Pet Diagnostics for Dogs and Cats in Livermore

Getting answers about your pet’s health starts with the right diagnostic tools. PetCura Animal Hospital in Livermore operates a fully equipped in-house diagnostic suite, giving our team the ability to run bloodwork, digital X-rays, ultrasound imaging, urinalysis, cytology, and more during the same appointment. For dogs and cats in Livermore, Pleasanton, and Dublin, access to on-site diagnostic services means faster results and less time spent waiting for answers. Our in-house laboratory delivers most standard blood panel results within the same visit, allowing your veterinarian to begin reviewing findings and discussing a care plan with you without delays. Our clinic is open seven days a week, including evenings, making diagnostic appointments accessible when your schedule allows.

In-House Bloodwork and Laboratory Testing in Livermore

Our on-site laboratory runs a full range of panels for dogs and cats, including complete blood counts, comprehensive biochemistry profiles, urinalysis, and organ function assessments covering the liver, kidneys, and thyroid. These tests give your veterinarian a thorough view of your pet’s internal health in a single visit. In-house testing means results are often available within the same appointment, allowing your doctor to discuss findings with you in real time and begin addressing concerns without the delays associated with outside laboratory submissions. Specialized panels are also available, including progesterone testing for breeding management, ACTH stimulation testing for adrenal gland function, clotting factor assessments, and endocrinology panels for thyroid and adrenal conditions.

Digital X-Ray and Ultrasound Imaging for Pets in Livermore

Imaging tools give your veterinarian a clear view of structures inside your pet’s body that a physical exam alone cannot fully assess. Digital radiography provides high-resolution images of bone structures, the chest cavity, and the abdominal organs. Ultrasound allows visualization of soft tissues including the liver, kidneys, spleen, bladder, and heart in real time. Both modalities are available on-site at PetCura Animal Hospital, eliminating the need to refer most patients to an outside imaging center. When a foreign body is suspected, when abdominal imaging is needed following abnormal bloodwork, or when a mass requires further characterization, these tools are available the same day in most cases.

Cytology, Fine Needle Aspirate, and Skin Diagnostics

Skin and mass diagnostics at PetCura Animal Hospital include cytology, fine needle aspirate (FNA), skin scraping, ear cytology, and biopsy. Cytology and FNA allow our team to collect a sample from a skin lesion, lump, or enlarged lymph node and evaluate it under the microscope in-clinic. This gives your veterinarian useful preliminary information about what a mass or lesion may be, often during the same appointment. Skin scraping is used to identify external parasites such as mites, which can cause intense itching and hair loss. Ear cytology identifies the type of organism causing an ear infection, allowing for a targeted care approach. Biopsy for definitive tissue analysis is also available and is recommended when a mass warrants a more thorough pathological evaluation.

Explore More Services

Urgent Same-Day Care for Sick Pets

Veterinary Medical Services in Livermore

Surgical Services for Dogs and Cats

FAQs

How long does it take to get blood test results at PetCura Animal Hospital?

For most standard blood panels run on our in-house analyzer, results are available within 30 to 45 minutes, which means your veterinarian can discuss findings with you during the same appointment in many cases. More specialized panels that require an outside laboratory, such as certain allergy evaluations or culture-based tests, typically take two to five business days depending on the specific test.

When is an ultrasound recommended for my pet?

Ultrasound is recommended when a veterinarian needs to evaluate soft tissue structures that an X-ray does not fully show. Common reasons include assessing abdominal organs such as the liver, kidneys, or spleen, looking for masses or fluid accumulation, evaluating the bladder and reproductive structures, or following up on abnormal bloodwork findings. It is non-invasive and does not require sedation in most cooperative patients.

What is a fine needle aspirate and does it hurt my pet?

A fine needle aspirate uses a small needle to collect cells from a lump, mass, or lymph node. The process is minimally invasive, and most pets tolerate it well without sedation. The collected sample is applied to a slide and evaluated under the microscope in our clinic. An FNA gives your veterinarian useful information about what cells are present in a mass and helps guide next steps. For definitive results on complex masses, a biopsy may also be recommended.

What is titer testing and when should my pet have it done?

Titer testing measures the level of antibodies your pet has against specific diseases, such as parvovirus or distemper. It is sometimes used as an alternative to automatic re-vaccination in adult pets who may already have sufficient immunity, and is also required for international pet travel to certain countries. Talk to your veterinarian about whether titer testing makes sense for your dog or cat based on their health history and travel plans. PetCura Animal Hospital offers titer testing as part of our on-site laboratory services.

Get clear answers about your dog or cat’s health with our in-house diagnostic services. Call PetCura Animal Hospital in Livermore at (925) 292-5153 to schedule your appointment today. Open seven days a week.