At our clinic, we provide a full range of in-house laboratory services to help ensure fast and accurate diagnoses for your pet. Our capabilities include urinalysis, fecal flotation, blood work, and cytology, allowing our veterinary team to assess your pet’s overall health and detect potential issues early on. By performing these tests on-site, we can quickly identify infections, organ function abnormalities, parasites, and cellular changes—helping us develop the most effective treatment plan for your pet’s needs.

Urinalysis

Is your pet having irregular urination or sudden behavioural issues? Urinalysis is a valuable diagnostic test used to assess the health of a pet’s urinary system and overall body function. A urine sample—collected by free-catch, catheter, or cystocentesis—is analyzed for its appearance, concentration, and chemical properties, and examined under a microscope for cells, crystals, or bacteria. This test helps detect urinary tract infections, kidney disease, diabetes, liver issues, and urinary stones, often before symptoms appear, making it an important part of routine wellness and diagnostic care.

Fecal Flotation

Fecal flotation is a common laboratory test used to detect intestinal parasites in pets, such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and certain types of tapeworms. A small sample of stool is mixed with a special solution that causes parasite eggs to float to the surface, where they can be collected and examined under a microscope. This simple, non-invasive test helps identify infections that may not show obvious symptoms but can impact your pet’s health and, in some cases, pose risks to people.

Cytology

Cytology is a diagnostic technique used to examine cells collected from areas such as the ears, skin, a growth or the vaginal tract to identify infection, inflammation, or abnormal cell growth. Samples are taken using swabs, scrapings, or fine needle aspiration and then stained and examined under a microscope. This allows veterinarians to detect bacteria, yeast, parasites, or cancerous changes quickly and accurately. Cytology is a valuable, minimally invasive tool that helps guide treatment plans and monitor response to therapy for a wide range of conditions.

Bloodwork

Here at Shaunavon Animal Clinic we have the latest technology for running bloodwork on your pet. With our Machines and expertise we are able to run tests and observe microscopically for abnormalities. Bloodwork is an essential diagnostic tool that provides a detailed look at your pet’s internal health. By analyzing a small blood sample, we can assess organ function, blood cell counts, and electrolyte balance, helping to detect diseases or abnormalities early. Common tests include a Complete Blood Count (CBC) to evaluate red and white blood cells and platelets, and a biochemistry panel to check liver, kidney, and metabolic function. Bloodwork is often performed during routine wellness exams, before anesthesia, or when a pet is ill, providing vital information to guide accurate diagnosis and treatment.