A yellow labrador being examined with a stethoscope

What to expect

No surprises, either end.

Before

Tell us what changed — eating, drinking, energy, toileting. Small observations narrow the search fast.

During

Imaging and sampling chosen for the question we are actually asking, not a blanket panel.

After

In-house results in 30 minutes when it is urgent; 24–48 hours through the reference lab when it isn’t, with specialist consultation available on abnormal results.

At South Town Animal Hospital we have a wide range of diagnostic tools to assist the veterinarians with making a diagnosis quickly and accurately, to get your pet back on a healthy path.

Radiology

Our top-of-the-line digital x-ray suite enables us to take ultra-clear x-ray images much faster than conventional film x-ray, which means less stress and radiation for the patient. Digital x-rays can also be effortlessly shared with specialists for referral or consultation.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is another form of non-invasive imaging that allows us to look inside your pet’s body without surgery. We utilise a mobile ultrasound service and can typically schedule an ultrasound for your pet within 24–48 hours. The images are reviewed and interpreted by a board certified radiologist before being sent to your veterinarian.

Laboratory

Pets can’t tell us where it hurts, and many conditions share the same symptoms. To make a diagnosis your veterinarian may need to test their blood, urine and/or faeces. Essential lab testing for puppies, kittens and adult pets is provided, in addition to specialized testing. There are many types of lab test, and these are usually sent to an external laboratory with results typically received in 24–48 hours. That external lab can also provide board certified specialist veterinarians for consultation if results are abnormal.

When faster results are needed — for example with a critically ill or injured pet — we maintain an in-house diagnostic lab suite and can have your pet’s lab results within 30 minutes.

Why we test well pets too

Pets age much faster than we do, and most cats and dogs are considered senior by the time they are seven years old — even earlier for large breed dogs. By performing lab work at annual wellness check-ups, we can catch the beginning signs of many conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disease, liver and kidney disease. These conditions are far easier to treat early, before a pet starts showing symptoms.

For example, most cats diagnosed in the early stages of chronic kidney disease live 2–3 years. Cats diagnosed in later stages tend to live less than 6 months after diagnosis.

Routine lab testing is also an important tool in diagnosing parasitic infections that can be harmful or even fatal if left untreated, such as heartworm disease. Faecal testing for intestinal parasites such as roundworms matters too — these can be passed from pets to people.