Veterinary Lab & Diagnostics
On-Site Technology & Testing
At Barrhaven Veterinary Hospital, our in-house veterinary diagnostic laboratory is fully equipped with technology that helps us pinpoint the precise cause of your pet's symptoms quickly.
Our veterinary hospital is equipped with an in-house laboratory and diagnostic tools, allowing us to assess your pet’s health in real-time and to provide timely, accurate results for bloodwork, urinalysis, and radiographs (X-rays).
These resources are vital for urgent sick patient care and pre-operative assessments, enabling us to quickly identify health concerns and develop tailored treatment plans. Our veterinarians thoroughly review and evaluate each result to ensure your pet receives the most informed care.
For more specialized testing or less urgent cases—such as managing chronic illness or routine monitoring of conditions like tick-borne disease, heartworm disease, kidney issues, and thyroid disorders - we work closely with a trusted veterinary reference laboratory. This partnership provides timely results and access to a full range of specialized tests, ensuring ongoing and comprehensive care for your pet.
For more advanced imaging, we also arrange for ultrasounds and echocardiograms to be performed right here in our hospital by a traveling veterinary sonographer.
Diagnostic Services for Cats & Dogs
At Barrhaven Veterinary Hospital, we have the technology and lab tests necessary to help diagnose and treat a variety of issues in dogs and cats.
Technology
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Radiography (X-rays)
Radiography is a safe, painless and noninvasive diagnostic imaging technique. The level of radiation required to perform radiography is so low that 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 tumours.
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Digital Dental X-rays
If your cat or dog suffers from periodontal disease (gum disease), much of this damage occurs below the gum line, which can't be easily seen. Digital X-rays allow our team to examine the 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.
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Ultrasound
Ultrasound imaging exposes part of the body to high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the internal tissues and organs. Because we capture ultrasound images in real-time, we can see the structure and movement of the organs and blood flowing through the blood vessels.
Lab Testing
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Bloodwork
At our veterinary lab in Ottawa, we can run several common and targeted blood tests to help us determine your pet's health and diagnose illness.
Our most common veterinary blood tests are complete blood count (CBC), white blood count, hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), hematocrit, platelets, eosinophils, and blood serum profile.
Our veterinary team also knows that senior pets age quickly and have different medical needs. Because of this, we will perform comprehensive senior pet bloodwork. This can include a CBC, blood serum profile, thyroid, and electrolyte testing.
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Urinalysis
Urinalysis is a key diagnostic test that provides your veterinarian 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. Still, it can also help detect issues in other organ systems and is important for diagnosing metabolic diseases such as diabetes.
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Fecal Exam with Giardia Antigen
A fecal exam is used to identify and treat any gastrointestinal infections that could be compromising your pet's health and even the health of your family. Fecals allow your veterinarian to determine if your pet has intestinal parasites such as roundworms or hookworms.
In combination with your pet's annual fecal test, our veterinary team will also perform a test to check for giardia antigens which indicate that your pet has contracted giardia which can be life-threatening if left untreated.
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Heartworm & Tick-Borne Disease Test
This test is an easy, efficient way for your veterinarian to scan your dog's blood and detect potential infections caused by insects such as ticks and mosquitos.
This works by measuring the heartworm antigen, Lyme (borrelia) disease antibody, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma antibodies in just 10 minutes. This test is highly accurate, making it an ideal way to monitor your dog's health and protect them from serious infections caused by heartworms and ticks.
In-House Veterinary Pharmacy
Once the cause of your cat or dog's condition has been diagnosed, your veterinarian can prescribe and supply the medications to help resolve or manage your pet's issue.
Let us know when it's time to renew your pet's prescription. We can have your pet's medicine ready and waiting when you come in.
On-Site Pet Health Supplies
At Barrhaven Veterinary Hospital, we are committed to providing pet parents with the best diet and healthcare products to treat their furry friend's medical issues and maintain their health.
Our veterinary hospital is well-stocked with prescription diets, parasite prevention products, medications and more, allowing our team to provide you with the products your furry friend needs while in our care.
New Patients Welcome
Our veterinary team would love to get to know your dog or cat and provide them with high-quality veterinary care. Contact us today to book an appointment for your companion.