Pet Diagnostics in Homewood, AL
Ultrasound for Pets
Ultrasound is an advanced pet diagnostics imaging tool that allows us to study the internal, abdominal organs of our patients with clarity and accuracy. Ultrasound is a pain-free, drug-free, non-invasive method for performing internal exams, and detecting abnormalities and conditions that might otherwise go unnoticed. By having this technology at our disposal, we’re able to quickly and accurately diagnose many different problems in pets.
What is Ultrasound?
Our ultrasound machine transmits soundwaves via a handheld device through the patient’s tissues and organs. The sound waves create echoes when they bounce off soft, internal tissue, resulting in a real-time, 2-dimensional image. With ultrasound, we can evaluate the shape and texture of the organs, and determine their blood supply.
What Ultrasound Can Help Us Diagnose
Conditions we can diagnose in pets using ultrasound technology include:
- Pregnancies
- The presence of abdominal fluid
- Cysts and tumors
- Bladder stones
- Heart conditions
- ...and more
Benefits of Ultrasound
Ultrasound is strictly an imaging tool, which can reduce or eliminate the need for exploratory surgery. Sedation is typically unnecessary for a patient undergoing an ultrasound, unless they are under considerable stress and we feel that sedation would increase their comfort.
With ultrasound, we can quickly and accurately identify hidden health problems in pets, and therefore treat them sooner. This is especially helpful for pets with chronic health problems and urgent medical needs.
Digital X-Rays for Pets
We are committed to providing the absolute highest quality of care for our four-legged patients which is why our practice proudly offers digital radiography along with our other diagnostic services. Digital X-rays allow our team to quickly and accurately diagnose a variety of conditions, and they are safer as they expose our patients to minimal amounts of radiation when compared to traditional film X-rays. Another benefit of digital radiography is that images can be duplicated without marring their quality, so if the situation arises, we can send your pet’s results to veterinary specialists instantly.
With digital X-ray, we can detect conditions such as tumors, foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract, heart problems and bone fractures. Contact us today to learn more about digital radiology and our other diagnostic services.
Endoscopy for Pets
Endoscopy is a minimally invasive technique for performing procedures through natural openings in the body or through one or more tiny holes rather than through large incisions.
By performing procedures endoscopically patients will experience less pain, minimal recovery time and fewer complications. In most cases performing a procedure endoscopically allows for it to be done as an outpatient procedure, a less painful and traumatic alternative for both patient and owner.
Advantages of Endoscopy
- Less Pain
- Excellent Visualization of the internal organs
- Fewer Complications
- Faster Recovery
- Ability to access otherwise inaccessible parts of the body
Endoscopic Procedures
- Laparoscopic Spays are an alternative to a traditional spay. Performed through one small incision in the abdomen rather than a large incision it offers a less painful, faster healing alternative to traditional spays. A study published in the 2005 Journal of the Veterinary Medical Association concluded laparoscopic spays caused less surgical stress and up to 65% less post-operative pain than a traditional open surgical spay.
- Gastropexy is a preventative surgery. This surgery is indicated for at-risk dogs to prevent the twisting of the stomach which is fatal if not treated quickly. The stomach is sutured to the abdominal wall in order to prevent the stomach from twisting. A gastropexy is often done at the same time as a laparoscopic spay.
- Otoscopy allows for examination of both the external and middle ear; it is one of the most common applications of endoscopy in veterinary medicine. Otoscopy allows for safe and thorough ear cleaning under constant visualization, removal of foreign objects, polyp removal and diagnostic sampling. Disorders of the external ear are common in dogs; the visualization afforded by this technique make it a precise means of assessment of treatment and follow-up.
- Rhinoscopy is the exploration of the nose and back of the throat, commonly indicated in dogs and cats with nasal discharge, nasal obstruction, chronic sneezing, epistaxis, facial distortion, nasal pain, acute severe sneezing, reverse sneezing and abnormal radiographs.
- Cystoscopy is the exploration of the urinary bladder. This procedure is appropriate for a large number of small animal patients, including those presenting with chronic cystitis, pollakiuria, hematuria, stranguria, incontinence, trauma, calculi, and abnormal radiographs.
- Gastrointestinal Endoscopy is the endoscopic exploration of the stomach and intestines, a partial list of indications include: regurgitation, dysphagia, salivation, nausea, vomiting, hematemesis, melena, anorexia, diarrhea, weight loss, hematochezia, fecal mucus and tenesmus. It is most commonly used for obtaining biopsies and the removal of ingested foreign bodies.