Pet Diagnostics & Imaging in Lafayette, LA

Vet Med Animal Hospital provides in-house veterinary diagnostics and imaging for dogs, cats, and exotic pets in Lafayette, LA. Our on-site laboratory and digital radiography equipment allow our team to assess, diagnose, and begin treatment during the same appointment.

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Fast, Accurate Diagnostics Under One Roof

Accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective veterinary care. At Vet Med Animal Hospital, we’ve invested in in-house diagnostic capabilities that allow Dr. Tate and our team to gather critical information quickly and act on it without delay. Our laboratory handles a full range of blood and diagnostic tests, and our digital radiography system provides clear, detailed images of your pet’s internal structures—all available during your pet’s visit.

Our diagnostic capabilities support nearly every service we offer, from Pet Wellness & Preventive Care and Pet Vaccinations to Pet Soft Tissue Surgery and Pet Orthopedic Surgery.

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Our In-House Diagnostic Capabilities

Our laboratory and imaging equipment allow us to perform a wide range of diagnostic tests on-site. Here is an overview of what our Lafayette clinic offers for dogs, cats, and exotic pets.

In-House Laboratory

Complete blood counts, chemistry panels, urinalysis, fecal screening, and cytology—run and reviewed on-site during your pet’s visit.

Digital Radiography

High-quality digital X-rays for evaluating bones, joints, chest, and abdominal structures with clear imaging and immediate results.

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When Does Your Pet Need Diagnostic Testing?

Diagnostics aren’t just for sick pets—routine testing reveals what exams alone cannot

Diagnostic testing plays a role at every stage of your pet’s care. For healthy pets, routine bloodwork during annual or senior wellness visits establishes a baseline and helps detect early changes in organ function before symptoms appear. For pets showing signs of illness, diagnostics help our team identify the underlying cause quickly and accurately. And for pets managing chronic conditions, regular in-house monitoring allows our team to track disease progression and adjust treatment plans over time.

Learn more about how diagnostics support long-term disease management on our Pet Internal Medicine page.

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Same-Visit Results

Our in-house laboratory processes most panels during your pet’s appointment—so our team can review findings and discuss next steps before you leave.

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Pre-Surgical Screening

Bloodwork before elective and emergency procedures gives our surgical team the information needed to manage anesthesia safely and effectively.

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FAQs About Pet Diagnostics & Imaging

Here are answers to what Lafayette pet owners most commonly ask about veterinary diagnostics, bloodwork, and imaging.
What diagnostic services does Vet Med Animal Hospital offer in Lafayette?
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Vet Med Animal Hospital maintains a full in-house laboratory capable of running complete blood counts (CBC), chemistry panels, urinalysis, fecal screening, and cytology. We also offer digital radiography for evaluating bones, joints, and internal structures. Having these capabilities on-site means our team can generate results, review findings, and begin treatment planning during the same appointment—without sending samples to an outside lab or scheduling a separate imaging visit.

What does a complete blood count (CBC) tell the veterinarian about my pet?
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A complete blood count measures the number and characteristics of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in your pet's blood. Red blood cell counts, white blood cell counts, and platelet counts give our team a broad picture of your pet's overall health and can flag problems that aren't yet visible through physical examination alone. CBCs are commonly included in wellness bloodwork panels, pre-anesthetic screening, and diagnostic workups for sick pets.
What is a chemistry panel, and why is it important?
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A chemistry panel evaluates the function of your pet's major organ systems by measuring specific proteins, enzymes, electrolytes, and metabolites in the blood. Key values include kidney markers such as BUN and creatinine, liver enzymes, blood glucose, and thyroid levels in some panels. Chemistry panels are particularly valuable for monitoring pets with chronic conditions like kidney disease, diabetes, or liver dysfunction, and for confirming that organ function is adequate before anesthesia.
When does my pet need X-rays?
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Digital radiographs are used in a variety of situations at Vet Med Animal Hospital. For orthopedic concerns—such as lameness, suspected fractures, or joint disease—X-rays allow our team to visualize bone structure and identify abnormalities. Radiographs are also used as part of pre-surgical planning and in the diagnostic workup for many internal medicine cases. Because our imaging is digital, results are available immediately for review during your pet's appointment.
Does my pet need bloodwork before surgery?
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Pre-anesthetic bloodwork is strongly recommended before any surgical procedure—elective or emergency. Bloodwork allows our team to evaluate kidney and liver function, which directly affects how your pet processes anesthetic medications. It also identifies anemia, infection, electrolyte imbalances, or other conditions that could increase anesthetic risk.
How often should my pet have routine bloodwork done?
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For most adult dogs and cats, annual bloodwork as part of a wellness visit is a reasonable baseline. Senior pets—generally those seven years and older—may benefit from bloodwork every six months, since age-related changes in organ function can occur relatively quickly. Pets managing chronic conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes, or thyroid disorders typically require more frequent monitoring to track disease progression and evaluate treatment effectiveness.

Learn more about our senior wellness packages on our Pet Wellness & Preventive Care page.