At Aycardo Veterinary Center Inc. (AVCI), laboratory testing plays an important role in evaluating the health of dogs and cats. Many medical conditions cannot be identified through physical examination alone. Laboratory tests help our veterinarians investigate illnesses, assess organ function, detect infections, and monitor a patient’s response to treatment.

Our diagnostic laboratory services support preventive healthcare, routine checkups, emergency assessments, pre-surgical evaluations, and the ongoing management of medical conditions.

Different tests provide different types of information. Depending on your pet’s symptoms, medical history, and physical examination findings, our veterinarians may recommend one or several laboratory procedures.

1. Hematology and Blood Cell Examination

These tests evaluate blood cells and help detect abnormalities associated with infection, inflammation, anemia, bleeding disorders, and other medical conditions.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

Measures red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. A CBC helps veterinarians assess anemia, infection, inflammation, and abnormalities affecting the blood.

Peripheral Blood Smear (PBS)

A microscopic examination of blood cells used to assess their appearance, identify certain abnormalities, and investigate the possible presence of blood parasites. It complements the CBC.

Blood Parasite Examination

Microscopic examination of blood samples to investigate blood-borne organisms, including certain parasites associated with tick-borne diseases.

2. Blood Chemistry and Organ Function Tests

Blood chemistry testing helps assess how important organs and metabolic systems are functioning.

Blood Chemistry Testing

Measures selected substances in the blood to evaluate liver and kidney function, protein levels, metabolic activity, and other indicators of internal health.

Health and Chemistry Panels

Groups several blood chemistry measurements into a more comprehensive assessment of organ function and metabolic health. These panels may be recommended during wellness evaluations, illness investigations, and pre-surgical screening.

Electrolyte Testing

Measures important electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and chloride. These help veterinarians assess fluid balance, dehydration, and certain metabolic disturbances.

Blood Glucose Testing

Measures blood sugar levels and assists in evaluating patients with suspected diabetes, hypoglycemia, or other conditions affecting glucose regulation.

Symmetric Dimethylarginine (SDMA)

A blood biomarker used to help assess kidney filtration function. It may provide additional information when evaluating suspected kidney disease.

3. Inflammation and Disease Monitoring

These tests help veterinarians assess inflammatory activity and monitor changes during illness or treatment.

C-Reactive Protein (CRP) — Dogs

Measures an inflammatory marker in dogs. It can help assess systemic inflammation and monitor changes in a patient’s condition over time.

Serum Amyloid A (SAA) — Cats

Measures an inflammatory marker in cats. It can assist veterinarians in evaluating inflammatory activity and monitoring treatment response.

Canine Pancreatic Lipase (cPL)

A blood test used to support the investigation of suspected pancreatitis in dogs. Results are interpreted together with clinical findings and other diagnostic information.

4. Urinalysis and Urinary Diagnostics

Urine testing provides important information about kidney function, urinary tract health, hydration, and certain metabolic disorders.

Urinalysis (UA)

Examines the physical and chemical characteristics of urine, together with microscopic evaluation of urinary sediment. It helps investigate urinary tract inflammation, crystals, blood in the urine, and other abnormalities.

Urine Specific Gravity (USG)

Measures urine concentration and helps veterinarians assess hydration and the kidneys’ ability to concentrate urine.

Urine Sediment Examination

Microscopic examination of urine to identify crystals, cells, casts, bacteria-like structures, and other particles that may be associated with urinary tract abnormalities.

Urine Microalbumin Testing

Helps detect small amounts of albumin in urine, which may provide additional information when evaluating possible kidney-related abnormalities.

5. Fecal Examination and Intestinal Parasite Testing

Fecal testing helps investigate gastrointestinal illness and the presence of intestinal parasites.

Direct Fecal Smear (DFS)

A microscopic examination of stool samples that may help identify certain intestinal parasites, protozoa, and other abnormalities.

Fecal Parasite Examination

Evaluates stool samples for evidence of intestinal parasites, including certain worm eggs and protozoal organisms, depending on the examination method used.

Giardia Antigen Testing

A rapid diagnostic test that helps detect Giardia infection, an intestinal protozoal infection that may cause diarrhea and gastrointestinal disturbances.

6. Canine Infectious Disease Testing

AVCI offers several rapid diagnostic tests that help investigate infectious diseases affecting dogs.

Canine Parvovirus (CPV) Testing

Helps detect canine parvovirus infection, a potentially serious disease commonly associated with vomiting, diarrhea, and intestinal illness, particularly in puppies.

Canine Coronavirus (CCV) Testing

Helps investigate enteric canine coronavirus infection, which may be associated with gastrointestinal disease.

Canine Rotavirus (CRV) Testing

Assists in investigating canine rotavirus infection, which may contribute to diarrhea, especially in young dogs.

Canine Distemper Testing

Helps investigate canine distemper virus infection, a contagious disease that can affect the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems.

Canine Leptospira Antibody Testing

Detects antibodies associated with exposure to Leptospira bacteria. Results require interpretation alongside the patient’s vaccination history, symptoms, and other diagnostic findings.

Canine Tick-Borne Disease Screening

AVCI offers a four-pathogen screening test covering:

• Ehrlichia
• Anaplasma
• Babesia gibsoni
• Babesia canis

These organisms may be associated with anemia, fever, platelet abnormalities, weakness, and other systemic illnesses. Additional laboratory evaluation may be needed to confirm or further investigate suspected infections.

Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (CIRD-3) Testing

A diagnostic screening test used to investigate selected infectious agents associated with canine respiratory disease, commonly referred to as kennel cough or canine infectious respiratory disease complex.

7. Feline Infectious Disease Testing

AVCI also provides diagnostic screening for several infectious diseases affecting cats.

Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV) Testing

Helps detect feline panleukopenia, a serious viral disease that can cause gastrointestinal illness and marked reductions in certain white blood cells.

Feline Coronavirus (FCoV) Testing

Helps investigate feline coronavirus infection. A positive result alone does not confirm feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), which requires further clinical assessment.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) Testing

Screens for infection with feline immunodeficiency virus, which can affect a cat’s immune function.

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) Testing

Screens for feline leukemia virus infection, which may affect immune function, blood cell production, and overall health.

Feline Giardia Testing

Helps investigate Giardia infection in cats experiencing diarrhea or other gastrointestinal signs.

8. Skin, Ear, and Cellular Examination

Microscopic examination of samples collected from the skin, ears, or other tissues helps veterinarians investigate infections, parasites, and cellular abnormalities.

Skin Scraping Examination

Examines material collected from the skin to investigate certain mites and other possible causes of skin disease.

Trichogram (Hair Examination)

Microscopic examination of hair shafts and roots to evaluate hair abnormalities and investigate conditions associated with hair loss.

Skin Impression Smear / Skin Cytology

Examines cells and microorganisms collected from the skin. It can help detect bacteria, yeast such as Malassezia, and inflammatory changes.

Ear Cytology

Microscopic examination of material collected from the ear canal to help identify yeast, bacteria, and inflammatory cells associated with ear disease.

Fine-Needle Aspiration (FNA) and Cytology

Examines cells collected from lumps, enlarged lymph nodes, or other abnormalities to help assess inflammation, infection, and possible abnormal cell populations. Further testing may be required for a definitive diagnosis.

9. Specialized Laboratory and Pre-Surgical Screening

Pre-Anesthetic Laboratory Screening

Laboratory evaluation performed before anesthesia to help identify certain health concerns that may influence anesthetic planning. The tests recommended depend on the patient’s age, medical history, and condition.

Coagulation Screening

Evaluates selected aspects of blood clotting and may be recommended for patients with suspected bleeding abnormalities or particular procedural risks.

Serial Laboratory Monitoring

Repeated testing of selected blood parameters, inflammatory markers, or organ function indicators to help track a hospitalized patient’s progress and response to treatment.