7372 Woida Rd N Baxter, MN 56425
In-House Laboratory
Lakeland Veterinary Hospital contains a full on-site diagnostic laboratory to provide accurate and timely results for blood work and lab samples. For rare tests, samples may need to be analyzed in a separate reference laboratory.
Common Laboratory Tests
Some of the common tests which we regularly run in our laboratory include:
- Complete Blood Count measures the levels of different red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin, and platelets in a blood sample. This measurement can diagnose conditions such as anemia, leukemia, and infection, and provide a comprehensive picture of overall health.
- Blood chemistry panel is a series of tests that are ordered in conjunction with each other to pinpoint a specific organ or diagnostic question.
- Thyroid tests measure the function of the thyroid gland, which regulates metabolism. Thyroid disorders can be common, particularly among senior pets. Disorders of the thyroid can cause a pet to be overweight, underweight, restless, lethargic, or otherwise wreak havoc on the balance of energy in the body.
- Urinalysis is a test on a urine sample that provides insight into overall health, and particularly the function of the kidneys. Urinalysis is a routine test for senior pets and can diagnose conditions such as diabetes, kidney stones, urinary tract infections, and more.
- Electrolytes testing measures the levels of different electrolytes in the body. Electrolytes are vital minerals such as sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphate. If electrolytes levels are low, this can signal dehydration, or over-hydration, which can further be indicative of kidney or liver problems.
Digital X-Ray
From a diagnostic perspective, x-rays serve as an invaluable role in veterinary medicine. They provide a view of the heart, lungs, and musculoskeletal system of the animal and visualize any deformities or abnormalities.
In the past, a diagnostic issue that may have required surgery to understand, now can be addressed with the noninvasive means of an x-ray.
Lakeland Veterinary Hospital offers some of the most technologically advanced digital x-ray machines to examine clients, instead of older versions or film x-ray. X-ray radiology has made many advances in the past few decades, and is continually improving to improve safety and comfort for the animals in our care. Some of the benefits of the latest digital x-rays we employ include,
- Less exposure to radiation for the patient
- Shorter exam times
- Greater detail and precision in the images
- Easy to electronically store and send images to specialists
The procedure for obtaining an x-ray image is simple and pain-free for the pet. We simply lay them down on the x-ray table with the help of a certified technician to keep them from moving using a controlled but gentle technique, and take a picture of the area of concern with our x-ray machine. Because the x-ray machine captures a different spectrum of light than the visible spectrum of our human eyes, the resulting image will depict the musculoskeletal system of the patient.
For complex or rare conditions, we will send the resulting images to a radiologist or specialist for help with diagnosis.
Ultrasound
Ultrasounds are a form of radiology that capture images of soft tissues and fluid-filled structures using sound waves. Organs such as the liver, gallbladder, kidneys, adrenal glands, and pancreas can all be readily viewed using ultrasounds. Ultrasounds are often used in conjunction with x-rays to provide a complete picture of the tissues and the musculoskeletal system.
Ultrasounds can provide a real-time 3D video of a structure, so the doctor can visualize the way the system is working in the body. Similar to x-ray radiology, ultrasounds are noninvasive and pain-free for the patient. The pet is simply held still and a cooling gel is applied to the area of investigation. The veterinarian then runs the ultrasound sensor across the area and an image is projected onto a monitor in the exam room. The duration of the ultrasound session is usually short, only in rare cases is it needed for the pet to be sedated for the procedure.
Ultrasounds are commonly used to diagnose pregnancy, abnormalities of the heart and lungs, pancreatitis, bladder stones, masses, and other causes of disease. They can also help to guide biopsies and injections.
Allergy & Dermatology Testing
Dermatology is the study and treatment of conditions that affect the hair, skin, and nails. Common signs that your pet may be suffering from a skin condition (generally referred to as dermatitis) may include the following:
- Constant scratching or biting of the skin
- Excessively licking the skin, often the paws
- Red or watery eyes
- Cracked or flaky skin
- Red or irritated spots on the skin
- Oozing or pus-filled blisters on the skin
- Hair loss
- Hot spots
- Lumps or bumps
- Discoloration or any new markings
Dermatitis can have many causes. The first step is noticing that there is a problem and contacting your veterinarian as soon as possible. Once the veterinarian is able to help, they will likely begin by performing a physical examination of the issue. Some tests such as a skin scraping, biopsy, or allergy test may be called for to diagnose the condition.
One of the most common reasons why pets exhibit skin conditions is allergies. Just like humans, pets can be allergic to all manner of irritants in their environment. Some of the most common allergens that affect pets include the following:
- Pollen
- Grasses or weeds
- Household cleaning products
- Foods such as wheat or protein sources
- Perfumes
- Detergents
As you can see, some of these allergens can be seasonal, or can be avoided once they are known.
Once a diagnosis is reached, treatment for allergies or other dermatological conditions such as skin cancer, parasitic infections, autoimmune disorders, and and fungal infections can take many different forms. The treatment could be a topical or oral medication, a lifestyle change, or a therapeutic technique.
