Veterinary Diagnostic Lab
We use a variety of technologies, such as radiography for our diagnostic testing and imaging. This allows us to produce high quality images and diagnostic information about your pet's well-being and the health of their internal structures.
At Shatto Veterinary Center, we have advanced tools to help accurately diagnose your pet's medical issues. We offer a variety of services, from digital radiology to ultrasound and cold lasers.
With our diagnostic capabilities, we are able to effectively produce precise diagnostic information about you pet's conditions in order to provide immediate and customized treatment options.
In-House Lab & Veterinary Pharmacy in Los Angeles
We support our comprehensive veterinary services with our diagnostic lab in order to produce quick and efficient diagnosis and start treatment as soon as possible.
Our pet pharmacy in Los Angeles is stocked with a range of prescription diets and medications, providing us with quick access to any medications your pet may need while in our care.
Our Diagnostic Services
With our in-house veterinary diagnostics lab we are pleased to offer advanced diagnostic testing to allow our vets to provide an accurate diagnosis of your pet's medical issues.
- Radiography (Digital X-Rays)
Using a radiograph (digital x-ray), we can examine your pet's internal systems to reveal information that may be invisible from the outside.
Radiography is safe, painless and non-invasive. It uses only very low doses of radiation. Because the level of radiation exposure required to perform radiography is very low, even pregnant females and very young pets can undergo this procedure.
Radiographs can be used to evaluate bones and organs, and diagnose conditions including broken bones, chronic arthritis, bladder stones, spinal cord diseases and some tumors.
- Bloodwork
At our vet lab in Los Angeles we are able to run a number of common and specialized blood tests to determine the health of your pet, and to diagnose illness.
Some of the most common veterinary blood tests we do are CBC (complete blood count), white blood count, hemoglobin and MCHC, hematocrit, platelets, eosinophils, and blood serum profile.
- Heartworm Testing
We run specific blood tests to check your dog for heartworms. An antigen test detects specific heartworm proteins which are released by adult female heartworms into the dog's bloodstream.
In most cases, antigen tests can accurately detect infections with one or more adult female heartworm.
- Fecal Exams
A fecal exam is the microscopic examination of your pet's feces. All fecal exams are sent out to a laboratory for full diagnostics.
The goal of a fecal exam is the identification and treatment of any infections or parasites in your pet's gastrointestinal tract which may be compromising their health or the health of your household. Fecals allow us to determine if your pet is the host for parasites such as hookworms or roundworms.
Parasites can cause pets to feel uncomfortable or irritable and, if untreated, can cause a number of other serious conditions. Some may even be transmittable to humans.
Since GI parasites live inside your pet's body, they are often hidden from view. The only way to accurately detect them is with a fecal exam.
Annual fecal examines should be a vital part of every pet's routine wellness exam.