Send-Out Laboratory Services

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Send-Out Laboratory Services at Tell Tail Veterinary Urgent Care

At Tell Tail Veterinary Urgent Care, we are committed to providing the highest quality care for your pets, which sometimes includes utilizing advanced diagnostics through our send-out laboratory services. While many tests can be performed in-house, certain complex cases require specialized testing that we send to external laboratories. These tests include cultures of wounds or urine, PCR tests for infectious diseases, and biopsy tissue evaluations. By collaborating with top-tier veterinary diagnostic labs, we ensure accurate results while keeping costs competitive for our clients.

When is Send-Out Laboratory Testing Needed?

In some cases, your pet’s health condition may require more specialized testing than we can perform on-site. Here are a few situations where send-out laboratory services are essential:

  • Cultures: Cultures of wounds, urine, or other fluids are often required to identify bacterial infections. These results help guide us in prescribing the most effective antibiotics or treatments for your pet’s specific condition.
  • PCR Testing for Infectious Diseases: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests are used to detect the genetic material of viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens. This advanced diagnostic method is crucial in identifying infectious diseases in pets, especially when traditional methods may not provide clear results.
  • Cytology and Biopsy Analysis: Cytology involves examining cells from fluids, tissues, or masses under a microscope. In more complex cases, we send these samples to our partner lab for a board-certified pathologist’s evaluation. Similarly, biopsy tissue (from a lump, organ, or mass) is often sent out to ensure a precise diagnosis and to determine if further treatment or surgery is needed.

Our Partnership with Leading Veterinary Labs

We understand that cost and turnaround time are critical factors when it comes to diagnostic testing. To offer you the best possible service, we’ve partnered with trusted veterinary diagnostic laboratories, negotiating special pricing to maintain competitive rates without sacrificing quality. These partnerships enable us to provide advanced testing, fast results, and the accuracy required to ensure your pet receives the most effective treatment plan.

Types of Send-Out Laboratory Tests

Below are some of the key diagnostic tests that we commonly send to external laboratories:

  • Wound or Urine Cultures: Culturing allows us to identify bacteria, fungi, or other pathogens in infected wounds or urinary tract infections (UTIs). Once we receive the results, we can tailor treatment plans to address your pet’s specific infection.
  • PCR Testing for Infectious Diseases: PCR tests are a highly sensitive way to detect the presence of infectious organisms in your pet’s body. This is especially important in diagnosing diseases that may not show up on routine blood work or standard diagnostic tests.
  • Cytology and Biopsy Tissue Evaluation: When your pet has a mass or lump, we may recommend taking a tissue biopsy for further analysis. This helps us determine if the mass is benign or cancerous and what steps should be taken next for treatment. Cytology is used to evaluate cells from fluids or tissues, helping us diagnose a variety of conditions, from infections to cancer.

When to Send Samples to the Laboratory

Our experienced veterinarians at Tell Tail Veterinary Urgent Care will carefully evaluate your pet’s condition to determine whether on-site testing is sufficient or if send-out laboratory services are required. While in-house diagnostics offer rapid results, certain cases benefit from advanced testing through external labs. Common scenarios for sending samples to a lab include:

  • Chronic infections that are resistant to initial treatment.
  • Recurrent UTIs or wounds that aren’t healing properly.
  • Lumps, masses, or unusual growths that require in-depth analysis.
  • Unexplained symptoms that may suggest infectious diseases or conditions not easily diagnosed through basic tests.

The Process: Simple and Seamless

When a sample needs to be sent to the laboratory, we handle every step of the process. Once your pet’s sample is collected, we prepare and ship it to our partner lab. Results are typically returned within a few days, depending on the complexity of the test. In the case of more urgent diagnostics, we can often expedite testing for faster turnaround times.

Our veterinarians will discuss the results with you as soon as they are available, guiding you through any necessary next steps in your pet’s care plan. From treatment options to surgical interventions, our goal is to provide clear communication and timely information to ensure your pet receives the best care possible.

Why Choose Tell Tail Veterinary Urgent Care for Send-Out Laboratory Testing?

  • Comprehensive Diagnostic Capabilities: Our team is equipped to handle a wide range of diagnostic services, from in-house tests to advanced send-out laboratory diagnostics.
  • Affordable Pricing: We’ve worked hard to negotiate favorable pricing with our partner labs to ensure that you receive the best value for your pet’s care.
  • Accurate and Reliable Results: Partnering with top veterinary labs ensures you get accurate, reliable, and timely results to guide treatment decisions.
  • Experienced Veterinary Team: Our skilled veterinarians have extensive experience in diagnosing complex cases and can determine when specialized testing is needed for your pet.

Contact Us for Advanced Diagnostics

At Tell Tail Veterinary Urgent Care, we believe in offering advanced diagnostic services while keeping care affordable and accessible. If your pet requires specialized testing, our team is here to provide expert guidance and ensure seamless coordination with our partner labs. We strive to give your pet the best possible care, every step of the way.

For more information on our send-out laboratory services or to schedule an appointment, please contact us today at telltailvet.com or call our office directly. We’re here to support your pet’s health with quality care and advanced diagnostics.