Diagnostic care is one of the most important components of pet care. Advanced diagnostics allows for an internal examination of a pet. Dignity Veterinary Hospital is equipped with digital X-Ray, Ultrasound, ECG, and non-invasive blood pressure. With these services, we can provide your pet with a more accurate diagnosis and the most effective treatment.
Digital X-Ray(Diagnostic)
Because a physical exam isn’t always enough to fully diagnose your pet’s condition, we rely on our digital X-Ray equipment for an internal examination. X-Rays can help our doctors diagnose different conditions, including pregnancy, broken bones, foreign bodies and a look at all the internal organs in general.
There are several benefits with using state of the art digital X-Ray technology. We can obtain images within seconds, not minutes or hours, we have the ability to share them with outside specialists when needed, via email, less radiation is used compared to film radiology, meaning less exposure to your pet and our staff, and less time waiting for your pet as with film radiology where sometimes multiple images were needed, plus development time.
Ultrasonography(Diagnostic)
Ultrasound is a fairly recognized diagnostic tool today in the veterinary field. Ultrasound is a non-invasive modality that has no side effects. Occasionally mild sedation is needed to help an over anxious patient remain still so that we can capture a clear image. Radiographs provide an overall snapshot of an abdomen or thorax, ultrasound does not offer a view of the entirety of any particular region in the body but allows us to look at the architecture of an organ.
Ultrasound provides a great deal of information for its cost and is more readily available compared to a CT scan or an MRI. Fluid can be distinguished from a soft tissue mass or a foreign body, which can sometimes be difficult to differentiate on X-Ray.
Being able to diagnose heart and abdominal abnormalities can be life saving in an emergency situation. Ultrasound is one way we can evaluate the function of the heart and diagnose specific heart diseases. Ultrasound can also diagnose when there is fluid in the abdomen. Both potentially fatal. With an echocardiogram- an ultrasound of the heart, we can evaluate how the blood is flowing as well as whether the heart valves are functioning properly during a heartbeat.
Ultrasound is a useful diagnostic tool and we are happy to be able to offer it to our clients.
ECG and Blood Pressure Monitoring
Dignity Veterinary Hospital offers ECG’s, and non-invasive blood pressure monitoring to screen for heart and lung conditions. Heart and lung conditions can affect pets of any age and can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated in the early stages. We work closely with East Valley specialists should your pet require further specialized diagnostic care. Below are some common heart and lung conditions that we see:
- Arrhythmias
- Congenital heart disease
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Valvular disease
Digital Video Otoscope (Diagnostic)
The DE501 Digital Video Otoscope is a special purpose digital video camera combined with a high magnifications lens and multiple ultra-bright LEDs.
Powered by 50x variable magnification, this innovative device streams high quality live video to a computer or a tv. This enables the user to view and record crystal clear images or videos. The DE501 has been adopted in some of the most reputable veterinary clinics, and vet schools worldwide. Most common uses are for inner ear examinations, client communication and education, keeping patients records and showing any changes.