Veterinary Technology

In-House Ultrasounds

In the event that an ultrasound is recommended, we perform all ultrasounds in house. All our ultrasounds images are then sent out to a Board Certified Radiologist for review. 

Our technician will begin by removing the fur from the area of interest. A gel is applied to the area and an ultrasound probe is rubbed on the skin. The ultrasound machine uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of a part of the body. The procedure is considered safe and non-invasive and does not involve radiation.

On-Site Veterinary Pharmacy 

Once your cat or dog has received a diagnosis, you can stop by our pharmacy to begin treatment as soon as possible. Our pharmacy offers a wide range of animal-related medicines, providing us with quick access to any medications needed to help resolve or manage your companion's medical problem.

You can also let us know when it's time to renew your cat or dog's prescription. When you arrive, we can have your furry friend's medication ready and waiting for you.

Our Diagnostic Services 

At Country Meadows Pet Hospital, our in-house lab is equipped with advanced diagnostic testing and tools that help our team of veterinarians to quickly and efficiently pinpoint the cause of your cat or dog's symptoms.

Some of the diagnostics available at our Maple Ridge clinic include:

• Radiography (Digital X-rays)

  Radiography is safe, painless and non-invasive. It uses only very low doses of radiation. Because the level of radiation exposure required to perform radiography is very low, even pregnant females, and kittens and puppies 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 tumours. 

• Digital Dental X-rays

  If your cat or dog is suffering from periodontal disease, much of this damage occurs below the gum line where it can't be easily seen. Digital X-rays allow our team 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 cat or dog is significantly lower than with traditional X-ray technology. We are able to see below the surface of your cat or dog's gum line to fully evaluate each tooth.

• Ultrasound

  With ultrasound imaging, we expose part of the body to high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the inside of the body. Because we capture ultrasound images in real-time, we can see the structure and movement of your cat or dog's internal organs, as well as blood flowing through the blood vessels. 

• ECG / EKG

  If your veterinarian performs a physical examination and suspects your cat or dog may have a heart disorder, we usually take chest X-rays and an electrocardiogram (ECG / EKG). An electrocardiogram is a graphic representation of the voltage produced by cardiac muscle cells during depolarization and repolarization. 

  This procedure can be completed easily and quickly. It reveals data that may be integral to your cat or dog's diagnosis. In other cases, a cardiac ultrasound (Echocardiogram) may be required to identify disorders in the chambers of the heart.

• Endoscopy

  An endoscopy is used in medicine to look inside the body. The endoscopy is usually performed if your cat or dog is suffering from possible gastrointestinal, respiratory or reproductive problems.

  Endoscopy is not a surgical procedure, but it does require the use of general anesthesia.

• Bloodwork

  Our lab can perform a variety of routine and specialized blood tests to assess your cat or dog's health and diagnose illness.

  Veterinary blood work can identify if your dog or cat has anemia, inflammation or an infection. They can also indicate immune system response and blood clotting ability as well as tell your vet whether your cat or dog's liver, kidneys and pancreas are healthy and working as they should.

  Hematocrit, platelets, Eosinophils, hemoglobin, and MCHC are some of the most common veterinary blood tests we perform. 

• Urinalysis

  Urinalysis is a vital diagnostic test that provides your veterinarian with detailed insight into the physical and chemical properties of your cat or dog's urine.

  We typically test the urine of cats and dogs as a way to assess the health of the kidneys and urinary tract system, but it can also be helpful in detecting issues in other organ systems. It is an important test for diagnosing metabolic diseases such as diabetes.

  We recommend that this valuable diagnostic test be included as part of your dog or cat's annual wellness exam.

• Fecal Exam

  A fecal exam is the microscopic examination of your cat or dog's stool. This test is performed to identify and treat various GI infections that could be compromising your cat or dog's health and even the health of your family.

  Fecals allow your veterinarian to determine if your cat or dog has hidden intestinal parasites such as roundworms or hookworms. 

  Intestinal parasites often lead to discomfort and irritability in dogs and cats and can result in more severe conditions. Some parasites can even be transmitted to humans.

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

  We recommend that a fecal examination be done annually, as part of your cat or dog's yearly checkup.