Getting answers quickly matters when your pet is unwell. North Delta Animal Hospital provides on-site diagnostic services for dogs and cats in Delta and Surrey, with a strong in-house laboratory and imaging capability that supports timely, informed veterinary decisions. Our clinic is open seven days a week, Monday to Saturday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and our diagnostic services are available to both scheduled patients and same-day urgent care visits.
Our in-house laboratory supports a comprehensive range of blood and fluid analysis without the wait associated with sending samples to an external facility. Complete blood counts, biochemistry panels, urinalysis and urine culture, clotting factor assessments, and ACTH stimulation testing are among the in-house capabilities available. Snap testing provides rapid point-of-care results for conditions including heartworm exposure, tick-borne disease markers, and feline disease screening. Giardia testing and progesterone testing are also available in-house. Having a strong in-house laboratory means our veterinary team can begin discussing findings and next steps with you more quickly than if samples needed to be sent to an external facility.
Digital X-ray and ultrasound imaging give our veterinary team a view of internal structures that is not possible through physical examination alone. Digital X-rays are used to assess bones and joints, the chest cavity including the heart and lungs, and the abdominal organs. Ultrasound provides a real-time view of soft tissue structures, organ detail, and fluid presence within the body, and is particularly useful for assessing the abdomen and identifying structural changes that may not be visible on X-ray. Together, these imaging modalities give our team a more complete picture of what is happening inside your pet and help inform decisions about care or referral.
When a lump, mass, or skin change needs closer evaluation, cytology and fine needle aspirate (FNA) are practical on-site tools. A fine needle aspirate involves collecting a small sample of cells from a mass using a needle, which is then examined under a microscope. This process is generally quick and minimally invasive, and it can provide meaningful information about the nature of a mass before more involved decisions are made. Skin scraping is another assessment tool used to evaluate skin surface changes and identify parasitic or fungal involvement at a microscopic level. Microscopic evaluation for ear mites is also performed in-house.
Biopsy services are coordinated through our team and may be performed in-clinic or via referral depending on the case. Biopsy involves the collection of a tissue sample for histopathological assessment when a definitive diagnosis is needed beyond what cytology can provide.
Many common blood panels and point-of-care tests are processed in-house, which means turnaround is generally faster than sending samples to an external facility. This includes complete blood counts, biochemistry panels, urinalysis, and snap tests. Some specialised panels are sent to an external laboratory, and our team will let you know the expected turnaround time in those cases.
A fine needle aspirate involves using a small needle to collect a sample of cells from a lump or mass. The procedure is generally brief and most pets tolerate it well without sedation, though that depends on the pet's temperament and the location of the mass. The collected sample is examined under a microscope and can provide useful information about the nature of the tissue before any further steps are taken.
This depends on your pet's presentation and our schedule at the time. Calling ahead to let us know your concern is the best way to ensure our team is prepared and can advise whether imaging can be arranged during your visit or whether a follow-up appointment would be more appropriate.
Titre testing measures the level of antibodies in your pet's blood to specific diseases, which can give an indication of whether your pet has protective immunity from prior vaccination or natural exposure. It is an option for pet owners who would prefer an objective assessment of their pet's current immune status before making decisions about vaccine boosters. Our team can discuss whether titre testing is appropriate for your pet based on their vaccination history and lifestyle.
Answers start with the right tests. North Delta Animal Hospital offers on-site diagnostic services for dogs and cats in Delta and Surrey, seven days a week. Call our team at (604) 596-8252 to schedule a diagnostic visit or bring your pet in during clinic hours.
