When your pet is sick, injured, or acting unlike themselves, answers matter. Our East York team uses veterinary diagnostics to better understand what is happening beneath the surface and create a care plan that fits your pet’s needs. From lab testing to imaging, we use diagnostic tools to support faster, more informed treatment decisions.
If your pet needs diagnostic testing, call us at (416) 751-4000 or schedule an appointment online.
When Might My Pet Need Diagnostic Testing?
Pets cannot tell us where they hurt or how long something has felt off. Diagnostic testing helps us look deeper when an exam alone does not give the full picture.
Our veterinarian may recommend diagnostics if your pet has:
Vomiting or diarrhea
Appetite loss or weight changes
Increased thirst or urination
Coughing, breathing changes, or collapse
Lameness, swelling, or signs of pain
Urinary accidents or straining
Skin lumps, masses, wounds, or infections
Seizures or sudden behavior changes
Abnormal exam findings
Ongoing illness that needs monitoring
Diagnostics may also be recommended before surgery, during senior wellness visits, or when managing chronic conditions.
Common Lab Tests for Dogs, Cats, and Exotic Pets
Lab testing gives us important information about your pet’s internal health, organ function, hydration, infection status, and more. Depending on your pet’s symptoms and exam findings, we may recommend one or more tests.
Bloodwork
Blood tests can help evaluate red and white blood cells, platelets, liver values, kidney values, blood sugar, proteins, electrolytes, and other markers of health. Bloodwork is often used for sick visits, senior care, medication monitoring, and pre-surgical screening.
Fecal Exams
Fecal testing checks for intestinal parasites and other concerns that may affect digestion, weight, stool quality, and overall health. This test may be recommended for pets with diarrhea, new pets, outdoor pets, or routine wellness care.
Urinalysis
A urinalysis helps us assess urinary tract health, hydration, kidney function, crystals, infection, and other changes. It is often recommended for pets with increased urination, accidents, straining, blood in the urine, or changes in thirst.
Cytology
Cytology involves examining cells or material from the skin, ears, lumps, wounds, or other areas under a microscope. It can help identify inflammation, infection, abnormal cells, yeast, bacteria, and other concerns.
Histopathology
When a lump, mass, or tissue sample needs further evaluation, histopathology may be recommended. This test is commonly used after mass removal or biopsy to help determine what type of tissue is present and whether additional treatment may be needed.
Diagnostic Imaging for a Closer Look
Imaging allows our East York veterinarians to evaluate areas of the body that cannot be fully assessed from the outside. These tools can be especially helpful for injuries, internal concerns, abdominal symptoms, breathing changes, and surgical planning.
What to Expect for Diagnostic Results
Some diagnostic results may be available quickly, while others take more time depending on the test being performed and whether outside interpretation or laboratory review is needed. Our team will let you know what to expect, when results are likely to return, and how we will follow up.