Commonly Used Tests in Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories

Every pet owner hopes their pet will have a long and healthy life. Regular visits to the veterinarian can help with this. A veterinarian can’t fully understand an animal’s health without first running diagnostic tests. Sometimes, a pet’s outward demeanor has little to do with how they feel, just like it may happen with people. Nonetheless, if the vet has access to reliable diagnostic testing, they may be able to catch a problem early and treat it. The following are examples of crucial diagnostic procedures for your pet:

Clinical Chemistry

The analysis of a specimen’s chemical composition is called clinical chemistry. Testing on other bodily fluids is possible. The blood’s liquid portion is usually taken as a sample (serum or plasma). The state of your pet’s several organs can be determined by clinical chemistry tests (kidneys, liver, etc.).

Cytology

Cytology studies cells, including how they are made, what they do, and how they perish. Pathologists can help veterinarians learn more about the cells in your pet’s body. Fine-needle biopsies are used to collect tissue or fluid samples, which are then used to create slides and stain them for microscopic inspection to identify the different cell types present.

Fluid Analysis

Body fluids apart from blood are part of what the fluid analysis looks at (urine, joint fluid, etc.). Experts who analyze bodily fluids work closely with other professionals to gauge your pet’s health. Looking for cellular components and proteins is a common part of the fluid analysis. Clinical chemistry testing for particular compounds may also be performed on wellness examinations.

Hematology

Red blood cells, white blood cells, and also platelets are the biological components of blood studied in hematology. A complete blood count is the most typical blood test. Basic data about anemia, inflammation, and clotting can be gleaned from this test by analyzing the number and composition of cells in the blood. If you see any gum irritation in your pet, look up a reliable dentistry page and book a visit to determine if lab testing is required.

Histology

The field of histology is concerned with the microscopic structure of various organisms’ tissues. Histopathologists specialize in the study of microscopic tissue samples to diagnose disease. As a result of their research into the origins and consequences of the disease, pathologists are often able to pinpoint the specific abnormalities in tissue or cell structures that led to the onset of the condition.

For cancer or other tissue-altering diseases, your vet may send small tissue samples to a pathologist for further analysis.

Microbiology

Researchers in the field of microbiology analyze various microscopic species, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other single-celled organisms. Specialists in veterinary microbiology use a battery of diagnostic procedures to identify the origin and severity of sickness. First, culturing and identifying microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi, is standard practice.

Serology

Specializing in the study of blood serum and other physiological fluids. Most serologic tests determine whether or not antibodies are present and reactive to a certain pathogenic bacterium by measuring the antibody’s titer. Suppose your pet’s immune system has produced antibodies against the bacterium after exposure with this will show up as either a large number of antibodies or an increase in their level between two samples collected a few weeks apart.

Toxicology

Scientists in the field of toxicology investigate living organisms’ physiological and behavioral responses to toxic substances. Let’s say your pet’s vet detects poisoning. If that’s the case, they will take samples to get tested at a toxicology lab to find out what kind of toxin it is and how bad the damage could be. If you don’t know of a vet nearby, simply look up “emergency vet near me.” 

Conclusion

Multiple veterinary technologies are used for disease diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and disease screening in healthy animals. To quickly assess your pet’s condition and identify the best course of therapy, you can book a schedule at any diagnostic laboratory because most animal clinics is equipped with a wide range of diagnostic services.