Pet Diagnostics

Before any pet illness or other medical condition can be effectively be treated, an accurate diagnosis must first be made. That’s why we rely on diagnostic imaging and laboratory testing here at Kirkman Animal Hospital. These diagnostic services allow us to examine pets internally and are often recommended when there are certain external symptoms present. Because these services are available in-house, we can obtain results quickly, with some results available the same day. This allows for treatment and recovery to begin sooner.

Pet X-Rays

Pet X-rays (radiography) in our Orlando facility are used to safely and non-invasively examine various internal structures in the body, including the bones and soft tissues. An X-ray image can detect fractures and broken bones as well as foreign bodies and many other conditions. Because this technology is digital, it provides benefits for you, your pet, for our veterinarian, and even the environment including:

Pet Ultrasounds 

Ultrasound technology is another diagnostic imaging technology that we use to examine pets internally. Just like with an ultrasound for a human, every pet ultrasound in our Orlando hospital involves examining the internal organs in real time. The three-dimensional moving images are produced using sound waves, and can serve a number of purposes, including:

• Diagnosing pregnancy
• Assessing the shape, size, tissue density, and position of internal organs
• Identifying masses or tumors
• Serving as a guide during surgical biopsies
• Assessing heart health (echocardiogram)

In-house Laboratory Testing

Our in-house laboratory allows us to perform a number of tests on both healthy and ill pets. When used for a healthy pet, laboratory test results serve as a baseline to be used for future wellness visits. We can perform the following tests in our in-house lab:

• Blood tests (CBC, etc.)
• Urinalyses
• Fecal exams
• Biopsies

These tests are helpful in the early diagnosis of diseases and other conditions, such as heartworm disease, Lyme disease, diabetes, and feline leukemia (FeLV). Certain tests are also commonly used before the administration of anesthesia for surgery.