Pet In-House Diagnostics in Andrews, NC
When your pet isn’t feeling well, timely answers make all the difference. At Andrews Veterinary Hospital, our advanced in-house veterinary diagnostics, powered by a full IDEXX laboratory, allow us to evaluate health concerns quickly and accurately—often the same day.
Why Veterinary Diagnostics Matter
Pets can’t tell us where it hurts, and many illnesses begin with subtle changes—reduced energy, appetite loss, vomiting, increased thirst, or behavior changes. Veterinary diagnostics give us critical insight into what’s happening inside your pet’s body, helping us move beyond guesswork to informed, confident care decisions.
With comprehensive diagnostics available right here in our hospital, we can:
- Identify illness earlier, when treatment is most effective
- Monitor chronic conditions accurately over time
- Support safer anesthesia and surgical planning
- Reduce stress by minimizing wait times and repeat visits
Whether your pet is sick, aging, or due for routine screening, diagnostic testing plays a vital role in protecting their long-term health. From routine pet blood testing to urgent diagnostic screening, we’re able to identify problems sooner and begin the right treatment without unnecessary delays.
Signs Your Pet May Need Diagnostic Testing
Your veterinarian may recommend pet blood testing or other diagnostic screening if your dog or cat is experiencing:
- Vomiting or diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours
- Decreased appetite or unexplained weight loss
- Increased thirst or urination
- Lethargy, weakness, or sudden behavior changes
- Pale gums, coughing, or labored breathing
- Chronic skin or ear issues
- Pain, limping, or mobility changes
- Pre-surgical or senior health evaluations
If something doesn’t seem right, it’s always better to check sooner rather than later.
Our In-House Diagnostic Services
At Andrews Veterinary Hospital, we take a thoughtful, step-by-step approach to diagnostics—starting with a thorough physical exam and selecting testing based on your pet’s individual needs. Our full in-house IDEXX laboratory allows us to run many tests on-site, providing faster answers and more immediate care.
Full In-House IDEXX Laboratory
Our hospital is equipped with a complete IDEXX in-house laboratory, a trusted leader in veterinary diagnostics. This advanced technology allows us to perform high-quality testing quickly and accurately, without sending samples off-site whenever possible.
Benefits of our in-house IDEXX lab include:
- Faster turnaround times for critical results
- Reliable, industry-leading diagnostic accuracy
- Immediate treatment decisions when time matters
- Reduced stress and waiting for pet owners
This capability is especially important for sick pets, urgent cases, and pre-surgical evaluations.
Fecal and Parasite Screening
Intestinal parasites are common in pets—especially those who spend time outdoors. Fecal testing helps detect parasites that can cause digestive issues, weight loss, or chronic illness and may spread to other pets or people if left untreated.
Pet Blood Testing
Pet blood testing is one of the most important tools in veterinary medicine. It helps detect illness early—often before outward symptoms appear—and allows us to assess internal organ function.
Bloodwork may be recommended for:
- Sick visits involving vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or lethargy
- Monitoring chronic conditions like kidney disease, diabetes, or thyroid disorders
- Senior wellness screening
- Pre-anesthetic safety before surgery or dental procedures
- Long-term medication monitoring
Pet bloodwork typically includes a complete blood count (CBC) and chemistry panel, evaluating hydration, infection, anemia, liver and kidney health, blood sugar, and electrolyte balance.
Cytology
Cytology is a fast, minimally invasive diagnostic test that allows our veterinarians to examine individual cells under a microscope.. By identifying bacteria, yeast, inflammatory cells, or abnormal cells, we can determine whether a condition is infectious, inflammatory, or potentially more serious.
Urinalysis and Urine Testing
Urine testing provides valuable insight into kidney function, hydration status, urinary tract health, and metabolic conditions such as diabetes. It’s often paired with blood testing for a more complete picture of your pet’s health.
What to Expect During a Diagnostic Visit
We aim to make diagnostic testing as smooth and stress-free as possible.
1. History and Physical Exam
We’ll review your pet’s symptoms, lifestyle, diet, and medical history, followed by a thorough nose-to-tail examination.
2. Clear Recommendations
Your veterinarian will explain which tests are most helpful and why, so you can make informed decisions without feeling overwhelmed.
3. Gentle Sample Collection
Most tests require small blood, urine, or skin samples. Our team uses calm handling and fear-free techniques to minimize stress.
4. Results and Care Plan
Once results are available, we’ll explain them in plain language and discuss next steps—whether that’s treatment, monitoring, dietary changes, or further diagnostics.
Supporting Safer Surgery and Anesthesia
Pre-anesthetic diagnostic testing is a critical part of surgical safety. Our in-house IDEXX laboratory allows us to evaluate organ function before anesthesia, helping us tailor anesthesia and pain management plans—especially for senior pets or those with underlying health concerns.
Clear Answers You Can Trust
At Andrews Veterinary Hospital, our advanced veterinary diagnostics, including a full in-house IDEXX laboratory, allow us to provide timely, accurate answers when your pet needs them most. With reliable pet blood testing and comprehensive diagnostic capabilities, we’re proud to support dogs and cats across Cherokee County, NC, with compassionate, efficient, and high-quality medical care—because your pet’s health deserves clarity, not guesswork.