Laboratory Services
At Animal Health Care Denver, we have a complete, modern veterinary laboratory. We utilize our in-house laboratory to conduct smaller, routine tests where we are able to get the results in a much shorter time frame than if we had to send blood work and other samples to a third party lab. We send our more complex diagnostic tests to Antech Diagnostics, who can provide us with timely and accurate testing when your pet is experiencing a more unique issue.
One of the most important elements of lab work is ensuring that your pet is comfortable and at-ease throughout the process. Our entire team is deeply trained on how to handle pets in a way that helps them remain calm and comfortable during lab work. We recognize that this process can be new and confusing for your pet, so we make every effort to reduce their stress level throughout the event.
X-Rays
Sometimes, an external exam of your pet doesn’t give us all the information we need to make a diagnosis or learn about a potential concern. That’s where diagnostic imaging comes in, allowing us to see inside your pet’s body and identify issues.
X-rays are one of the most common forms of diagnostic imaging. Completely safe and non-invasive, x-rays allow us to get a picture of your pet’s bones, organs, and internal systems to see whether things are functioning properly and where there may be an issue. Hearts, livers, lungs, kidney, bladders, and spinal cords can all be examined with the use of x-rays.
X-rays for pets are just like x-rays conducted on humans— they’re perfectly safe as the machine emits very little radiation.
Ultrasound
Where x-rays give us a static image of the inside of your pet’s body, ultrasounds can give us a live, real-time image of your pet’s abdominal and chest area as it functions. We can see their heart beat, their lungs inflate and deflate, and more. Why is this important? Because it allows us to see whether everything is working the way it should be or whether there are anomalies that need to be addressed.
Our ultrasound technology helps our veterinarians gather valuable insight into your pet’s health right here in our clinic. When more advanced imaging or specialist interpretation is needed, we can easily coordinate a referral to ensure your pet receives the most comprehensive care possible.
Like x-rays, ultrasounds are completely painless and noninvasive. We simply apply a cool gel to your pet’s skin in the area where the ultrasound will be conducted, then slide a smooth probe across the area which sends an image to a screen where we can monitor what’s going on inside. It’s just like common pregnancy ultrasounds given to expectant mothers.
3-D Imaging
We are proud to offer a new 3-D imaging modality know as Computer Tomography (CAT Scan) at Animal Health Care Denver. Our new piece of equipment, the Vimago 3D Computer Tomography Scanner, provides our doctors with more precise data compared to traditional 2-D x-rays. CT Scanning has proven to be clinically superior to radiographs and has decreased the need for emergency surgery in many cases.
Our Vimago scanner offers a vast array of applications and should be the primary imaging modality for skulls, foreign bodies, thoraxes, abdomens, orthopedics, spines, and diagnostic fluoroscopies. Learn more about this service and equipment below.
New 3-D Imaging Technology
Animal Health Care Denver is excited to offer a new diagnostic imaging tool with our new Vimago Pico! Computed Tomography, also known as a CAT scan, produces a 3-D image that provides our doctors with far more precise diagnostic data than a standard x-ray. We are pleased our patients can receive this specialty service at reasonable general practice fees. If you have any questions or want to reach out to our office about CT Scanning, please call us at 303-288-6800.
Allergy Treatments
Allergies in pets are extremely common, and they can affect everything from their breathing to their skin. No one wants to see their pet experience the discomfort of allergies, with all of their itching and rashes making your pet miserable.
That’s where we come in. If your pet seems to be suffering from allergic reactions, bring them in and we can help determine the source of the allergic reaction and what we can do to reduce or eliminate it. In some cases, this simply requires making a lifestyle change— a change of diet, for example.
In other cases, we may prescribe medication designed to help alleviate allergy symptoms and get your pet back to feeling in tip-top shape.
ECG
An electrocardiogram records signals in the heart. It can be used to quickly identify heart problems and monitor the overall health of your pet’s heart.
