Get Quick Answers at Our In-House Lab

At South Paw Animal Hospital, we have the latest state-of-the-art laboratory equipment, which allows us to quickly perform diagnostics such as blood work, fecal analysis, or a urinalysis.

Although Dr. Marks can learn a lot by performing a physical examination of your pet, there are some signs of disease that can only be detected with further testing. And this doesn’t just apply to sick pets—it Is important to understand what’s going on inside with pets that appear healthy too.

Fecal Analysis: We check your pet’s stool twice a year for signs of intestinal disease and parasites. We will examine the stool for outward signs of disease--such as blood, mucus, and abnormal consistency or color. We’ll also perform a fecal flotation procedure and take a look with a microscope, which is the best way to uncover the presence of the most common internal parasites, such as roundworms, hookworms, or whipworms. We also perform a separate test for Giardia, a water-borne intestinal parasite that is common in our area.

CBC (Complete Blood Count) and Chemistry Panel:

Symptoms of some conditions or diseases won’t show up until your pet is very sick. That’s why we test your pet’s blood annually to detect and try to prevent disease as early as possible. These blood tests tell us whether your pet is anemic (not enough red blood cells) or fighting infection. We can also tell whether internal organs, such as the liver and kidneys, are functioning properly. In some cases, treatable diseases such as diabetes can be detected with these tests.

Urinalysis:

Like a blood test, a urine test gives us an understanding of how healthy your pet is on the inside. A urinalysis once a year offers clues that point to underlying causes of disease, such as a bladder infection or kidney disease. Once we have the results of this test and the blood tests, we’ll have a picture of your pet’s internal health and will be well on our way to detecting disease as early as possible.

Call (609) 465-9006 to schedule an appointment.