Diagnostics

At Silver Fox Veterinary Medical Centre, we believe good medicine starts with good information. When pets are sick, uncomfortable, or simply not acting like themselves, diagnostic testing helps us look beneath the surface and understand what is really going on.

Our hospital offers a range of modern diagnostic tools to help us assess your pet’s health quickly and thoroughly. From routine screening to more advanced imaging and specialty heart evaluations, our goal is to provide answers that guide the best possible care for your pet.

In-House Laboratory

Our in-house laboratory allows us to perform many important tests right here in the clinic, often with results available the same day. This means we can make decisions more quickly when your pet needs prompt attention.

Our in-house testing may include:

• Bloodwork
• Urinalysis
• Fecal testing
• Cytology
• Pre-anesthetic screening
• Monitoring for ongoing medical conditions

Having in-house lab capabilities is especially helpful for pets who are unwell, pets undergoing surgery, and patients with chronic conditions that need regular monitoring. Faster results can mean faster treatment, and sometimes a little less waiting and worrying for everyone involved.

Reference Laboratory Services

Some tests require more specialized equipment or interpretation, which is why we also work closely with a trusted reference laboratory. This gives us access to a much broader range of diagnostic testing, including more advanced bloodwork, hormone testing, infectious disease panels, biopsies, and other specialized analyses.

Using both our in-house lab and reference lab allows us to combine speed with depth. We can often get immediate information when needed, while also sending samples out for more detailed investigation when a case calls for it.

Digital X-Ray

Our digital X-ray system helps us evaluate many parts of your pet’s body in a safe, efficient, and non-invasive way. Radiographs are an important tool for diagnosing a wide range of conditions and can provide valuable information about:

• Bones and joints
• Arthritis
• Fractures
• Chest and lungs
• Heart size and shape
• Abdomen and internal organs
• Bladder stones and other abnormalities

Digital X-rays allow us to obtain images quickly and review them promptly, which is especially valuable when a pet is painful, injured, or ill.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound gives us another way to look inside the body without surgery. Unlike X-rays, ultrasound allows us to evaluate the structure and movement of soft tissues and organs in real time.

Ultrasound can be useful for assessing:

Ultrasound is often recommended when we need a closer look at soft tissues or when X-rays alone do not give us the full picture.

Echocardiograms and Cardiology Consultations

For pets with heart murmurs, suspected heart disease, arrhythmias, or other cardiac concerns, we are pleased to offer access to a traveling board-certified cardiologist who visits our clinic.

During these appointments, pets can receive:

An echocardiogram gives detailed information about the heart’s structure and function, helping diagnose conditions that cannot be fully evaluated through a physical exam or standard X-rays alone. Having access to a board-certified cardiologist at our hospital allows your pet to receive specialized care in a familiar and convenient setting.

A Thoughtful, Individualized Approach

Diagnostic testing is not one-size-fits-all. At Silver Fox Veterinary Medical Centre, we tailor our recommendations to each patient based on their symptoms, age, history, and overall health. Sometimes a simple test gives us the answer right away. Other times, a combination of lab work and imaging helps us piece together the puzzle.

Our team is committed to explaining what we recommend, why we recommend it, and how the results help guide your pet’s care. We know diagnostics can sound intimidating, but our goal is always to make the process as clear, practical, and stress-free as possible.