Get an Accurate Diagnosis for Your Pet
In order to help your beloved pet to the best of our ability, the first step in executing an effective treatment plan for illness or injury is an accurate diagnosis. At Santa Fe Pet Clinic we just installed the newest state of the art Heska X-Ray technology to help diagnose and detect conditions that are a threat to your pet’s health and well-being.
X-Ray
X-rays are a non-invasive tool for viewing your pet’s organs and bones. Many conditions can be detected with an x-ray, and treated if caught early:
- masses & tumors
- changes in heart, spleen, and liver size
- fluid accumulation
- heart disease
- intestinal abnormalities
- obstructions
- fractures
- arthritis
- bladder stones
Using X-rays also helps to see foreign objects that have been swallowed, such as socks, dental floss, shredded towels, yarn, paper towels, toys, and coins. (We have seen all these items!)
In-House Laboratory Services
Periodic lab work is necessary to monitor pets taking certain medications such as:
- insulin
- thyroid prescriptions
- seizure medications
- pain medications
- steroids
This ensures safe and balanced levels of the medications being used.
At each annual exam, fecal testing for intestinal parasites and heartworm testing* is recommended to certify that your pets’ preventive medications are working properly to protect them from these dangerous and unseen invaders.
Learn More About Our Lab*Heartworm testing is required once a year to continue prescribing heartworm prevention medications. Sentinel is our heartworm madication carried in our clinic and can be purchased after a negative heartworm result. If your pet has been off heart worm medication for several months the doctor may require re-testing to be safe before resuming them. Severe problems can be caused if your pet takes heartworm prevention medication after having contracted heartworms.
Veterinary Ultrasound
We now offer Ultrasound Imaging with an Ultrasound specialist. We have two on-call, specialists that we can schedule for you and your pet to see.
Ultrasound Imaging allows diagnosis of conditions of the heart and lungs, gastrointestinal obstruction, tumors of the internal organs or bones, fluid in the chest or abdominal cavity, urinary stones or gallstones, reproductive diseases, and bone/joint disorders. For most patients, gentle restraint can be used for these procedures, however, in some cases, sedation may be necessary.
Please Note: Ultrasound is available by appointment only, please call ahead to schedule a time frame.
