owner holding black and white dog

Pet Diagnostics in Colma, CA

The team at Colma Animal Hospital is committed to providing your pet with the most modern care. That’s why we offer advanced diagnostic services to accompany our comprehensive physical wellness exams. If any health issues or abnormalities are detected during the physical exam, a diagnostic exam is often recommended. Since the diagnostic exam involves examining your pet internally, the results allow us to determine the cause of your pet’s health condition.

For your convenience, we perform all of our diagnostic services in-house, using cutting-edge equipment and techniques.

Digital Radiography

Digital radiographs (X-rays) are used to safely and quickly examine a pet’s bones, heart, lungs, abdomen, and other areas of the body to diagnose various conditions—some of which may require surgery. These include fractures, foreign bodies, and tumors. Unlike film X-rays, digital radiography provides a number of benefits for your pet, for you, and for the doctor, including:

  • Instant image production
  • Images can be easily viewed on a computer monitor and e-mailed if necessary
  • Images are produced with more clarity and detail, allowing for a better view of the bones and internal organs
  • Reduction in radiation

We are pleased to have a veterinary digital radiologist specialist, Dr. Rivers, on-call to provide X-ray services here at our hospital. If you would like to Schedule an Appointment, please let us know.

brown black and white cat looking to the right

Ultrasonography

Ultrasonography
dog laying on the floor licking their paws

Skin Scraping and Cytology

There are hundreds of known skin conditions seen in dogs and cats. In fact, “skin disease” is one of the most common reasons that pets are brought to veterinary hospitals. As part of Colma Animal Hospital’s dermatology diagnostic services, we use in-house skin scraping and in-house cytology to examine skin cells and detect conditions, many of which are microscopic. This involves obtaining a skin sample by gently scraping the skin surface—usually with a scalpel blade—and analyzing the sample under a microscope.

Skin scraping and cytology analyses help us more accurately diagnose and treat skin problems. Some of the common skin conditions that we can detect with skin surface cytology include:

  • Mites
  • Mange (scabies)
  • Fungal infections
  • Parasitic dermatitis
  • Lesions

What Others Are Saying

We've been going to Colma Animal Hospital for decades. Love the people, always compassionate and caring. No complaints at all.

Deb

Dr. Bhakri is the vet we see. He is caring, attentive and explains the prognosis in a way you understand it.

Marilyn