Pet care services at Midtown Veterinary Hospital in Victoria form the foundation of every healthy dog and cat’s life. Open Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 12 PM to 8 PM on Burnside Road, our team provides preventive care that catches health concerns early, keeps your pet protected from common parasites, and builds a relationship between your pet and our veterinarians that makes every visit easier. From your puppy’s first vaccines to your senior dog’s annual wellness check, investing in routine preventive care is the most effective thing you can do for your pet’s long-term health.
A complete blood count (CBC) and general chemistry panel provide a detailed look at your pet's overall health by measuring red and white blood cells, platelets, kidney function, liver enzymes, blood sugar, protein levels, and other key markers. Bloodwork is recommended at annual wellness visits, before surgical procedures, and whenever a pet is showing unexplained signs of illness. In-house blood panels give us results within the appointment, allowing us to discuss findings with you the same day. Changes in bloodwork over time are often more informative than a single result, which is why consistent annual testing matters.
Digital radiography allows our veterinarians to visualize bones, joints, and internal organs quickly and clearly. X-rays are used to evaluate fractures, joint disease, foreign bodies in the digestive tract, chest conditions affecting the heart and lungs, and abdominal organ size and positioning. Digital images can be captured and reviewed within seconds and, where needed, shared electronically with veterinary specialists for consultation. We take both standing and positional X-rays depending on what is being assessed. Radiography is a core part of both our urgent care and planned diagnostic work-ups.
Ultrasound provides real-time imaging of internal organs including the liver, kidneys, spleen, bladder, gastrointestinal tract, and reproductive organs. Unlike X-rays, ultrasound allows visualization of soft tissue structures and organ detail not visible on radiographs. It is used to evaluate organ size and texture, identify masses or cysts, assess fluid accumulation, and guide sampling procedures such as fine needle aspiration. Abdominal ultrasound is a key part of our advanced diagnostic work-ups and is available in-house for your pet's assessment at our Victoria clinic.
A urine sample analysis provides valuable information about kidney function, bladder health, hydration status, and the presence of infection, crystals, or glucose. Urinalysis is included in many wellness panels, recommended for pets showing signs of increased drinking or urination, and used to monitor pets with known kidney or bladder conditions. Fresh samples are most informative, and we can guide you on how to collect a sample at home or obtain one at the clinic. Urine cultures may be recommended if infection is suspected.
Rapid in-house snap tests allow our team to detect specific infections quickly at the point of care. We use snap tests for canine parvovirus, heartworm in dogs, feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) in cats, and pancreatitis in both dogs and cats. Results are available within minutes and allow appropriate management to begin immediately without waiting for an external laboratory. Snap tests are particularly valuable for new pets, cats entering a multi-cat household, and dogs with unexplained gastrointestinal illness.
When a lump, skin lesion, or tissue change requires a definitive answer about its nature, a biopsy provides the histopathology result needed to guide next steps. We perform incisional and excisional biopsies under appropriate sedation or anesthesia, and fine needle aspirations for preliminary cellular assessment of masses. All biopsy samples are submitted to an external veterinary pathology laboratory. We will contact you with results and discuss the findings in detail, including any further steps recommended based on the pathology report. Biopsies are offered as a planned procedure and are also available on a same-day basis when findings require prompt attention.
Our diagnostic range also includes histopathology of surgically removed tissue, fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) for mass assessment, ear cytology to identify the type and cause of ear infections, fecal parasite testing, skin scraping for mite and fungal assessment, titer testing to assess immune status to specific diseases, progesterone testing for breeders, endocrinology panels for hormonal conditions, tonometry to measure intraocular pressure for glaucoma assessment, geriatric panels for senior pet health monitoring, clotting factor assessment before surgery, and parasitology. Echocardiography is available through a visiting veterinary cardiology specialist. Pre-booking is required for the echocardiogram.
In-house blood panels provide results during your appointment, typically within 15 to 30 minutes. Tests sent to an external laboratory are returned within 24 to 72 hours depending on the test. We will tell you at the time of the visit which tests are being run in-house and which require an external laboratory, and we follow up with results as soon as they are available.
Yes, we generally recommend fasting for 8 to 12 hours before a blood panel for the most accurate results. Water is fine. Some tests are not affected by fasting, and in urgent situations we will run bloodwork regardless. If you are unsure, call us at (778) 775-8387 when booking and we will advise based on what is being assessed.
A fine needle aspirate (FNA) uses a small needle to collect cells from a mass for cytological evaluation under a microscope. It is quick and usually requires no sedation. A biopsy removes a tissue sample for histopathology, which provides more detailed structural information about the tissue. FNA gives a preliminary assessment. A biopsy provides the definitive answer in most cases.
Any new, growing, or changing mass should be evaluated. FNA is often the first step, providing information about the cell type. If the FNA is inconclusive or the mass has features that raise concern, a biopsy is recommended. Our general advice is to assess lumps early, while they are small, when the procedure is simpler and recovery is faster.
To book a diagnostic appointment for your dog or cat at Midtown Veterinary Hospital in Victoria, call (778) 775-8387 or book online at https://petportal.vet/midtown-veterinary-hospital/appointment/request. We offer same-day diagnostic appointments for urgent presentations and scheduled work-ups for planned evaluations. New clients are welcome.
