues to detect infections, tumors, or inflammation.
- Heartworm Testing: Detecting heartworm early is crucial to prevent serious complications. We can quickly diagnose heartworm infections with in-house testing.
How does a Full In-house Lab assist in Pet care?
Quick and accurate test results are essential to our approach to giving your pet effective individualized care. That means our full in-house pet lab in Alexandria, VA is an essential component in our care, allowing us to:
- Monitor Ongoing Conditions: If your pet is being treated for a chronic condition such as diabetes or kidney disease, regular lab work is essential to monitor progress and adjust treatments as needed.
- Detect Hidden Illnesses: Many illnesses don’t show obvious signs in the early stages. Routine lab tests can help detect problems before symptoms appear, allowing for earlier treatment and better outcomes.
- Assess Overall Health: Annual wellness exams often include lab tests to evaluate your pet’s internal health, even if they appear healthy on the outside.
When is Pet Lab Testing recommended?
Routine lab work is often recommended during annual wellness visits to catch potential issues early. However, your pet may need lab tests at other times, such as:
- Before Surgery: Pre-anesthetic blood work ensures your pet is healthy enough to undergo surgery safely.
- When Sick: If your pet is showing signs of illness, lab tests help us diagnose the problem quickly and accurately.
- For Senior Pets: Older pets may require more frequent lab testing to monitor for age-related conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes, or arthritis.
Trust Our Full In-house Pet Lab for Fast, Accurate Results
At Fort Hunt Animal Hospital, our full in-house pet lab is just one part of how we provide the highest possible standard of care for your pet. Whether your pet is undergoing routine testing or needs immediate diagnostics, we have the tools and expertise to ensure they receive prompt, accurate results. If you have any questions about our lab services or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us today.