Answers Start With a Closer Look
When a physical exam doesn’t tell the whole story, diagnostics can help us look deeper. Ocean Animal Hospital offers pet diagnostics and imaging in Cape Canaveral, including laboratory testing, digital radiology, and ultrasound to help investigate illness, injury, and changes in your pet’s health.
Getting More Information, Not Just More Tests
Good diagnostics are about answering the right questions. Depending on what brings your pet in, our veterinary team may recommend testing to evaluate organ function, look for infection, investigate pain, or better understand symptoms that aren’t obvious from the outside.
Our in-house laboratory allows us to perform a wide range of testing, including:
- Complete blood counts and blood chemistry
- Urinalysis
- Fecal examinations
- Heartworm testing
- Viral testing
- Skin and ear cytology
- Thyroid and other specialized testing
Having laboratory capabilities in the hospital can help us gather useful information efficiently, whether we’re evaluating a sick pet, preparing for a procedure, or monitoring an ongoing condition.
Digital X-Rays
Digital radiology gives us detailed images of structures inside the body without surgery. X-rays can be useful when evaluating bones and joints as well as areas of the chest and abdomen.
Because the images are digital, they’re available quickly and can help guide the next step in your pet’s care. Depending on the concern, X-rays may be recommended during an urgent care visit, before surgery, or as part of a broader diagnostic workup.
Ultrasound Imaging
Ultrasound uses sound waves to create real-time images of internal structures and soft tissues. At Ocean Animal Hospital, ultrasound may be used to evaluate abdominal organs and other soft tissues, assist with pregnancy evaluation, and support the diagnosis of certain medical conditions. Depending on your pet’s needs, additional or specialized imaging may be recommended.
Most ultrasound examinations don’t require anesthesia. In some cases, mild sedation may be needed to help a nervous pet remain still, and the fur over the area being examined may need to be clipped so the probe can make proper contact with the skin.
Clearer Answers, Clearer Conversations
Testing is only useful when you understand what the results mean. We’ll walk you through what we find, explain whether additional evaluation is needed, and discuss how the information shapes your pet’s treatment plan.
If your pet needs diagnostic testing or medical imaging, call Ocean Animal Hospital at (321) 406-1618 to schedule an appointment.