In-House Veterinary Lab Testing
Our in-house laboratory allows River Road Animal Clinic to perform several common diagnostic tests without sending every sample to an outside lab. This can be helpful when a pet is showing signs of illness, when a veterinarian needs more information before treatment, or when blood work is recommended before anesthesia.
In-house lab testing may be used to evaluate your pet’s overall health, screen for disease, or establish a baseline for future wellness visits. These results give our team a clearer picture of your pet’s internal health and help us make more informed recommendations.
Common in-house lab tests may include:
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Blood work to assess organ function, blood cell counts, and signs of infection or disease
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Pre-anesthetic blood testing before surgery or dental procedures
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Heartworm testing for dogs
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Urinalysis to evaluate urinary health and support kidney and liver assessment
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Fecal exams to check for intestinal parasites
Digital Pet X-Rays
Digital X-rays, also called radiographs, allow our veterinarians to examine your pet’s bones, chest, abdomen, and other internal structures. Because digital images appear quickly on a screen, our team can review them during your pet’s visit and use them to help guide diagnosis and treatment.
Digital radiography also produces clear images that can be enhanced, stored, and shared when needed. X-rays are often recommended when a pet is limping, has pain, has swallowed something unusual, is coughing, or has symptoms that require a closer look inside the body.
Pet radiographs can help detect concerns such as:
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Fractures or bone injuries
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Foreign objects
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Certain masses or tumors
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Arthritis or joint changes
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Bladder stones
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Chest or abdominal abnormalities
Pet Ultrasound Services
Ultrasound uses sound waves to create real-time images of soft tissues and internal organs. While digital radiographs are especially helpful for bones and certain internal structures, ultrasound can provide a closer look at organs, fluid, and soft tissue changes.
River Road Animal Clinic offers ultrasound services on a weekly basis through a traveling board-certified veterinarian with portable ultrasound equipment. Your veterinarian may recommend an ultrasound when your pet’s symptoms, lab results, or physical exam findings suggest that more detailed imaging is needed.
Ultrasound may be used to evaluate areas such as the abdomen, chest, heart, muscles, tendons, and joints. It may also help assess concerns related to pregnancy, heart problems, soft tissue changes, and other internal health conditions.
When Your Pet May Need Diagnostic Testing
Pets cannot tell us exactly where they hurt or how they feel, so diagnostic testing can be an important part of veterinary care. Your veterinarian may recommend diagnostics if your pet is showing symptoms, needs surgery, has a chronic condition, or is entering their senior years.
Diagnostic testing may be helpful if your pet has:
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Vomiting or diarrhea
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Changes in appetite or thirst
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Weight loss
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Coughing or breathing changes
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Limping or signs of pain
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Urinary changes
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Lethargy or behavior changes
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A suspected injury
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An upcoming surgery or anesthetic procedure
Schedule Pet Diagnostics in Columbus, GA
If your pet is not acting like themselves, has an ongoing health concern, or needs lab work or imaging before treatment, River Road Animal Clinic is here to help. Our diagnostic services help our team gather the information needed to guide your pet’s care with greater confidence.
Call 706-327-8329 to schedule an appointment for pet diagnostics in Columbus, GA.