At Mono Veterinary Clinic we can perform a variety of laboratory tests in house. These include fecal floatations to look for parasite eggs, fecal smears to look for Clostridial bacteria, and urinalysis if there are issues with urination. We will also do ear swabs if your pet has a smelly ear to check for ear mites, yeast and bacteria. A complete blood count to assess whether your pet has anemia or an active infection can be done here at the clinic, whereas the chemistry blood tests that check organ function such as kidney, liver, adrenals, thyroid and pancreas are sent to Vita-Tech. This large lab which is located in Don Mills, provides us with twice a day sample pickup. If we have a sample ready for our 11 am pickup we often have the test results the same day, otherwise the test results are available to us the next morning. Vita-Tech provides us with a wide variety of blood tests including DNA testing and vaccine titers. If there is something special you need please inquire and we will do our best to help.
If your pet has a growth that we remove surgically, it is strongly recommended to send it off to have it looked at under the microscope by a clinical pathologist. This will give us an accurate diagnosis and allow us to prognosticate more accurately. The sample preparation is done by Vita-Tech but the tissue is actually looked at by a pathologist in Guelph. Because of the work involved in sample preparation, it may take up to 5 days to receive the results.
Mono Veterinary Clinic is also able to radiograph your pet. Most pets can be x-rayed without sedation but in some situations your pet may need sedation. For hip certification, radiographs can be sent either to the Ontario Veterinary College or to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals in the United States.
Ultrasonography,or ultrasound, is a diagnostic imaging technique similar to radiography (X-rays) and is usually used in conjunction with radiography and other diagnostic measures. It allows visualization of the deep structures of the body. Ultrasound can be used for a variety of purposes including examination of the animal’s heart, kidneys, liver, gallbladder, bladder etc. Ultrasound is a painless procedure with no known side effects. Most pets can be ultrasounded without sedation. For an accurate ultrasound, the pet needs to be fasted for at least 12 hours and the hair over the area to be ultrasounded will need to be shaved. Our ultrasounds are performed and interpreted by Dr. Ryan de Langley a specialist who provides this service all around southern Ontario.
Endoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that allows veterinarians to visualize and biopsy (obtaining samples of tissue for testing) your pet’s gastrointestinal tract without the need for invasive surgery. It can also allow a doctor to retrieve an accidentally swallowed item without the need for surgery. In order to use the endoscope your pet will need to have a general anesthetic. Mono Veterinary Clinic does not have an endoscope but is happy to refer you to a hospital that offers that service.
