Diagnostic Services

Diagnostic Laboratory – When your pet is sick, he/she cannot tell us what is wrong. And sometimes a thorough physical exam does not give us all the answers we need to diagnose and treat your pet properly. In these cases, expanded diagnostic laboratory tests are employed. Plum Creek Veterinary Hospital is equipped with a state-of-the-art blood chemistry analyzer as well as a complete blood count (CBC) hematology analyzer. This accurate, precise lab equipment can give results in minutes so that appropriate treatment for your pet can begin as soon as possible. Additionally, our trained team members can perform a urinalysis, fecal examination and many other on-site lab tests to report immediate results. When more advanced, specialized tests are needed, or when time is not a crucial factor, we also send specimens to a reputable outside veterinary laboratory and, with few exceptions, receive results within 2-5 business days.

Digital Radiography – Radiographs (“x-rays”) are one of the most common, useful tests we can perform to aid in the diagnosis of your pet. Plum Creek Veterinary Hospital is equipped with the latest digital technology for both taking and capturing radiographic images. We have two digital radiography machines: one for general radiographs and one specifically for dental radiographs. We use radiographs to diagnose conditions such as a fractured bone, respiratory and cardiac disease, foreign objects in the gastrointestinal tract, tumors, and periodontal disease. This digital format allows us to acquire images in less time, refer images through the web to board-certified veterinary radiologists for second opinions when warranted, and take fewer images thereby lowering exposure of your pet and our staff to radiation. Additionally, since all images are digital, you may request a copy of the images on a disk to take home with you.

Ultrasound – Ultrasound is a very useful imaging tool to help diagnose and stage cardiac disease, diseases and foreign bodies of the stomach and/or intestines, urinary tract disease and some cancers. Ultrasound provides high quality, detailed, real-time images using sound waves. This is a non-invasive, painless way to look inside your pet’s body. At this time, Plum Creek Veterinary Hospital does not have an onsite ultrasound unit, however we can arrange for an ultrasonographer to come to us OR refer you to a nearby specialty hospital for ultrasound diagnostics when needed.