Pet Diagnostics in Dunbar, Vancouver

Q: How quickly will I get my pet's diagnostic results?

Most in-house diagnostics produce results during the same visit. Reference laboratory samples typically return within 24 to 48 hours.

Good veterinary care depends on good information. The right diagnostic tool at the right moment can confirm a suspicion, rule out a worrying possibility, or change the entire direction of a case. Alta Vista Animal Hospital provides in-house and referral diagnostic services for dog and cat families across Dunbar and Vancouver's West Side. Blood panels, digital radiography, ultrasound, skin and fungal testing, urinalysis, and the additional workups that complex cases sometimes need. Same-day results are available for most in-house diagnostics, so the conversation about next steps can happen during the same visit.

Veterinary diagnostics include blood panels, urinalysis, faecal testing, digital radiography (X-ray), abdominal and cardiac ultrasound, and skin or fungal testing. In-house diagnostic equipment delivers most results the same day. More advanced testing is sent to a reference laboratory or coordinated through specialist referral when the case requires it.

In-House Bloodwork and Laboratory Testing

Our in-house laboratory runs the bloodwork and urinalysis most cases need with same-day turnaround. Complete blood counts, biochemistry panels, electrolyte panels, urinalysis, and faecal testing all happen in-clinic. Same-day results matter when a pet is unwell, since they let us start a care plan quickly rather than waiting overnight for outside results. For specialised tests not available in-house, samples go to a reference laboratory with results typically within 24 to 48 hours.

Digital X-Ray for Dogs and Cats in Vancouver

Digital radiography is the everyday imaging tool of veterinary practice. Fast, low-dose, and capable of providing clear images of bone, chest, and abdominal structures within minutes. Common uses include assessing the chest for heart and lung conditions, the abdomen for foreign bodies or organ size changes, and the musculoskeletal system for fractures, arthritis, and joint disease. Our team interprets every radiograph and forwards complex cases to imaging specialists when a second opinion is warranted.

Ultrasound Imaging

Ultrasound is the most powerful soft-tissue imaging tool available in general practice. Where radiographs show outlines, ultrasound shows internal structure, useful for assessing the abdomen, the heart, and most soft-tissue organs in detail. Common indications include abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, weight loss, suspected masses, and cardiac assessment. Our team performs in-house abdominal ultrasound and coordinates more advanced or specialist imaging through our trusted referral partners when needed.

Skin, Ear, and Fungal Testing

Skin and ear problems are the most common medical complaint we see, and accurate diagnostic testing is what separates a quick effective care plan from months of guesswork. Skin scrapings, ear cytology, hair plucks, fungal cultures, and bacterial culture and sensitivity testing all happen in-house. Each one answers a specific question and together they typically narrow the cause within one or two visits.

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FAQs

How quickly will I get my pet's diagnostic results?

Most in-house diagnostics, including bloodwork, urinalysis, faecal testing, digital X-ray, and ultrasound, produce results during the same visit. Samples sent to a reference laboratory typically return within 24 to 48 hours, with rush turnaround available for urgent cases.

Why does my pet need bloodwork before anaesthesia or before starting a new medication?

Pre-anaesthetic and pre-medication bloodwork checks organ function and identifies any underlying condition that could affect anaesthetic safety or change the choice of medication. It is a quick, low-cost check that significantly reduces the risk of a procedure or a new care plan.

Will my pet need to be sedated for X-rays or ultrasound?

Most pets tolerate digital X-rays and ultrasound without sedation, especially when the visit is calm and the procedure is brief. For pets who are very anxious or in pain, or for positions that require holding still for longer, light sedation can make the experience easier and the images clearer.

Book a diagnostic workup for your dog or cat. Call (604) 221-5858 to schedule bloodwork, X-rays, ultrasound, or the specific testing your pet needs at Alta Vista Animal Hospital in Dunbar.