Diagnostics
Diagnostic imaging and advanced testing are the cornerstones of precise feline healthcare. At Crescenta Cañada Cat Clinic, our on-site digital radiography and ultrasound systems capture high-resolution images in minutes—allowing us to detect bone fractures, abdominal abnormalities, cardiac conditions, and more without delay. Our in-house laboratory runs comprehensive blood panels, urinalysis, and specialized assays around the clock, so we can identify infections, metabolic disorders, and organ dysfunction the same day. For exceptionally complex or rare cases, we partner with board-certified veterinary radiologists and specialty labs to ensure every diagnostic question is answered thoroughly, empowering your cat’s care team to develop the most effective treatment plan.
The Role of Diagnostics in Feline Health
Blood work
Blood work provides an in-depth look at your cat’s internal functions and is an essential diagnostic tool for a variety of situations. Our suite of state-of-the-art analyzers allow us to perform standard blood testing on-site. The quick and accurate results allow our team to begin treatment or approve your cat for anesthesia without delay.
Blood work may be recommended for a variety of reasons including routine health assessments, pre-anesthetic evaluation, therapeutic monitoring, and illness or emergency.
External Reference Lab
Some specialized tests require precise equipment and expertise only a reference laboratory can provide. Our partnership with top-tier veterinary reference labs ensures advanced testing, assessment, and specialist review of diagnostic samples are always within reach. When needed, our veterinarians consult with pathologists and internal medicine specialists for expert insights and treatment recommendations.
Digital Radiography (X-Ray)
Digital radiography (X-ray) provides nearly instantaneous high-resolution images of your cat’s anatomy with great clarity and detail. X-rays are often used to evaluate or identify fractures, airway conditions, bone and joint issues, tumors, and soft tissue abnormalities. Unlike traditional film X-rays, digital radiography is instantly available for review and sharing. This allows our team to send your cat’s electronic images to a veterinary radiologist for rapid, expert interpretation.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound uses painless sound waves to generate a real-time dynamic image of your cat’s soft tissues, including their abdominal organs, such as the bladder and intestines, and their heart. Several of our veterinarians and registered veterinary technicians (RVTs) have attained advanced ultrasonography training, allowing us to provide immediate assessment of numerous conditions.
Our skilled RVTs also assist with ultrasound imaging procedures by ensuring patient safety and comfort throughout the process.
Ultrasound is non-invasive, meaning we can often examine cats without surgery, sedation, or unnecessary stress. This is especially useful for emergencies or cats who are too sick for anesthesia. In addition to visual assessment, we can also perform ultrasound-guided procedures, such as sterile urine collection, which requires no sedation, and biopsies, which may require sedation or anesthesia for your cat’s comfort and safety.
For complex cases, we can forward ultrasound images to a veterinary radiologist for comprehensive review and analysis.
Everything Your Cat Needs
Minimizing stress is essential in feline care. Providing in-house diagnostic testing and imaging improves your cat’s comfort and simplifies their veterinary care. Instead of taking multiple trips to unfamiliar specialty hospitals, your cat can enjoy a low-stress visit in a comfortable setting, with a team you know and trust.
On-site diagnostics allow:
Faster answers, less worry
Seamless continuity of care
Gentle handling and techniques
Lower costs
The Role of Diagnostics in Feline Health
Routine screening tests can catch subtle health changes before they become serious problems, allowing us to start treatment sooner and better manage—or cure—your cat’s condition. Diagnostic testing and imaging help us reach a diagnosis while accelerating your cat’s time to treatment, which is especially important during an emergency. Whether your cat receives diagnostics as part of their routine wellness visit or to identify the cause of illness or pain, our tools and technology provide rapid, accurate answers.
Informed Medicine, Exceptional Care
When you have questions about your cat’s health, diagnostic testing at Crescenta Cañada Cat Clinic can provide answers. With a wide range of advanced in-house technology and referral options, and an emphasis on providing a low-stress experience for every cat, we provide an accurate, convenient, and compassionate approach to feline medicine’s most challenging conditions—and exceptional care for you and your cat.