Ventura 2301 South Victoria Ave Ventura, CA 93003 805.642.8562 Thousand Oaks 2967 N. Moorpark Road Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 805.492.2436 Home Locations Hospital Services Meet Our Doctors Meet Our Staff The Crowe's Nest See Our Hospitals Employment Info Find a Vet Pet Health Library Links Contact Us Diagnostics Our modern and fully equipped in house laboratory gives us instant access to important information regarding your pet’s condition. The following are just a few of the in house tests we can perform when needed: Blood chemistries Complete blood counts Blood clotting ability Blood smears Platelet estimates and counts Fecal flotation Fecal cytology Microscopic identification of fungi, bacteria, yeast, etc Cytology of lumps, bumps and cancers Skin scraping for parasitic identification Ear cytology Hospital Services Include: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Critical Care/Emergency Medicine/Trauma Therapy Antivenin Therapy for Rattlesnake Bites Diagnostics Surgery Treatment for Poisoning In addition to our in house lab, we have access to any test needed through our network of referral laboratories. Diagnostic Imaging Our diagnostic imaging capabilities provide a non-invasive way to visualize the internal organs and bones of your pet using x-rays or ultrasound. Conditions such as fractured bones, hip dysplasia, internal organ enlargement or changes, and foreign body ingestion may be diagnosed with our high quality digital radiographs. We also have the capability to send these images electronically to board certified specialists or radiologists anywhere in the country for a consultation and review. Ultrasound allows us to evaluate the internal structure of organs such as liver, kidneys, heart and bladder. In some situations, we may be able to avoid surgery by using ultrasound to guide needle biopsies of internal organs. Endoscopy The best and least invasive way to diagnose disease affecting the internal lining of some areas of the intestines is with endoscopy. Without the aid of an endoscope, such problems can only be diagnosed with an exploratory abdominal surgery and full thickness intestinal biopsy. Through the endoscope, our veterinarians can do a visual exam of the esophagus, stomach, upper small intestine, and colon. They can take small tissue samples which do not require sutures and heal quickly with no after care. Endoscopy can also be used to visualize and obtain samples from the trachea and bronchial passages (upper portion of the lungs) in medium to large size dogs. In some cases, foreign bodies which have been inhaled or ingested may also be removed with the endoscope, eliminating the need for surgery. Electrocardiography (ECG or EKG) Our veterinarians can evaluate your pet’s heart in several ways. One important indicator of heart function is to measure the heart’s electrical activity with an electrocardiogram. We can submit the results electronically to board certified specialists known as cardiologists if there is any question about your pet’s heart function, recommended medication, etc. Doppler Blood Pressure Just as in human medicine, blood pressure is a very important parameter to measure and monitor in your companion. However, blood pressure measurements are more difficult to obtain in pets than in people. At the Pet Emergency Clinics we use a Doppler unit. This unit is the most accurate non-invasive method to obtain blood pressure in animals. It is particularly important to monitor blood pressure in pets with diseases like kidney disease, heart disease, feline thyroid disease, and of course in shock conditions after a trauma. Many of these pets will require blood pressure management to prevent further organ damage caused by high blood pressures. Tonometry Glaucoma in animals is a serious and very painful disease of the eye just as it is in humans. The accurate diagnosis of glaucoma is difficult without specialized equipment. At the Pet Emergency Clinics, we use a tonometer called a Tonopen to quickly and accurately assess whether your pet’s intra-ocular pressures are too high. This is the primary indicator of glaucoma. A drop of topical anesthetic is applied to the surface of the eye and the tonopen is gently tapped against the corneal surface several times. The procedure takes only seconds to perform and causes no discomfort to the patient. Additional diagnostic tests such as CT scans, myelograms, and MRIs are available to our patients when needed through our referral network with local board certified specialists.