Diagnostics

Diagnostic testing enables our Chain of Lakes team to determine your pet’s health status and diagnose disease. Our state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and expertly trained veterinary professionals ensure fast, accurate results that allow us to provide top-tier care. From wellness screening tests to advanced imaging techniques, our diagnostic capabilities support a range of pet health needs.

A close-up of a brown and black tabby cat with green eyes, sitting next to a turquoise pot and some green plants. The cat looks slightly upward, as if curious about a visit from the veterinarian, its long whiskers and upright ears alert.

Trusted Diagnostics, Tailored for Your Pet

MRI and Endoscopy are available via referral to a local specialist.

A brown tabby cat with green eyes lies on its side against a white background, looking up with its front paws slightly raised as if waiting for a veterinarian's gentle care.

In-house laboratory

In-house laboratory testing is a convenient option that allows our team to diagnose many pet illnesses while you wait. Our laboratory capabilities include essential blood and urine testing, fecal parasite checks, skin and ear cytology testing, NuQ cancer screening for dogs, and more. When your pet is not feeling well, bedside test results enable us to obtain critical health information in minutes, eliminating the time lag associated with sending out tests and allowing us to formulate and begin a treatment plan without delay.

A small, light-colored dog wearing a pink harness sits on grass with a leash attached, looking at the camera with its tongue out—ready for a visit to the vet. There’s a building and tree in the background.

Reference laboratory

We partner with top-tier reference laboratories for specialized and non-urgent tests. Reference labs provide comprehensive diagnostic services, including blood panels, histopathology, cultures, and more, to help us reach an accurate diagnosis. This complements our in-house laboratory by providing a more complete picture of your pet’s health. Common tests we send out to reference laboratories include:

  • Tumor biopsies
  • Hormone testing
  • Fungal testing
  • Culture and sensitivity testing
  • Cancer screening
  • Routine wellness checks
  • PCR and infectious disease testing
  • Urinary stone analysis

A small brown and white dog with floppy ears lies on a metal surface in the vet’s clinic, its tongue out and eyes looking forward, partially covered by a white towel.

X-ray

X-rays are a vital diagnostic tool for examining your pet’s bones, joints, chest, abdomen, bladder, and other internal structures. Our hospital uses digital X-ray technology, which provides instant, high-quality images while reducing the need for retakes and minimizing radiation exposure. Our veterinarians can interpret initial X-ray studies and always send images to a radiology specialist for expert review. Reasons we may take X-rays of your pet include:

  • Suspected fracture or soft tissue injury
  • Vomiting
  • Urinary tract problems
  • Abnormal abdominal palpation
  • Heart murmur
  • Coughing or difficulty breathing

A black and white kitten with wide eyes sits indoors, its mouth open in a playful meow or yawn—perhaps reacting to seeing the vet. The softly blurred background highlights the kitten’s expressive face and whiskers.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging technique that provides detailed, three-dimensional, real-time images of your pet’s internal organs without radiation. At Chain of Lakes, we use ultrasound to evaluate abdominal organs, obtain biopsies, collect urine, and monitor hospitalized patients. Our hospital also offers echocardiography, a specialized ultrasound examination to assess heart function, through a board-certified traveling cardiologist and a traveling ultrasonographer.

Close-up of a gray tabby cat's face, focusing on its striking blue eyes and pink nose, as a veterinarian gently examines the detailed fur texture and long white whiskers.

Abdominal ultrasound

An abdominal ultrasound is a complete scan of your pet’s internal organs, including the liver, kidneys, spleen, bladder, adrenal glands, pancreas, gallbladder, and intestines. Non-invasive abdominal ultrasound is essential for diagnosing tumors, evaluating organ size and appearance, and obtaining ultrasound-guided needle biopsy samples. Our skilled veterinarians and traveling sonographers obtain detailed measurements and image snapshots during an abdominal scan, then create a report to guide us in developing a treatment plan for your furry pal’s health concerns.

A fluffy light brown puppy wearing a blue harness sits on a wooden floor, waiting calmly as a veterinarian stands nearby holding its leash.

Echocardiography

Echocardiography, or cardiac ultrasound, is a specialized imaging technique used to evaluate the heart’s structure and function. A board-certified cardiologist and traveling sonographers perform the scan and then the cardiologist makes recommendations tailored to your pet. Echocardiography services are essential to diagnose and monitor pet heart conditions, including cardiomyopathy, valve disorders, and congenital malformations. It can also help ensure adequate heart function before anesthesia in pets with a heart murmur.

A small, white puppy with big dark eyes and short fur stands indoors, wearing a red collar. The puppy looks up with an alert and curious expression, as if waiting for the veterinarian at the vet clinic.

CT

CT scans offer detailed cross-sectional images using radiation similar to X-rays, but providing far greater detail. Chain of Lakes is able to offer this service with advanced scheduling with a mobile CT practice. A ‘cat scan’ can help diagnose complex conditions, including tumors, traumatic injuries, and head and neck pathology, and plan advanced surgeries. Pets must undergo general anesthesia for CT scanning but are monitored closely by skilled and trained team members to ensure their safety.

A Siamese cat with blue eyes stands on a bed with white sheets, looking directly at the camera—its alert expression could easily capture a vet’s attention. The background is softly blurred, emphasizing the cat's face and unique charm.

Trusted Diagnostics, Tailored for Your Pet

MRI and Endoscopy are available via referral to a local specialist.

In-house laboratory

In-house laboratory testing is a convenient option that allows our team to diagnose many pet illnesses while you wait. Our laboratory capabilities include essential blood and urine testing, fecal parasite checks, skin and ear cytology testing, NuQ cancer screening for dogs, and more. When your pet is not feeling well, bedside test results enable us to obtain critical health information in minutes, eliminating the time lag associated with sending out tests and allowing us to formulate and begin a treatment plan without delay.

A small, light-colored dog wearing a pink harness sits on grass with a leash attached, looking at the camera with its tongue out—ready for a visit to the vet. There’s a building and tree in the background.

Reference laboratory

We partner with top-tier reference laboratories for specialized and non-urgent tests. Reference labs provide comprehensive diagnostic services, including blood panels, histopathology, cultures, and more, to help us reach an accurate diagnosis. This complements our in-house laboratory by providing a more complete picture of your pet’s health. Common tests we send out to reference laboratories include:

  • Tumor biopsies
  • Hormone testing
  • Fungal testing
  • Culture and sensitivity testing
  • Cancer screening
  • Routine wellness checks
  • PCR and infectious disease testing
  • Urinary stone analysis

A small brown and white dog with floppy ears lies on a metal surface in the vet’s clinic, its tongue out and eyes looking forward, partially covered by a white towel.

X-ray

X-rays are a vital diagnostic tool for examining your pet’s bones, joints, chest, abdomen, bladder, and other internal structures. Our hospital uses digital X-ray technology, which provides instant, high-quality images while reducing the need for retakes and minimizing radiation exposure. Our veterinarians can interpret initial X-ray studies and always send images to a radiology specialist for expert review. Reasons we may take X-rays of your pet include:

  • Suspected fracture or soft tissue injury
  • Vomiting
  • Urinary tract problems
  • Abnormal abdominal palpation
  • Heart murmur
  • Coughing or difficulty breathing

A black and white kitten with wide eyes sits indoors, its mouth open in a playful meow or yawn—perhaps reacting to seeing the vet. The softly blurred background highlights the kitten’s expressive face and whiskers.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging technique that provides detailed, three-dimensional, real-time images of your pet’s internal organs without radiation. At Chain of Lakes, we use ultrasound to evaluate abdominal organs, obtain biopsies, collect urine, and monitor hospitalized patients. Our hospital also offers echocardiography, a specialized ultrasound examination to assess heart function, through a board-certified traveling cardiologist and a traveling ultrasonographer.

Close-up of a gray tabby cat's face, focusing on its striking blue eyes and pink nose, as a veterinarian gently examines the detailed fur texture and long white whiskers.

Abdominal ultrasound

An abdominal ultrasound is a complete scan of your pet’s internal organs, including the liver, kidneys, spleen, bladder, adrenal glands, pancreas, gallbladder, and intestines. Non-invasive abdominal ultrasound is essential for diagnosing tumors, evaluating organ size and appearance, and obtaining ultrasound-guided needle biopsy samples. Our skilled veterinarians and traveling sonographers obtain detailed measurements and image snapshots during an abdominal scan, then create a report to guide us in developing a treatment plan for your furry pal’s health concerns.

A fluffy light brown puppy wearing a blue harness sits on a wooden floor, waiting calmly as a veterinarian stands nearby holding its leash.

Echocardiography

Echocardiography, or cardiac ultrasound, is a specialized imaging technique used to evaluate the heart’s structure and function. A board-certified cardiologist and traveling sonographers perform the scan and then the cardiologist makes recommendations tailored to your pet. Echocardiography services are essential to diagnose and monitor pet heart conditions, including cardiomyopathy, valve disorders, and congenital malformations. It can also help ensure adequate heart function before anesthesia in pets with a heart murmur.

A small, white puppy with big dark eyes and short fur stands indoors, wearing a red collar. The puppy looks up with an alert and curious expression, as if waiting for the veterinarian at the vet clinic.

CT

CT scans offer detailed cross-sectional images using radiation similar to X-rays, but providing far greater detail. Chain of Lakes is able to offer this service with advanced scheduling with a mobile CT practice. A ‘cat scan’ can help diagnose complex conditions, including tumors, traumatic injuries, and head and neck pathology, and plan advanced surgeries. Pets must undergo general anesthesia for CT scanning but are monitored closely by skilled and trained team members to ensure their safety.

A Siamese cat with blue eyes stands on a bed with white sheets, looking directly at the camera—its alert expression could easily capture a vet’s attention. The background is softly blurred, emphasizing the cat's face and unique charm.