In-house diagnostic testing:

Whenever possible, we aim to reach an accurate diagnosis at the time of the visit.

This can save time, costs, and provide peace of mind as soon as possible for families who may be anxious about a sick pet.

For this reason, we have a full service self-contained lab at Victoria.

This includes:

In-House Diagnostic Testing

A white IDEXX Catalyst One laboratory analyzer with a grey drawer, placed against a bright blue background.
A white IDEXX Procytes haematology machine

Biochemistry

Haematology

Medical device with a touchscreen display showing a list of patients and instructions for testing. The device is labeled 'IDEXX SNAPshot Dx' and is used in a clinical or laboratory setting.
Medical laboratory device with a touchscreen display and a sample slide holder, labeled 'IDEXX VetStat'.

SNAPShot

Blood gases

Coagulation Analyzer

Urinalysis

Urine test strips in a cylindrical container with an instruction chart on the label.
IDEXX Coag Dx laboratory coagulometer for blood clot testing

In addition, we stock a wide ranges of point-of-care diagnostic tests for common infectious diseases, including heartworm, tick fever, parvo, distemper, FIV virus, and feline leukaemia virus.

A SNAP test cassette with a circular control line area and a rectangular result window showing blue dots, labeled '4Dx Plus'.
A SNAP test cassette with a circular control line area and a rectangular result window showing blue dots, labeled 'fBNP'.
A SNAP test cassette with a circular control line area and a rectangular result window showing blue dots, labeled "TRIPLE snap".
A SNAP test cassette with a circular control line area and a rectangular result window showing blue dots.
A SNAP test cassette with a circular control line area and a rectangular result window showing blue dots, labeled 'lepto'.
A white compound microscope with black eyepieces and adjustable knobs.

In addition, all vets at Victoria are highly experienced at using point-of care microscopy for diagnosis of many common conditions.

These can include:

Blood smear examinations to check for conditions like anaemia, leukaemia, or tick fevers.

Blood smear examinations to check for conditions like anaemia, leukaemia, or tick fevers.

Urine analysis to check for crystals or infection.

Urine analysis to check for crystals or infection.

Skin smears or scrapes to check for infections or parasites.

Skin smears or scrapes to check for infections or parasites.

Aspirates of skin lumps to check for cancer.

Aspirates of skin lumps to check for cancer.

Using these techniques, often we’ll be able to reach a diagnosis while you wait.

In some cases, especially cases involving very serious conditions like tick fever or cancer, we will send additional samples out to an external lab for full confirmation before we undertake any definitive treatment.

The vets at Victoria will always take care to guide you through the diagnostic process to ensure that it is as rapid and as affordable as possible, but never compromising diagnostic accuracy, the cornerstone of all successful treatment.

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