Veterinary Technology in Santa Clarita
Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in Santa Clarita
At Sweetwater Veterinary Clinic, we are equipped with 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 imaging capabilities, we can efficiently produce accurate diagnostic information about your pet's condition and provide immediate treatment options.
Equine Mobile Veterinary Units
Our team is supported by two state-of-the-art mobile veterinary units. Each unit carries a range of equipment and supplies that enable us to provide diagnostic services and treatments on location including x-ray, ultrasound analysis, and specialty farrier services.
These mobile units also feature heat and refrigeration to provide safe transport for medicines, vaccines, and tissue and serum samples that require refrigeration.
In-House Vet Lab & Veterinary Pharmacy in Santa Clarita
We perform tests efficiently and get results quickly in our in-house veterinary diagnostic laboratory. Our in-house lab allows us to provide you with an accurate diagnosis of your pet's health issue quickly so that your animal's treatment can begin sooner.
Our pet pharmacy in Santa Clarita is well stocked with a range of prescription diets and medications, providing us with quick access to any medications your animal may need while in our care.
Our Diagnostic Services in Santa Clarita
With our in-house veterinary diagnostics lab we are pleased to offer advanced diagnostic testing and treatments to Santa Clarita pets.
- 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.
- Ultrasound
The use of diagnostic imaging allows our team of veterinary professionals to create extremely detailed images of your pet's internal structures.
With ultrasound imaging, we expose part of the body to high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the inside of the body.
Because we capture ultrasound images in real-time, we can see the structure and movement of your pet's internal organs, as well as blood flowing through the blood vessels.
Having this valuable technology available to our vets in our in-house lab means that your dog or cat's condition can be diagnosed quickly and treatment can start sooner.
- Bloodwork
At our vet lab in Santa Clarita we are able to run a number of common and specialized blood tests to determine the health of your animal 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.
- Urinalysis
Urinalysis is a key diagnostic test that provides your vet with essential insights into the physical and chemical properties of your pet's urine.
Urinalysis is primarily used to assess the health of your animal's kidneys and urinary tract system, but it can also be helpful in detecting issues in other organ systems and is important for diagnosing metabolic diseases such as diabetes.
This is a valuable diagnostic test for both healthy and sick animals and should be included in any comprehensive evaluation of your pet's overall health.
- Fecal Exams
A fecal exam is the microscopic examination of your pet's feces, which can be done at our in-house vet lab in Santa Clarita.
The ultimate goal of a fecal exam is to identify and treat any GI infections that could be compromising your pet's health and even the health of your family. Fecals allow your vet to determine if your pet has intestinal parasites such as roundworms or hookworms.
Parasites can make pets uncomfortable, irritable, and lead to more serious conditions. Some can even be transmitted to humans.
Since these parasites live in your pet’s gastrointestinal tract, they are often hidden from view. The only way to detect them is with a fecal exam.
Annual fecal examines should be a vital part of every pet's routine wellness exam.
- Digital Dental X-Rays
If your cat or dog is suffering periodontal disease, much of this damage occurs below the gum line where it can't be easily seen. Digital dental X-Rays help our veterinarians assess your pet's oral health.
Digital X-Rays are safer for your pet. They allow our team of veterinary professionals to examine roots, bones and internal anatomy of your cat or dog's teeth.
With digital X-Rays, the risk of radiation exposure for your pet is significantly lower than with traditional X-Ray technology. We are able to see below the surface of your pet's gum line to fully evaluate each tooth.
This technology allows your Santa Clarita vet to see results immediately, then project them onto a computer screen to review.
- ECG / EKG
If your veterinarian performs a physical examination and suspects your pet may have a heart disorder, we usually take chest X-Rays and an electrocardiogram (ECG / EKG).
This procedure can be completed easily and quickly. It reveals data that may be integral to your pet's diagnosis. In other cases, a cardiac ultrasound may be required to identify disorders in the chambers of the heart.
- Cold Laser Therapy
During pet laser therapy, the technician concentrates light over affected tissue for periods ranging from 8 to 30 minutes, depending on the issue being treated.
Laser therapy works by emitting light that stimulates cells in a process called photo-biotherapy. Photo-biotherapy encourages cell metabolism and protein synthesis, improving cell strength.
This drug-free and non-invasive treatment works to stimulate cells, reducing pain signals to nerves, increasing blood circulation, and releasing endorphins.
New Patients Welcome
Sweetwater Veterinary Clinic is accepting new patients! Our friendly and experienced vets are passionate about the health of Santa Clarita companion animals and horses. Get in touch today to book your four-legged friend's first appointment.