Pet Laboratory Testing

When your pet isn’t feeling well, PetCentre Animal Hospital utilizes advanced veterinary diagnostics and in-house pet blood testing to identify illness, monitor chronic conditions, and guide treatment decisions efficiently.

Book Appointment

What Is Veterinary Diagnostic Testing?

Veterinary diagnostics refers to the medical testing used to evaluate your pet’s internal health. These tests allow us to assess organ function, detect infection, identify inflammation, and uncover hidden disease before symptoms become severe.

At PetCentre, our in-house laboratory capabilities include:

Complete Blood Count (CBC): Evaluates red and white blood cells to detect infection, anemia, or immune issues
Blood Chemistry Panel: Assesses kidney, liver, electrolyte, and metabolic function
Thyroid Testing: Screens for hypothyroidism (dogs) and hyperthyroidism (cats)
Blood Gases Monitoring: Measures oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH levels to assess respiratory and metabolic function
Urinalysis: Detects urinary tract infections, kidney disease, or diabetes
Fecal Testing: Screens for intestinal parasites like roundworms, hookworms, and giardia
Heartworm and Tick-Borne Disease Testing
Cytology and Skin Scraping: Evaluates ear infections, masses, or skin irritations
Pre-Anesthetic Bloodwork: Ensures safe surgery and anesthesia planning
NU.Q Dog Blood Cancer Screening: Measures canine plasma nucleosome concentration to predict the likelihood of certain cancers

Diagnostic testing is often the first and most important step in creating an accurate treatment plan. Because our diagnostic equipment is located inside our hospital, we can often provide same-day results — reducing stress, accelerating treatment, and improving outcomes for your pet.

When Should My Pet Have Diagnostic Testing?

Many pet owners assume testing is only needed when their pet appears sick. In reality, diagnostic testing is valuable in several situations.

During Annual Wellness Exams

Baseline bloodwork allows us to detect early changes and monitor trends over time.

Before Surgery

Pre-anesthetic testing ensures organs can safely process anesthesia.

When Symptoms Appear

Vomiting, lethargy, appetite loss, weight changes, or increased thirst all warrant testing.

For Senior Pets

Older dogs and cats benefit from routine laboratory screening to catch age-related diseases early. Visit our Senior Pet Care page to learn how diagnostics support healthy aging.

Why In-House Diagnostics Matter

Speed and accuracy are critical in veterinary medicine. Because we perform laboratory testing onsite, we can:

Provide same-day results in many cases
Begin treatment immediately
Reduce unnecessary referrals
Improve emergency response time
Lower overall stress for pets and owners

When treating urgent conditions, such as those discussed on our Pet Urgent and Emergency Care page, immediate diagnostic access can significantly improve survival rates and recovery outcomes.

If your pet suffers from arthritis or chronic pain, visit our Pet Pain and Chronic Illness Management page to learn how diagnostics support treatment planning.

cat laying on an exam table wearing a collar

Advanced Diagnostics Backed by Experience and Precision

Accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective veterinary care. At PetCentre Animal Hospital, our in-house veterinary diagnostics and pet blood testing provide timely, reliable insight into your pet’s health. Serving families throughout the greater Manassas area, we combine modern laboratory technology with clinical experience to detect illness early, guide treatment confi dently, and support long-term wellness for dogs and cats alike.

Book Now

PetCentre Animal Hospital Services

Wellness & Preventive Care

Urgent & Emergency Care

Pet Resort

Puppy & Kitten Visits

Vaccines

Allergy Management

Laboratory Testing

Digital Imaging

Sick Pet Visits

Pain & Chronic Illness Management

Health Certificates

Veterinary Surgery

Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine

Senior Pet Care

Dental Care

Behavior & Nutritional Counseling

Laser Therapy

End-of-Life Care