Diagnostics

Both sick and healthy pets can benefit from our diagnostics equipment. Our hospital in Vernon Hills offers a fully-outfitted in-house laboratory and digital radiography (X-ray) to assist in analyzing our patients’ internal body structures. Unlike the basic physical exam, blood work and X-rays can show us changes or abnormalities that would otherwise remain hidden. Additionally, diagnostics enables us to make more accurate diagnoses for our patients, so we can move on to finding the right treatments. 

DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY

X-ray imaging is a tried and true tool for studying the skeletal system. Our hospital has the advantage of providing digital X-ray imaging, a more accurate and efficient alternative to traditional film X-ray. With our capabilities, we can perform routine pet X-rays to examine the bones and chest cavity and detect fractures, bone deformities, foreign bodies, tumors, and more. Subsequently, we can also email X-ray images to outside specialists for a more detailed review.

IN-HOUSE LABORATORY

In addition to our X-ray equipment, Companion Animal Hospital of Vernon Hills offers a complete, well-maintained diagnostic lab. Here, our technicians and veterinarians can perform a variety of tests onsite in areas including:

• Serology (the study of blood serum)
• Blood chemistry

ULTRASOUND

Seeing under the skin–that’s what’s possible with ultrasound technology. Ultrasound is a powerful diagnostic tool that creates a real-time internal image of an animal’s body, giving us important information about the circulatory, skeletal and gastrointestinal systems.

When used in conjunction with other diagnostic tools like X-rays, ultrasounds can help identify disease, blockages, skeletal fractures, soft tissue damage and other internal injuries. Because ultrasounds don’t require radiation, they’re also used to monitor pregnancies and fetal health in breeding pets.

WHY YOUR CAT OR DOG NEEDS A DIAGNOSTIC EXAM

Using diagnostics makes it easier for our team to detect injuries, illnesses and other problems before they get worse. That’s why we recommend annual blood work for every patient. With blood work we can screen for heartworm disease, internal infections and tick-borne diseases. A lot can happen in a year, so we rely on internal exams to give us a full picture of your pet’s health.

In addition to healthy pets, pets that are sick or injured may also need to undergo testing and/or X-rays. If your pet has chronic vomiting and diarrhea, is sensitive to touch or showing signs of lameness, our tools can help us make a correct diagnosis.

Pet Diagnostics Near You

To schedule an exam for your pet, call us today at (847) 821-6189.