Clinical pathology involves the laboratory evaluation of blood, fluids or body tissues in order to identify existing disease. Common laboratory tests include blood chemistries, complete blood counts, blood clotting times, urinalysis, faecal tests, biopsy examination, bacterial/fungal cultures and infectious disease testing.

Our animal hospital is equipped with an in-house laboratory that allows our veterinarians to quickly perform many of these diagnostic tests to achieve an accurate and rapid diagnosis. This is especially important in very ill animals and those requiring immediate or emergency treatment. Some more specialised tests may need to be performed by an external veterinary laboratory.

Our in-house laboratory can provide results within minutes. Specialised testing may take 12-24 hours for blood results or up to 14 days for biopsy results, depending on the nature of the test being performed.

Mount Vet Hospital has the following in-house tests:

  • Urinalysis
  • Internal and external parasites
  • Haematology
  • Biochemistry
  • Activated clotting times
  • Canine Parvovirus, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline Leukemia Virus, Giardia
  • Cytology

Blood Serum Biochemistry

Serum biochemistry refers to the chemical analysis of blood serum. A profile of tests can be combined to evaluate renal function, electrolyte metabolism, serum proteins, digestion, injury, lipids, pancreatic function, and the liver. Specialized chemistry testing can also be undertaken to assess thyroid glands and liver function.

Haematology

Haematology is the study of the cellular components of blood. The most common blood test is a complete blood count (CBC). This test determines the number and type of white and red blood cells circulating in the bloodstream. It is most often used to check for signs of inflammation or infection (revealed by changes in the number and appearance of different kinds of white blood cells). Determining the number, size, and haemoglobin content of red blood cells helps identify disorders such as anemia. Platelets are also examined during a CBC; changes in platelets can help identify blood clotting disorders.

Pre-anaesthetic Blood Tests

We offer pre-anaesthetic blood tests which give us a picture of the internal health of your pet before they are due to have an anaesthetic. All anaesthetics will cause a reduction in your pets blood pressure which then reduces the circulating blood through the internal organs.

This can ultimately cause short term or long term damage to those organs depending on a number of factors:

  • length of the anaesthetic
  • the hydration status of your pet
  • the age of your pet
  • the temperature of your pet during surgery
  • the health of the organs pre-anaesthesia

Pre-anaesthetic blood testing enables us to check organ function is normal and not compromised in any way.

Reducing the risk of anaesthetic complications:

  • keep your pet hydrated by placing them on fluids
  • keeping your pet warm with our human standard patient warming system
  • keeping the length of anaesthetics to a minimum
  • pre-anaesthetic blood tests
  • monitoring your pet with our Veterinary ICU patient monitor
  • using the most up to date anaesthetic drugs available with the least side effects
  • one-on-one care from the surgical nurse from induction through to the post anaesthetic recovery phase