Diagnostic Testing
Building a better understanding of your pet's health
Your pet’s physical examination tells us a lot about their health. Diagnostic testing helps us build an even deeper understanding, enabling us to investigate illness, monitor chronic conditions, detect disease sooner, and make evidence-based decisions about your pet’s care.
At Aqueduct Animal Hospital, diagnostic testing doesn’t replace clinical experience—it strengthens it.
Every test has a purpose, and every result becomes another piece of the story that helps us care for your pet with greater confidence and precision.
Why Diagnostic Testing Matters
Sometimes a diagnosis is obvious. Other times, vague or unusual symptoms can make it less clear.
Diagnostic testing helps us confirm your pet’s diagnosis, monitor chronic health conditions, and identify potential concerns. When we view your pet’s results alongside their medical history, physical examination, and the changes you’ve noticed at home, we have the information we need to understand what’s happening and recommend the care that’s right for your pet.
Helping Define the Future of Diagnostics
Aqueduct Animal Hospital was honored to be selected by IDEXX, a global leader in veterinary diagnostics, as the only Northeast practice invited to help develop and test the InVue Dx cellular analyzer. This recognition and partnership allow us to stay at the forefront of veterinary innovation, support better pet health worldwide, and provide our patients with access to the latest diagnostic advancements.
Our Services
Through our on-site laboratory and imaging suite and collaboration with external reference laboratories, we can provide comprehensive testing for healthy and sick pets.
In-House Testing
Bloodwork, urinalysis, cytology, and other in-house tests help us evaluate organ function, detect disease, and monitor your pet’s health for rapid results.
Reference Laboratory Testing
We use a trusted reference laboratory for many preventive and specialized tests, providing accurate results and access to advanced technology and specialist expertise when needed.
Digital Radiography
Detailed digital X-rays allow us to evaluate bones, joints, the chest, abdomen, and other internal structures quickly and accurately.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a non-invasive technology used to evaluate soft tissues and internal organs that can’t always be fully assessed with radiographs alone.
Blood Pressure Monitoring
An important screening and monitoring tool for many medical conditions, particularly in senior pets and those with kidney, heart, or endocrine disease.
Diagnostic Testing May Be Recommended To…
Investigate illness or injury
Detect disease before symptoms appear
Monitor ongoing medical conditions
Evaluate your pet before anesthesia
Measure response to treatment
Establish baseline health values as your pet ages
Choosing the Best Test for Your Pet: STAT Versus Send Out
Your pet’s needs may change with every visit, but our approach will remain the same. We’ll always recommend the testing option that provides the right balance of speed, value, and diagnostic information for your pet’s condition.
When Time Matters (STAT Testing)
For pets that are sick, injured, or need immediate treatment, we’ll often perform testing in our hospital so results are available during your visit.
When Comprehensive Testing Makes Sense (Send Out)
For preventive wellness bloodwork, fecal testing, and many specialized diagnostics, we may send samples to our trusted reference laboratory. This option often provides a wider range of testing at a more economical cost, while still delivering accurate, reliable results.
Confident Decisions
Before any testing, we’ll explain why we’re recommending STAT or send out testing, what your pet’s results may tell us, and when you can expect to hear from us.
Careful Interpretation of Results
Diagnostic testing provides our veterinarians with valuable information, but the lab or imaging report doesn’t tell the complete story.
Because that requires knowing your pet.
Aqueduct Animal Hospital veterinarians interpret every result alongside your pet’s physical examination, medical history, lifestyle, and the understanding we’ve built through caring for them over time.
This broader perspective allows us to make recommendations tailored to them–not simply their results.
Deeper Understanding. Stronger Decisions.
Diagnostics aren’t about running more tests, but making better decisions for your pet. Whether your pet is feeling ill, living with a chronic condition, or simply due for a preventive screening test, we’ll break down every recommendation, every result, and every treatment option so you can make informed and confident choices about your pet’s care.