Educational Articles
-
Lameness in your pet can be due to many possible causes. Examination may help determine the cause, but further testing may include radiographs, blood tests, or joint aspirations to help accurately determine the cause. Treatment and prognosis for the lameness will depend on the underlying cause.
-
There are several tests for diagnosing leptospirosis, but the two most common ones are the DNA-PCR test and the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Infection can be diagnosed with either test, but each has weaknesses, and in some situations, both tests may be needed to reach a diagnosis.
-
Initial screening tests for liver disease include a complete blood count (CBC), biochemistry panel, and urinalysis. Bile acid testing can be used to detect problems in liver function. More advanced diagnostics to determine the cause of liver disease include abdominal ultrasound, fine needle aspiration of the liver, or liver biopsy. Testing for various infectious diseases, including leptospirosis, may also be indicated.
-
Hypoglycemia can be caused by many different things including liver failure, sepsis, Addison's disease, and overdose of insulin in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. A tumor of the pancreas called an insulinoma can also cause low blood glucose due to excessive production of insulin. After detecting hypoglycemia on a blood sample, determining the cause includes a full history, physical exam, CBC, biochemistry profile, and urinalysis. More advanced testing such as imaging, biopsy, or ACTH stimulation testing may be recommended.
-
This handout discusses Lyme disease in dogs, primarily the issue of methods of testing for the disease.
-
In pets, pallor is usually detected as a loss of color from the gums and inner eyelids and can be a sign of anemia or poor circulation. A pet’s history of illness and a complete physical examination are important in determining the cause of the pallor. However, your veterinarian may also recommend doing screening tests such as a complete blood count, serum biochemistry and urinalysis. Additional tests may also be needed.
-
The pancreas is an abdominal organ responsible for regulating blood glucose (endocrine function) and releasing enzymes that aid in digestion (exocrine function). Problems with the pancreas can cause a variety of conditions, discussed here. Clinical signs and tests are outlined.
-
Finding the cause of a pet's seizures can be difficult. Screening usually starts with a complete history and physical examination, followed by blood and urine tests to look for underlying diseases that can cause seizures. If the cause still cannot be identified, it is possible that they originate within the brain itself and further neurologic testing might be advised.
-
Sneezing and nasal discharge can occur for many different reasons, including infection, allergy, foreign body, and tumors. A thorough history and physical exam is the first step in diagnosing the cause of sneezing/nasal discharge. Initial screening tests are outlined, including CBC, biochemistry profile, urinalysis, and coagulation testing. Specific tests and more advanced diagnostics are also summarized.
-
Unexplained bleeding is worrisome because it suggests a problem with the body’s blood clotting or coagulation system. Disorders of the coagulation system can arise for many reasons, including shortages of coagulation factors (clotting proteins), a shortage of platelets (a type of blood cell), defective platelets, and serious systemic disease affecting the whole body.
