Dog Diagnostic Services

See Beneath The Surface: Elevating patient care through advanced diagnostics

Diagnostics

We understand how upsetting it can be when your dog isn’t feeling well. Because our canine companions can’t tell us what’s wrong or where it hurts, we rely on advanced veterinary diagnostics to uncover what’s happening beneath the surface—safely, quickly, and accurately.

Early detection is key. By identifying illness or injury before it becomes more serious, we can begin treatment sooner—giving your dog the best chance at a swift, full recovery and helping you avoid more complex health issues down the line.

Our hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, allowing us to perform a wide range of tests on-site with fast, reliable results. From digital X-rays to bloodwork and ultrasound, we use these tools to get a clear picture of your dog’s health—without delay.

For more advanced or specialized testing, we partner with trusted veterinary diagnostic laboratories, IDEXX, VDx, UC Davis, Nextmune, VARL, Torigen, and Animal Biome, and can consult with board-certified clinical pathologists and other specialists as needed. This ensures your dog receives the highest standard of care, no matter how routine or complex their condition may be.

Your dog’s health and safety are always our top priority. If your dog isn’t acting like themselves or you just have a concern, we’re here to help with compassionate care and the diagnostics needed to get answers.

In-house Laboratory

Not just for peace of mind, but for starting the right treatment as soon as possible.

We’re proud to offer a fully equipped in-house laboratory, allowing us to perform many essential diagnostic tests quickly and efficiently. From routine bloodwork to specialized screenings, we’re able to assess your dog’s health in real time—helping us respond swiftly and effectively to any concerns.

Our in-house capabilities include:

Comprehensive blood panels, urinalysis, and urine cultures to evaluate organ function and overall wellness
Heartworm and tick-borne disease testing
Pancreatitis screenings, thyroid testing
Coagulation times
Microscopic evaluations for skin infections, ear issues, blood parasites, and even cancerous cells

For more complex diagnostics, we partner with trusted external veterinary laboratories, offering access to a wide range of advanced testing. With daily courier pickups, most results are processed quickly—often within 24 hours for urgent cases—so we can keep your dog’s care moving forward without unnecessary delays.

When it comes to your dog’s health, every moment counts. With our diagnostic resources and compassionate team, you can trust that your dog is in good hands—from the first signs of illness to a complete recovery.

Radiology

Safe, Precise Imaging for Peace of Mind

Radiographic imaging (commonly known as X-rays) is one of the most trusted and widely used diagnostic tools in veterinary medicine. By using a short burst of X-rays, we’re able to capture detailed images of your dog’s chest, abdomen, bones, and joints—helping us identify issues like pneumonia, heart failure, cancer, broken bones, or internal obstructions with speed and accuracy.

Your veterinarian may recommend X-rays if your dog is experiencing unexplained symptoms such as coughing, lameness, abdominal discomfort, or changes in appetite or energy levels.

A Closer Look at Dental Health

We also highly recommend dental x-rays for dogs undergoing oral care. These images allow us to examine the roots of each tooth and the surrounding bone—areas that can’t be seen during a routine dental exam. This is crucial for diagnosing painful issues like abscesses, infections, or hidden fractures.

Expert Care, Right Here When You Need It

To ensure the highest level of accuracy and care, we partner with Bay Area Veterinary Imaging, giving us access to board-certified veterinary radiologists. These specialists review all of our digital X-rays and perform in-depth ultrasound exams right here at our hospital when needed. Most results are available within 24 hours, allowing us to act quickly and begin the most appropriate treatment plan for your dog.

We’re also expanding our diagnostic capabilities to include video scoping, which allows us to visually examine your dog’s ears and nasal passages on-screen—making diagnosis even more precise and less invasive.

At Livermore Family Pet Hospital, your dog’s safety and comfort always come first. With our advanced imaging tools and expert team, you can rest assured that we’ll get the answers your dog needs—gently, thoroughly, and with the compassion they deserve.

Electrocardiography (ECG)

An ECG is a safe, non-invasive test that allows us to detect and monitor abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) and other cardiac conditions that could affect your dog’s overall well-being. It also plays a vital role in helping us ensure your dog’s safety during anesthesia and surgery, offering real-time insights into heart function throughout the procedure.

Whether your dog is experiencing unusual symptoms, requires monitoring before a procedure, or is being evaluated for a heart condition, our ECG technology helps us provide the most accurate, timely, and compassionate care possible.

When it comes to your dog’s heart, we leave nothing to chance. If you have concerns about your dog’s heart health or have questions about pre-surgical monitoring, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Otoscopy/Videoscopy

Sometimes the cause of your dog’s discomfort lies deep where we can’t see with the naked eye. That’s why we’re proud to offer advanced diagnostic tools like rigid otoscopy/videoscopy—minimally invasive techniques that allow us to look inside your dog’s nose, ears, and other specific areas safely and with precision.

These tools let us examine sensitive areas like the ear canals, nasal passages, vulva, prepuce, and the upper throat, helping us identify underlying health issues and provide fast, accurate care. They're especially helpful for detecting infections, inflammation, or growths, and they can even be used to gently remove foreign objects like foxtails or other small items—without the need for invasive surgery in many cases.

What makes this technology even more helpful is the ability to display real-time images on a screen, so we can clearly show you what’s happening and explain your dog’s condition and treatment options. This approach allows us to move forward with care decisions confidently and collaboratively.

When it comes to your dog’s health, seeing clearly means treating effectively. With otoscopy/videoscopy, we’re able to diagnose and treat internal issues with less discomfort, faster recovery, and greater peace of mind—for both you and your pet.