Diagnostic

At Solomon Veterinary Clinic, we have an in-house laboratory that allows us to receive results for most tests within minutes to hours. This includes evaluation of blood chemistries, electrolytes, complete blood counts, parasite screens and urinalysis. Not only do we perform parasite screens and bloodwork, but we are also able to test for infectious diseases like feline leukemia, FIV and parvovirus. Our laboratory is able to test for complex metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, thyroid and adrenal gland disorders, as well as monitor blood levels of certain medications, like phenobarbital. Having this technology on the premises gives us the ability to gather valuable diagnostic information within minutes, which in turn allows us to find and treat a large number of illnesses that may affect your beloved pets.

Digital Radiography

Radiography is a valuable diagnostic tool in veterinary medicine. As we continually strive to offer the highest-quality medicine and diagnostic testing, we are pleased to offer radiology services as a means of providing excellent care to our patients.

Solomon Veterinary Clinic uses digital radiography (X-rays), which provides quicker, clearer and faster images than traditional film X-ray. A digital X-ray is taken and processed in seconds. Like a digital photo, a digital radiograph can be enhanced after it is taken, allowing our doctors to highlight the image in ways that weren't possible with film X-ray.

Radiography is painless, safe and completely noninvasive, and it uses only very low doses of radiation. Because the level of radiation exposure needed to perform radiography is very low, even pregnant females and very young pets can undergo radiography. Radiographs can be used to evaluate bones as well as the size, shape and position of many of the body's organs. The size of organs is important because some medical conditions, such as kidney, heart or liver disease, can alter the size of these organs. The shape and position of organs can be altered or distorted by certain medical conditions, including intestinal blockage or cancer. Tumors, depending on their size and location, can also sometimes be detected using radiography. Radiography can also be used to diagnose bladder stones, broken bones, chronic arthritis, certain diseases of the spine and a variety of other conditions. Radiographs are an important tool that can help us make an accurate diagnosis for your pet.

At Solomon Veterinary Clinic, we use the latest in advanced veterinary diagnostic tools to ensure that pets receive the highest quality of veterinary care. Electrocardiography is one of those tools. It is used to monitor a pet's heart rhythm and electrical impulses, and it can be performed with rapid results to assist in cardiology cases.

We will use this tool any time there's a concern about your pet's heart. If your pet is experiencing coughing, labored breathing, lethargy or weakness, it's possible that a heart condition could be the underlying cause. Electrocardiography will help our veterinarians to determine whether this is the case.

This procedure is noninvasive, and your pet will not need to be sedated. Your pet will be placed on his or her side and electrodes will be attached to specific regions along your pet's body. The resulting electrocardiogram (also known as an EKG or ECG) will be available for review within minutes.

Although humans and animals are different in many ways, some advances in human medicine are also very useful in veterinary patients. One of these advances, endoscopy, has proven to be a powerful diagnostic and therapeutic tool in veterinary medicine. As a practice, we consider it a goal to offer state-of-the-art medicine and diagnostic testing, so we are proud to offer endoscopy as a means of providing a higher level of quality care to our patients.

Endoscopy allows the veterinarian to examine and collect biopsy specimens from the stomach, small intestine and colon. Additionally, endoscopic procedures are usually noninvasive or minimally invasive. For example, foreign objects your pet may swallow can frequently be retrieved by endoscopy, making surgery unnecessary. We strive to offer our patients the highest level of medicine, and we are glad to be able to offer endoscopy as one of our diagnostic procedures.

Endoscopy utilizes high-tech fiber optic technology and enables our veterinarians to perform a direct visual examination of your pet's gastrointestinal system. In order to perform the procedure, your pet is anesthetized, and a tube containing a camera is passed down through the esophagus and into the stomach and the upper small intestine. Alternatively, the camera can be placed in the rectum and into the colon. These procedures allow our veterinarians to view any potential problems in your pet's oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, colon and upper intestinal tract.

Endoscopy is used to detect and diagnose a wide range of conditions. These include infections, inflammatory bowel disease, certain forms of cancer and the presence of foreign bodies.

When necessary, biopsies can be taken during the procedure. Should a foreign body be discovered, it may be possible to remove it at that time.

We are extremely pleased to be able to provide this service to our pet patients and their families. Endoscopy enables our veterinarians to accurately diagnose and treat conditions while avoiding the need for surgery in many cases. This means less trauma for your pet and a quicker recovery time.