Veterinary Diagnostics & Lab in Crystal Lake
Our Internal Medicine team is highly trained to treat challenging or ongoing illnesses affecting pets’ internal organs and bodily systems. If your veterinarian has been attempting to diagnose your pet and is unable to determine which condition they are being affected by or treatment is not bringing about the desired results they may refer you to our IM department.
We offer a wealth of knowledge and experience for the treatment of a variety of diseases impacting the endocrine, gastrointestinal, respiratory, urinary, and hematologic systems, as well as providing care for patients requiring emergency and intensive or critical care.
At Companion Animal Specialty and Emergency Hospital, we have advanced tools to help accurately diagnose your pet's medical issues. We offer a variety of services, from digital radiology to ultrasound and cold lasers as well as diagnostic imaging capabilities allowing us to efficiently produce accurate diagnostic information about your pet's condition and provide immediate treatment options.
In-House Lab & Veterinary Pharmacy in Crystal Lake
We perform comprehensive diagnostic testing and provide results quickly using our in-house laboratory allowing us to diagnose and treat your pet accurately and efficiently.
Our on-site pet pharmacy in Crystal Lake is fully stocked with a range of prescription diets and medications for quick access while we care for your pet.
Diagnostic Tests
We can perform a variety of diagnostic tests using our in-house lab, including:
- Rhinoscopy
- Bloodwork
- Urinalysis
- Fecal Exams
- Bone Marrow Biopsy
- Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration or biopsy
- CSF and joint tap
- Cystoscopy/Vaginoscopy
- Bronchoscopy
- GI Endoscopy – upper and Lower
- PEG tube placement
- Endoscopic foreign body retrieval
Diagnostic Imaging
Using our in-house veterinary diagnostics lab our veterinary team is proud to offer advanced diagnostic testing to allow our vets to provide an accurate diagnosis of any condition your pet may be experiencing.
- Radiography (Digital X-rays)
Using a radiograph (digital x-ray), our vets can examine your pet's internal systems to reveal concerns that might go unnoticed otherwise.
Radiography is safe, painless, and non-invasive. This diagnostic tool uses only low levels of radiation making it a safe and common diagnostic tool. Because of the level of radiation exposure required for radiography, even pregnant females and very young pets can undergo this procedure.
Radiographs allow our veterinarians to evaluate bones and organs and diagnose conditions including broken bones, chronic arthritis, bladder stones, spinal cord diseases, and some tumors.
- Ultrasound
Ultrasound imaging utilizes high-frequency sound waves on certain parts of the body to produce internal images that can be used to diagnose your pet.
Because we can capture ultrasound images in real-time, it provides us with the opportunity to see the structure and movement of your pet's internal organs, as well as blood flowing through the blood vessels.
Our veterinary team is proud to have this technology available in our in-house lab meaning that your dog or cat's condition can be diagnosed quickly and treatment can start sooner.
- Endoscopy
If your pet is required to undergo endoscopy, it consists of a very tiny camera with a light attached to the end of a flexible tube.
These minimally invasive endoscopes are long, thin tubes that can be inserted into the openings of the body such as the mouth or anus allowing our vets to observe an internal organ or tissue in great detail.
- CT Scans
CT (computed tomography) Scans are a combination of both X-Ray images and computer technology which we use to help us diagnose a variety of diseases and disorders in your pet's body. These have become an essential imaging tool that is commonly used in veterinary medicine.
- ECG / EKG
If our veterinary team determines that your pet is at risk or may potentially be experiencing a heart condition they may suggest that your pet has chest X-Rays and/or an electrocardiogram (ECG / EKG) performed.
This procedure can be completed easily and quickly. It reveals data that may be integral to your pet's diagnosis. If needed a cardiac ultrasound may be requested to identify disorders in the chambers of the heart