Veterinary Technology

Our Diagnostic Services 

Using the in-house veterinary diagnostic technology in our lab, we can conduct testing that will allow our vets to provide an accurate diagnosis of your pet's medical issues.

• Radiography (Digital X-rays)

  Using a radiograph (digital x-ray), we can examine your pet's internal systems to reveal information that may be invisible from the outside. 

  Radiography is a safe, painless diagnostic procedure. Since it only uses very low doses of radiation, even pregnant female pets and very young pets can undergo this procedure. 

  Radiographs can be used to evaluate bones and organs, and diagnose conditions including broken bones, chronic arthritis, bladder stones, spinal cord diseases, and some tumors. 

• Ultrasound

  The use of diagnostic imaging allows our team of veterinary professionals to create extremely detailed images of your pet's internal structures.

  Using ultrasound imaging, we expose part of your pet's body to high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the inside of your pet's body. 

  Because we capture ultrasound images in real-time, we can see the structure and movement of your pet's internal organs, as well as blood flowing through the blood vessels.

  Having this valuable technology available to our vets in our in-house lab means that your dog or cat's condition can be diagnosed quickly and treatment can start sooner. 

• Surgical Lasers

  Summerville Animal Hospital is proud to be able to offer our patients surgical lasers as a treatment option during surgical procedures at our facility.

  The benefits of laser surgery are many, but the most notable is that it decreases pain. Not only does this make for an easier recovery time, but there will also likely be less scarring than with traditional stainless steel scalpels.

  Nearly any soft tissue procedure may be performed using surgical lasers. Routine procedures like spays and neuters are common as well as the removal of masses from the skin or eyelids. Our vets will be sure to explain whether or not they recommend laser surgery as a treatment option for your pet.

• Bloodwork

  At our vet lab serving our Phenix City clients, we can run a number of both common and specialized blood tests on pets to determine and monitor their health as well as diagnose illnesses. 

  Some of the most common veterinary blood tests we do are CBC (complete blood count), white blood count, hemoglobin and MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration), hematocrit, platelets, eosinophils, and blood serum profile. 

• Urinalysis

  Urinalysis is a critical diagnostic test used to provide us with insights into the physical and chemical properties of your pet's urine. 

  Urinalysis is primarily used to assess the health of your animal's kidneys and urinary tract system, but it can also help detect issues in other organ systems and is important for diagnosing metabolic diseases such as diabetes.

  This is a valuable diagnostic test for both healthy and sick animals and should be included in any comprehensive evaluation of your pet's overall health.

• Fecal Exams

  A fecal exam is the microscopic examination of your pet's feces, which can be done at our in-house vet lab in Phenix City.

  The ultimate goal of a fecal exam is to identify and treat any GI infections that could be compromising your pet's health and even the health of your family. Fecals allow your vet to determine if your pet has intestinal parasites such as roundworms or hookworms. 

  Parasites can make pets uncomfortable, irritable, and lead to more serious conditions. Some can even be transmitted to humans.

  Since these parasites live in your pet’s gastrointestinal tract, they are often hidden from view. The only way to detect them is with a fecal exam.

  Annual fecal examines should be a vital part of every pet's routine wellness exam.  

• Digital Dental X-Rays

  If your dog or cat is suffering from periodontal disease, much of this damage will occur below their gum line and won't easily be detectable to the naked eye. Digital dental X-rays help our vets to assess your pet's oral and overall health in these situations. 

  Digital X-Rays are safer for your pet. They allow our team of veterinary professionals to examine the roots, bones, and internal anatomy of your cat or dog's teeth.

  With digital X-Rays, the risk of radiation exposure for your pet is significantly lower than with traditional X-Ray technology. We can see below the surface of your pet's gum line to fully evaluate each tooth.

  This technology allows your Phenix City vet to see results immediately, then project them onto a computer screen to review.