Dogs and cats are experts at masking illness. By the time a pet is visibly limping, vomiting, or losing weight, an underlying problem may have been developing for months or even years. Diagnostic testing can help us catch issues before outward signs appear and creates a baseline for spotting subtle changes as your pet ages.

We recommend annual bloodwork, urine testing, and fecal testing as a gold standard in preventive medicine.

Each test answers a different question. Bloodwork shows how organs are functioning and what's circulating in the body. Imaging shows the structure and position of organs and bones. Cytology, urinalysis, and fecal testing examine cells or organisms. Together, these tests can provide a more complete and accurate picture than any single test alone.

Ultrasound uses sound waves to create real-time moving images of soft tissue. X-rays create still images and are often used to evaluate bones, joints, lungs, and the abdomen. Ultrasound reveals internal detail in organs such as the liver, kidneys, spleen, and bladder, as well as blood flow and the heart in motion. The tests complement each other, and we may recommend both in some cases.

We can test for different types of intestinal parasites as well as bacteria and viruses. These infections can sometimes cause illness but may also be present without obvious signs. Some can be passed to people, so regular testing helps protect both your pet and your family.

A urinalysis evaluates urine concentration, pH, glucose, protein, and the presence of blood, crystals, bacteria, or abnormal cells. It can reveal information about kidney function, hydration, the urinary tract, and conditions elsewhere in the body such as diabetes or liver disease.