Services

Diagnostic Testing & Radiology

Small Door’s lab is equipped for all the diagnostic tests your pet needs to stay healthy, and to help them get better sooner when they’re sick. We’re able to run tests quickly in-house in situations where a rapid diagnosis is required.

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Why do we do diagnostic tests?

Regular diagnostic screening is a great, proactive way to ensure your pet’s long-term health. We recommend annual testing as part of your dog or cat’s wellness visits, to catch any issues before they become more serious. Diagnostic tests are also vital tools in the treatment of health issues when your pet is sick.

Diagnostic Tests

We can run all the routine diagnostic tests your cat or dog needs, including bloodwork, urinalysis, fecal testing, parasite tests and cytology. As pets are prone to hide illness and pain, regular testing gives you peace of mind that your pet is healthy and free from any underlying issues. Diagnostic tests also help doctors to diagnose any illnesses quickly and easily, so we can get your pet the right treatment early on.

• Bloodwork: Blood tests often take the form of a Complete Blood Count (CBC), which measures the number of red and white blood cells and platelets, or a Blood Chemistry panel, which tests organ function, such as the kidneys and liver. CBCs can detect infections, anemia, dehydration, blood disorders and the immune system response. Blood Chemistries show if any enzymes, electrolytes, minerals and hormone levels are too low or too high, often indicating a problem in the way organs are functioning. Bloodwork is also important to determine whether your pet is healthy enough and ready to undergo anesthesia.

• Fecal testing: Fecal testing is typically used to determine whether your pet is suffering from any internal parasites, such as worms or giardia. Sometimes, your cat or dog may not display any symptoms initially, but it’s important to treat pets as soon as possible to rid them of any parasites, before their long-term health and development is affected, and to stop them transmitting the parasites to any other pets or family members. The fecal sample will also be checked for color, consistency, as well as the presence of blood or mucus.

• Urinalysis: Urine samples are vital tool in the diagnosis of a number of conditions, including urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney or bladder diseases, and diabetes, amongst others. Urinary issues can be serious, but are thankfully often easily treated once diagnosed.

• Tick-borne and Heartworm testing: We recommend annual tick-borne and heartworm testing in addition to monthly preventatives. While preventatives are the best line of defense, they are not always foolproof, and as tick-borne diseases and heartworm may not show symptoms for months after infection, it’s important to test early and often to ensure your pet gets the treatment they need for these serious conditions.

• Cytology: Cytology refers to the analysis of cells. It may include looking at discharge or cellular debris to diagnose an infection (such as an ear or skin infection). A biopsy (removing a very small part of a lump/mass) can also evaluate any lumps or masses to look for cancerous cells.

Radiology

Our in-house laboratory boasts digital x-ray and ultrasound machines for advanced imaging. Radiology is crucial to help our doctors understand what’s going on inside your pet’s body – for example determining whether your pet has a broken bone, checking on puppies or kittens in a pregnant pet, or understanding the impact of an illness on your pet’s internal organs.

• X-rays: X-rays use a low, safe dose of radiation to see inside your pet’s body. They may be used to diagnose a foreign body, intestinal blockage, bladder stones, fractures, bone deformities or disorders, tumors, and the number of puppies or kittens in a pregnant pet (important to know in case one gets stuck and needs help getting out!) The size and shape of internal organs can also help to diagnose certain diseases. Your pet may or may not have to be sedated for an x-ray; this depends on the area being x-rayed, and whether your pet is able to lay still.

• Ultrasounds: Like x-ray, ultrasound also allows veterinarians to see inside a pet’s body, but in a different way. They use a beam of high-frequency sound waves (ultrasonic waves) and create a picture by recording the reflections of these waves. They are particularly useful for examining internal organs. Ultrasounds do not use any radiation, and your pet will not usually require anesthesia. They may, however, need a small amount of fur shaved to ensure a clear picture and diagnosis.

• Echocardiograms: An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart. They are often recommended if abnormal heart sounds have been detected during your pet's regular wellness exam. Our board-certified cardiologist visits our New York locations on specific days of the week. This procedure can help determine if there are any structural problems with your pet's heart. Following this, a treatment plan and therapeutic recommendations can be made. If this is something you would like performed at Small Door, our team can assist you with scheduling.

How to collect a fecal sample

For fecal testing, please bring a sample to your appointment if possible. Here’s how you can easily do it at home:

• Collect a fresh sample, ideally within 12 hours of your appointment, and store it in the fridge (not the freezer) until your visit.

• Use a clean tool like a plastic bag or gloves to pick it up, avoiding dirt, grass, or litter as much as possible. You can bring the sample in the bag or any container.

• We only need a small amount (about the size of a quarter), but more is fine!

How to collect a urine sample

For urinalysis, we’ll provide everything you need for collection during your appointment, including gloves, a tray, non-absorbent litter (for cats), a syringe, and a sample cup.

For dogs: Please collect your dog’s first morning urination on the day or within 6 hours of their appointment. Wear the gloves provided and place the tray under your dog as they start to urinate. Transfer or pour the urine into the sample cup using the syringe if needed and refrigerate until your appointment. 

For cats: Clean your cat’s litter box with soap and water, then fill it with the provided non-absorbent litter. Once your cat urinates, use the gloves and syringe to transfer the urine to the sample cup. Refrigerate and return the sample within 6 hours of collection.

In general, please aim for 5 mL of urine (about a teaspoon), with a minimum of 1 mL. If submitting as part of a blood work panel, submit the sample within 3 weeks of the blood draw to ensure lab cost coverage. 

Some pets may be anxious about urine collection. If you’re unable to get a sample, we can perform a cystocentesis, a quick procedure that uses a sterile needle to collect urine directly from the bladder. This only takes a few minutes!