Veterinary Technology

Our Technology & Diagnostic Tools

With our in-house veterinary lab and technology, we are pleased to offer advanced diagnostic testing and treatment options to our patients. 

• Radiography (Digital X-rays)

  Using a radiograph (digital x-ray), we can examine your pet's internal systems to reveal information that may be invisible from the outside. 

  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 very young pets 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 tumors. 

• Ultrasound

  The use of diagnostic imaging allows our team of veterinary professionals to create extremely detailed images of your pet's internal structures.

  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 pet's internal organs, as well as blood flowing through the blood vessels.

  If your pet requires an ultrasound we have an on-call board certified ultrasonographer. Board-certified veterinarians are experts in their field – they must complete an additional three years of school and pass rigorous examinations to receive their certification.  

• Surgical Lasers

  We are proud to be one of the only clinics in the Mankato area that offers surgical lasers as an alternative to scalpels. The benefits of veterinary laser surgery are many, but the most notable is that it decreases pain.
  
  Almost any soft-tissue surgery may be performed with the laser. Routine procedures such as spaying neutering are commonly done, as well as tumor removal. Your vet will discuss whether or not a surgical laser is right for your pet's specific procedure.

• Cold Lasers

  Cold lasers provide an alternative method of pain treatment in pets. Cold laser therapy is a non-invasive treatment that can reduce inflammation in pets with conditions such as arthritis or soft tissue injuries like sprains. 

  Cold laser therapy can also increase circulation, reduce nerve sensitivity, and decrease pain. 

• Bloodwork

  At our vet lab in Mankato we are able to run a number of common and specialized blood tests to determine the health of your pet, and to diagnose illness.

  Some of the most common veterinary blood tests we do are CBC (complete blood count), white blood count, hemoglobin and MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration), hematocrit, platelets, eosinophils, and blood serum profile. 

• Urinalysis

  Urinalysis is a key diagnostic test that provides your vet with essential insights into the physical and chemical properties of your pet's urine.

  Urinalysis is primarily used to assess the health of your animal's kidneys and urinary tract system, but it can also be helpful in detecting issues in other organ systems and is important for diagnosing metabolic diseases such as diabetes.

  This is a valuable diagnostic test for both healthy and sick animals and should be included in any comprehensive evaluation of your pet's overall health. 

• Fecal Exams

  A fecal exam is the microscopic examination of your pet's feces, which can be done at our in-house vet lab in Mankato.

  The ultimate goal of a fecal exam is to identify and treat any GI infections that could be compromising your pet's health and even the health of your family. Fecals allow your vet to determine if your pet has intestinal parasites such as roundworms or hookworms. 

  Parasites can make pets uncomfortable, irritable, and lead to more serious conditions. Some can even be transmitted to humans.

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

  Annual fecal examines should be a vital part of every pet's routine wellness exam.  

• Digital Dental X-Rays

  If your cat or dog is suffering periodontal disease, much of this damage occurs below the gum line where it can't be easily seen. Digital dental X-Rays help our veterinarians assess your pet's oral health.

  Digital X-Rays are safer for your pet. They allow our team of veterinary professionals to examine roots, bones and internal anatomy of your cat or dog's teeth.

  With digital X-Rays, the risk of radiation exposure for your pet is significantly lower than with traditional X-Ray technology. We are able to see below the surface of your pet's gum line to fully evaluate each tooth.

  This technology allows your Mankato vet to see results immediately, then project them onto a computer screen to review.