Diagnostics
To better understand your pet’s health, Metrowest Veterinary Associates has the capability to do a wide range of diagnostics.
A veterinarian may recommend performing diagnostics for the benefit of your pet’s health. We use diagnostics for preventive care screening and, or to diagnose your pet’s symptoms and start treatment as soon as possible.
Our Diagnostic Services
With our in-house veterinary diagnostics lab, we can offer advanced diagnostic testing to allow our vets to give an accurate diagnosis of your pet’s medical issues.
Digital Radiography (X-Rays)
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- With a radiograph, we can examine your pet's internal systems to reveal data that may not be visible from the outside. Radiography is non-invasive, safe and painless. Because it uses only very low doses of radiation, even pregnant females and very young pets can undergo this procedure.
- Radiographs can be used to evaluate organs and bones, and diagnose conditions including bladder stones, chronic arthritis, spinal cord diseases, broken bones and some tumors.
Abdominal and Cardiac Ultrasounds
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- Traveling internal medicine specialists and a sonographer come to the clinic to provide ultrasound services for the patients of Metrowest Veterinary Associates. We offer abdominal ultrasounds and echocardiograms (ultrasounds of the heart). If these diagnostics are recommended, we will set up a separate appointment for your pet.
Bloodwork
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- Full in-house laboratory for urgent, critically ill patients and patients undergoing anesthesia, such as: complete blood cell count (CBC), chemistry and 4dx (heartworm, and tick-borne disease testing for lyme, anaplasma, and ehrlichia)
- Access to several reference laboratories for specialized testing and preventative screenings
Urinalysis
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- Urinalysis is a key diagnostic test that provides your vet with essential insights into the physical and chemical properties of your pet's urine. Urinalysis is primarily used to assess the health of your animal's kidneys and urinary tract system, but it can also be helpful in detecting issues in other organ systems and is important for diagnosing metabolic diseases such as diabetes.
- In-house and reference lab services available
Digital Dental Radiography
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- If your cat or dog is suffering periodontal disease, much of this damage occurs below the gum line, where it can't be easily seen. Digital dental X-rays help our veterinarians assess your pet's oral health.
- Digital X-rays are safer for your pet. They allow our team of veterinary professionals to examine roots, bones and internal anatomy of your cat or dog's teeth.
- With digital X-rays, the risk of radiation exposure for your pet is significantly lower than with traditional X-ray technology. We can see below the surface of your pet's gum line to fully evaluate each tooth and the health of its roots.
Electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG)
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- If your veterinarian performs a physical examination and suspects your pet may have a heart disorder, we may recommend an electrocardiogram.
- This procedure can be completed easily and quickly. It reveals data that may be integral to your pet's diagnosis. In other cases, a cardiac ultrasound may be required to identify disorders in the chambers of the heart.
Blood Pressure
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- Doppler blood pressure monitor is the most accurate measure of blood pressure in an awake patient (ie not under anesthesia). The doppler is placed on the back of the paw and the blood pressure cuff on the same limb, like a nurse placing the stethoscope on your arm just below the blood pressure cuff.
- We use our doppler blood pressure monitor to screen for high blood pressure, but also in cases to monitor response to certain medications that may raise or lower a pet’s blood pressure.
Tonometry
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- Tonometry is the measurement of pressure inside the eye and is performed with an instrument called a tonometer. It is primarily used to diagnose conditions such as glaucoma or uveitis.
Veterinary Services
Below are all of the veterinary services we offer at Metrowest Veterinary Associates. If you have any questions regarding our services, please feel free to call us.