Diagnostics

Diagnostic testing enables our team to pinpoint the underlying cause of your pet’s symptoms, diagnosing their condition(s). We want our pet parents to be involved in the decision-making process, and we thoroughly discuss the diagnostic testing we recommend for your pet and their diagnostic test results. Personalizing your pet’s diagnostic plan ensures we avoid unnecessary tests and procedures while leading us to a more personalized and effective treatment plan.

Diagnostic Overview

Urinalysis

A urinalysis is a routine test Pet Health veterinarians use to screen and diagnose metabolic and kidney disorders in dogs and cats. The test is often obtained by performing a cystocentesis, which involves inserting a needle through the skin and into the bladder to collect a sterile urine sample. A urinalysis is an essential tool for detecting substances or cellular material in the urine that may indicate the presence of an underlying health issue.
The urinalysis measures various components, including concentration, pH, protein, glucose, blood, white blood cells, crystals, and bacteria. The urine concentration can provide insight into a pet’s hydration status, while the pH can indicate the presence of certain types of crystals that may cause urinary tract issues. Protein and glucose levels can indicate diabetes, while blood and white blood cells can indicate a urinary tract infection (UTI) or bladder stones. Crystals may be present in pets with underlying metabolic disorders, and bacteria may indicate an active UTI. Protein-losing nephropathy (PLN) is a disease that affects the kidneys and can be diagnosed through elevated protein levels in the urine.