Diagnostic Services Digital X - Ray
St Cloud MN Pet Diagnostics
320.257.0911
911 Scout Dr
Sartell  MN 56377

 
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Digital X-Ray

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Pet Ultrasound

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Diagnostic Services

The depth and quality of the diagnostic services available at a pet health care facility is one indication of its capability and its commitment to your pet's health.

Advanced Care Pet Hospital's diagnostic services include:
     Digital X-Ray
     Color Doppler Ultrasound
     In-House Laboratory

Bloodwork and other diagnostics. A majority of the diagnostic services we provide are performed on-site.



DIGITAL RADIOLOGY X - RAYS


Our commitment to you is to provide the best available medical care for the treatment of your pets.

Digital Radiology is a big part of that commitment.

The physical x-ray emitting device is quite the same as the traditional film based devices. What is different is the the image processing. The digital image technology allows instant analysis and greater image processing flexibility without the harmful chemicals to develop the film. No chemicals are needed for film processing and this is just plain good for the environment, not to mention the staff's well being.

A simple comparison is taking your 35 mm camera film in for developing compared to downloading your digital camera images to your computer for viewing.
  • In house fully digital radiology provides exceptional diagnostic image results with minimal exposure for your pet.
Crystal sharp images result without the delay typical with developing film and provides virtually instant analysis.
Dr. Gerds can quickly view results and perform retakes if required. This is faster and less stressful for your pet than waiting for film results to be processed.

Images can be electronically sent to Board Certified Radiologists for further analysis when requested by the client.
  • Bone, soft tissue, and organ imaging.
Pets are often given a very short acting sedative for radiographs.  Unlike people, you can't tell your pet to stay still for the x-ray. Sedation reduces your pet's stress and eliminates the need for retaking images due to movement. If hip x-rays are taken, or if the animal is injured, sedation is needed so that the procedure will not be painful for your pet.

OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) Radiographs are taken at Advanced Care Pet Hospital and appropriate paper work completed.

Currently digital x-ray image processing and storage technology is significantly more expensive than a traditional film unit. It will allow lower costs per procedure during its lifetime. Images can be emailed rather then sent via snail mail when required.

Images can be easily shared with clients at much less expense.

Digital X Ray St Cloud MN


Eklin digital radiography system provides DICOM connectivity. The images from your pets x-ray study are stored on a PACs (Picture Archive Server) which communicates with the Electronic Patient Records system. Your x-ray images are fed into the pets medical record.

ULTRASOUND


Ultrasound is a diagnostic medical imaging technique used to visualize internal organs, their size, structure and any pathologic lesions.  It is also used to assist with less invasive biopsies of internal organs.

Perhaps its single most valuable benefit is its ability to help the Doctor diagnose various health conditions without invasive surgery. Dr. Gerds uses the Phillips HD 7 series Color Doppler ultrasound unit. A unit of this capability is more likely to be found in a human medical facility than the typical pet hospital. It provides a greater range and depth of diagnostic imaging than that found in countertop and laptop based units.

Ultrasound is recommended with all urinary tract infections to evaluate the bladder wall and to check for debris, lesions, defects and stones.

All ultrasound scans are performed at Advanced Care Pet Hospital.
  • We can transmit digital ultrasound studies to a board certified specialist for further consultation.
  • We offer abdominal, pregnancy, and cardiac scans.  We also perform ultrasound guided biopsies.
Breeds at increased risk for congenital heart problems should have a cardiac scan at approximately six months or at the time of spay or neuter to have a baseline measurement reading and to check for early signs of problems.

Chihuahua, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Newfoundland, Boxer, Doberman pinscher, and Great Dane are breeds included in the list of those at increased risk.

As pets get older or have dental disease, heart valve problems can develop. 

Ultrasound evaluates each heart valve as well as the rest of the structure of the heart and is the best means of determining the proper medications and course of treatment for the pet.

Ultrasound - Doppler Color Flow

The new color doppler settings are helpful to the Doctor to evaluate blood velocity measurements over a wide area of the scan field. Signals from moving red blood cells are displayed in color as a function of their motion toward or away from the probe. Color flow displays are easier to interpret, and there is less risk of missing important flow information.

Doppler Color Flow Ultrasound
Advanced Color Doppler Ultrasound in action.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart) is very common in cats and is frequently asymptomatic until sudden death occurs.  We recommend periodic cardiac scans on all cats in order to catch any problems early and to be able to better ensure the safety of an anesthetic procedure.



Pet Ultrasound

Philips digital ultrasound system provides DICOM connectivity. The images from your pets ultrasound study are stored on a PACs (Picture Archive Server) which communicates with the Electronic Patient Records system. Your x-ray images are fed into the pets medical record.

IN-HOUSE LABORATORY


Full blood work for your pet is available at Advanced Care Pet Hospital:  electrolyte analysis, blood chemistry, complete  blood counts, thyroid testing, differentials, cell evaluation, urinalysis.  Get fast and accurate same day results.

Common Blood tests include:
  • Intestinal parasite exams performed on stool samples.
  • Canine Heartworm tests – instant test results with a highly sensitive and accurate snap test which also screens for Lyme and Ehrlichia.
  • Feline Heartworm test.   Instant test results.
  • FELV/FIV (Feline leukemia).  Instant test results.
  • Parvo virus.  Rapid screen snap test run on stools.
  • Giardia – (An intestinal protozoa that can cause vomiting and severe diarrhea and is potentially transmitted to people).  Rapid snap test run on stool.
We also use a Reference Laboratory for specialized blood or fluid tests.  Tissues and biopsy samples are sent to the reference lab for analysis.  Same day pick up for all tests and fast turn-around times are a matter of course for most speciality tests.

Laboratory


Our blood analysis provides connectivity with the Electronic Patient Records system. Your pet's blood work results are fed into their medical record electronically. This applies to both internal results as well as for tests sent out. Errors in recording blood work results are eliminated.












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