Digital x-ray, ultrasound, in-house bloods, endoscopy
Diagnostics: imaging and laboratory
Digital x-ray and ultrasound in the barn, an in-house laboratory that turns a blood profile round in twenty minutes, endoscopy, blood pressure and ECG, so that most of the finding-out happens in one visit rather than a week of waiting.
A vet who can x-ray, scan and run bloods in the same hour as the consultation makes better decisions than one who has to guess and wait. Our laboratory runs the standard profiles in twenty minutes while you have a coffee, and the images go on the screen in the consulting room so you see what we see.
The in-house laboratory handles biochemistry, haematology, electrolytes, thyroid and urine; anything else goes to the external laboratory with results in one to three days. Digital x-rays are taken under sedation for most animals, because a wriggling patient gives a useless picture, and are read by the vet that day; anything uncertain is sent to a radiologist for a second opinion within 24 hours at no charge.
Ultrasound is used for abdomens, hearts and pregnancy, and for guiding needle biopsies so that a lump can be diagnosed without surgery. Rhian has the certificate in cardiology and runs a heart clinic on Thursdays with ECG and echocardiography. Endoscopy lets us look at the stomach and airways and retrieve the socks, corn cobs and fish hooks that Labradors specialise in, without opening them up.
What is included
- In-house blood profiles in twenty minutes
- Digital x-ray with a radiologist's second opinion when needed
- Ultrasound for abdomens, hearts and biopsies
- Heart clinic on Thursdays with ECG and echo
- Endoscopy for swallowed objects and airway problems
- Results explained on the screen in the room
What it costs
Blood profile £95, x-rays under sedation from £180, ultrasound from £140, all with the results explained the same day. Included at 10% off on the health plan. Prices include VAT and every one is on the prices page; the health plan takes 10% off all of them. Emergencies, day or night, are on the emergencies page.
Questions about diagnostics
Does my pet need to be sedated for an x-ray?
Usually, yes. A sharp image needs a still animal, and holding a frightened one down is worse for them than a short sedation they wake from in twenty minutes. Older or very calm animals sometimes manage without.
How much will the tests cost?
Each test has a fixed price on the prices page and the vet tells you which ones they want to run and why before running them. A typical work-up for a vomiting dog is a blood profile and an x-ray, about £275.
Can I have the results sent to me?
Yes, the report and the images are emailed to you, and sent to any referral vet or insurer you name.
Register a pet, or book an appointment.
Registration takes five minutes and we request the history from your previous vet. Sick pets are seen the same day, emergencies at once, and out of hours one of our own vets answers 01632 960 813. Every price is on the website.