When it comes to your pet’s health care, you expect nothing but the best. And, with our in-house laboratory, we can deliver that. Cutting-edge diagnostic testing equipment is key to providing our patients with top-notch care, because test results are essential for monitoring health and guiding treatment plans.

Outside laboratories are necessary for advanced, specialized tests, and we also utilize these services when results aren’t urgent. Here, our Bartow Animal Clinic team outlines the benefits you and your pet can enjoy from our state-of-the-art diagnostic testing equipment.

#1: Results are received much more quickly with in-house diagnostic equipment

When we send samples to an outside laboratory, we have to wait for the courier service to pick up or the post office to ship out the sample. Then, the sample has to be delivered to the laboratory, possibly sustaining damage from mishandling and, rarely, being rendered unusable.

While damaged samples are unusual, the shipping time required to reach an outside laboratory is much too long when your pet is ill or injured. We need answers fast, and with our in-house laboratory, we can perform comprehensive diagnostic testing that yields results in minutes. You no longer need to wait three to five business days for your pet’s test results, because we can diagnose the problem before your appointment ends.

#2: Treatment based on test results can be implemented immediately

The most effective treatment is based on diagnostic testing results. While we can make highly educated guesses about what is affecting your pet and the best course of treatment for that condition, knowing test results quickly is crucial for formulating appropriate, effective treatment. 

For example, we can perform an in-house fecal exam and diagnose your new puppy with roundworms and whipworms on their first visit, which allows us to send you home with the appropriate deworming medication for both intestinal parasites. Not waiting for test results to determine the best treatment is more convenient for you and your pet.

Another example—we frequently perform ear cytology diagnostic testing in-house, which allows us to immediately treat your pet appropriately and provide relief, instead of waiting on the results. We simply swab a sample from your pet’s ears and look under our microscope for yeast, bacteria, mites, or other inflammatory or infectious issues to identify the cause of infection. We can administer treatment in our hospital the same day, so your pet will immediately feel more comfortable. 

#3: In-house testing can save you time and money

While we try to keep costs to a minimum, there’s no way around it—outside laboratory tests cost more money. Highly specialized equipment, tests, and personnel mean larger fees, but they can be worthwhile when your pet has a condition that is difficult to manage or cannot be diagnosed with standard in-house equipment.

Performing diagnostic tests in our hospital saves you time and money, since most diagnostic tests can yield results in half an hour or less. Blood work generally takes the longest, while a fecal exam can take less than 10 minutes. When we can perform tests and interpret results during the same appointment, we can send you on your way with the appropriate treatment for your pet, without the necessity for another visit to go over test results and a treatment plan.

#4: An in-house laboratory improves anesthetic safety

Before your pet undergoes an anesthetic or surgical procedure, we like to know their health status immediately. Our in-house laboratory allows us to run blood work, take X-rays, perform a urinalysis, and conduct other vital testing and gives us the most complete picture of your pet’s health before they are anesthetized. Knowing that your pet is dehydrated, anemic, or suffering from an infection or another health issue that could alter how they metabolize the anesthetic drugs is essential for designing their safest anesthetic protocol.

#5: In-house testing guides your pet’s care

At your pet’s annual wellness visit, we will recommend several tests to check for early stage disease and screen for various health problems. By conducting these tests during a wellness visit—when your pet should be perfectly healthy—we can detect developing problems and begin the appropriate treatment long before clinical signs appear.

At  Bartow Animal Clinic we’re proud of our in-house laboratory with state-of-the-art diagnostic testing equipment. We can get test results rapidly and provide the best care for your four-legged friend. Contact us to discuss how our in-house lab can benefit your pet.