Clinical Pathology

Clinical pathology involves the laboratory evaluation of blood, bodily fluids or body tissues in order to identify existing disease. Common laboratory tests include blood chemistries, complete blood counts, blood clotting times, urinalysis, faecal tests, biopsy examination, cultures and infectious disease testing.

Our veterinary clinic is equipped with an in-house laboratory that allows our veterinarians to quickly perform many of these diagnostic tests to achieve an accurate and rapid diagnosis. This is especially important in very ill animals and those requiring immediate or emergency treatment. Some more specialised tests may need to be performed by an external veterinary laboratory. These tests include histopathology of biopsy samples, titre testing to check immunity status after vaccination, and culture and sensitivity testing to identify bacterial or fungal infections and appropriate treatment options. 

Our in-house laboratory can provide results on the same day. Some of the in-house testing we provide includes activated partial thromboplastin clotting time (useful if the ingestion of rat bait or a snakebite is suspected), total T4 (for checking the thyroid) and complete blood counts (handy when infection is clinically indicated). Specialised testing takes longer, as the samples are sent to an external laboratory. The time-frame to obtain results from an external laboratory varies depending on the testing being performed. Results for blood tests are usually returned within 24-48 hours. Biopsy results may take two or more weeks. Your veterinarian will contact you when your pet’s laboratory results are available.