Laboratory Services

Why does diagnostic testing matter?

Just like in human medicine, diagnostic tests play an important role in understanding your pet’s health. They help us identify problems early, guide treatment decisions, and provide the best possible care for your pet.

Blood Testing

Southwest Animal Hospital offers onsite routine blood testing, allowing us to receive results quickly and start treatment sooner when needed. Blood tests are quick and minimally invasive, and most pets tolerate them very well.

A small area of fur may be shaved from your pet’s neck or leg to collect the sample. Don’t worry, the fur will grow back!

We may recommend blood testing for:

• Middle-aged and senior pets, to detect early changes and monitor ongoing health

• Medication monitoring, to ensure treatments are safe and effective

• Unwell pets, to help diagnose illness and guide treatment

• Pets undergoing general anaesthetic, to help ensure medications are safe and appropriate

If a specific test can’t be performed in-house, we work closely with trusted veterinary laboratories and courier services to ensure your pet’s samples are handled promptly and accurately.

Urine Testing

Basic urine testing can be performed in-house by our experienced veterinarians. In some cases we may ask you to collect a sample at home before your appointment, or we may collect one in the clinic if needed.

Urine testing can help assess kidney function and identify issues such as urinary tract infections, bladder stones, or the presence of blood in the urine.

Cytology

Cytology involves examining cells under a microscope and is a valuable diagnostic tool. We commonly use cytology to help diagnose ear and skin infections, identify parasites, and assess lumps.