The Benefits of an In-House Laboratory

Benefits of an In-House Laboratory by our El Paso Veterinarians

Pet owners in El Paso are fortunate to have the peace of mind that comes from a local veterinary hospital with an onsite laboratory. TLC Animal Hospital, home to Dr. Alfredo Lara and Dr. Vicki Dashley, has an in-house lab that can significantly reduce the time to diagnose health issues.

When A Laboratory Matters Most

As they grow, our pets need many of the same medical tests we need. Medical doctors recommend different lab tests for children, adults, and the elderly. Our pets also need a standard battery of tests at different life stages. Most veterinarians send blood and urine samples to an outside laboratory; samples have to be collected by a certain time in order to be back the following day, or even later. So you wait for a call letting you know if all is well. An onsite veterinary laboratory means you often have the results of laboratory tests immediately, or within hours.

An in-house laboratory matters most when your pet has a serious problem or an emergency. If your pet isn’t eating well, is losing weight, and maybe vomiting, two (of many) possible causes are diabetes and pancreatitis. Both are serious, and earlier treatment is critical. TLC Animal Hospital can test for these diseases, often while you wait, and your pet can start treatment a day or two earlier. Time matters.

Tests Our Laboratory Can Perform

For the healthy pet reaching a new “life stage,” our veterinarians may recommend a CBC (Complete Blood Count), and heartworm and intestinal parasite tests. Pets showing symptoms of disease can be tested for a wide range of problems, including liver damage, Addison’s Disease, diabetes, thyroid problems, and Lyme disease, to name a few. Our website has a fairly complete list of our capabilities (https://www.tlcvetelpaso.com/laboratory-services).

Call for an Appointment!

Whether your pet is due for a complete checkup or showing signs of illness that concern you, contact TLC Animal Hospital at 915-592-6200. In El Paso, Dr. Lara and Dr. Dashley offer a wide range of laboratory services that fit your pet’s needs.