Thoughtful care begins with an accurate understanding of your pet’s health. Agave Grove Animal Hospital offers in-house diagnostic capabilities, including digital radiography, ultrasound, and bloodwork, so that we can evaluate your pet thoroughly and make informed recommendations, often during the same visit.
Before recommending a treatment plan, we use diagnostic testing to identify or rule out underlying conditions, so that every decision is grounded in sound medical evidence. Having these tools available in the hospital means that when your pet is unwell, treatment can often begin the same day rather than waiting for results from an outside laboratory.
Diagnostic Services
- Digital radiography (X-rays) of the chest, abdomen, bones, and joints, as well as dental radiographs during dental procedures. Images are available immediately and can be sent to a board-certified veterinary radiologist for review when appropriate.
- Ultrasound for detailed evaluation of the abdominal organs and bladder, and for guided sampling without surgery.
- In-house bloodwork, including complete blood counts, organ chemistry panels, electrolytes, and pre-anesthetic screening.
- Cytology and skin testing to evaluate lumps, ear infections, and skin conditions, often during the same appointment as a dermatology visit.
Urinalysis, fecal testing, heartworm testing, feline leukemia and FIV testing, thyroid testing, biopsies, cultures, and specialized panels are sent to a reference laboratory and typically return within a few days.
When Diagnostics Are Recommended
Diagnostic testing may be recommended when a pet is unwell, before anesthesia, as a baseline for senior pets, to monitor a chronic condition or long-term medication, or when the physical examination raises a question that cannot be answered by examination alone. We recommend tests that will help guide your pet’s care, and we explain the purpose of each test before it is performed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my pet need to be sedated for X-rays?
Often not. Digital radiographs are quick, and many pets tolerate positioning with gentle restraint. When a pet is painful or anxious, a short-acting sedative may be recommended to allow for clearer images and a more comfortable experience.
How quickly are results available?
Radiographs are available immediately, and in-house bloodwork is often completed during your visit. Tests sent to a reference laboratory typically take one to several days, and we will contact you as soon as results arrive.
Will you explain the results?
Yes. We review each result with you, explain what is normal and what is not, and discuss what, if anything, it means for your pet’s care. Copies of your pet’s results are available on request.
Can samples be collected during a house call?
Yes. Blood, urine, and fecal samples collected during mobile visits are processed at the hospital. Imaging requires a visit to the hospital.
