In-House Veterinary Laboratory in Springdale, AR
Southwest Pet Hospital is proud to operate a fully equipped in-house laboratory right here at our hospital. This means faster diagnoses, faster treatment, and better outcomes for your pet — without the wait. Call us at (479) 751-5601 to learn more or schedule an appointment today.
Fast, Accurate Diagnostics Right Here in Springdale
When your pet is not feeling well, time matters. At Southwest Pet Hospital, our in-house laboratory allows us to run a comprehensive range of diagnostic tests quickly and efficiently — often delivering results in minutes rather than making you wait a full day or more for an outside lab to return findings. Faster results mean faster answers, faster treatment, and a better chance at a full recovery for your pet.
Our laboratory is equipped to handle both routine and more complex diagnostics for dogs and cats in Springdale, AR and throughout the Northwest Arkansas area. Whether your pet needs a simple blood panel as part of a wellness exam or urgent testing during a sick visit, our team can get answers quickly and begin treatment without delay.
Diagnostic Tests Available in Our In-House Lab
Our laboratory is capable of running a wide variety of tests, including:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC): Evaluates red and white blood cell levels and platelet counts to assess for anemia, infection, inflammation, and other systemic conditions.
- Blood Chemistry Panel: Checks kidney function, liver function, blood glucose, electrolytes, and other key markers that provide a comprehensive picture of your pet’s internal organ health.
- Heartworm Testing: A simple blood test that detects heartworm infection in dogs and cats. Heartworm is a serious, potentially fatal condition that is prevalent in Arkansas — annual testing is strongly recommended.
- Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and FIV Testing: These common feline viruses can be detected quickly in-house, giving us the information we need to manage your cat’s health appropriately.
- Urinalysis: Examination of a urine sample can reveal kidney disease, diabetes, urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and other conditions.
- Fecal Parasite Testing: Checks for common intestinal parasites including roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, giardia, and coccidia.
- Pre-Anesthetic Bloodwork: Run before surgical procedures to ensure your pet’s organs are functioning well enough to safely handle anesthesia.
- Thyroid Testing: Especially important for senior cats, thyroid function testing helps detect hyperthyroidism — one of the most common conditions in aging felines.
Our in-house laboratory capabilities pair directly with our senior wellness and pain management protocols. For senior pets in particular, regular bloodwork is one of the most powerful tools we have for staying ahead of age-related health changes. And because we can run these tests right here in our hospital, you never have to wait and wonder.
If your dog or cat is showing signs of illness, is due for a wellness visit, or needs pre-surgical evaluation, contact Southwest Pet Hospital today. Call (479) 751-5601 or reach out online to schedule an appointment in Springdale, AR.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our In-House Veterinary Lab
Why does it matter that Southwest Pet Hospital has an in-house lab?
Having an on-site lab means we can deliver diagnostic results in minutes rather than sending samples to an outside facility and waiting a day or more. Faster results mean we can begin treating your sick pet much sooner, which can make a real difference in their recovery.
What kinds of tests can you run in your in-house lab?
Our laboratory handles CBC and blood chemistry panels, heartworm testing, FeLV/FIV testing, urinalysis, fecal parasite screening, thyroid testing, and pre-surgical bloodwork, among other diagnostics. Our team will recommend the appropriate tests based on your pet’s symptoms and health history.
How often should my pet have bloodwork done?
Most adult pets benefit from annual bloodwork as part of their wellness exam. Senior pets — generally dogs over 7 and cats over 10 — may benefit from bloodwork every six months to monitor organ function and catch age-related changes early. We will make specific recommendations based on your pet’s age and health status.
Does my healthy pet still need routine bloodwork?
Yes. Many conditions — including kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, and thyroid disorders — do not show obvious symptoms until they are already advanced. Routine bloodwork creates a health baseline and allows us to detect subtle changes before they become serious problems.
What is pre-anesthetic bloodwork and why is it required before surgery?
Pre-anesthetic bloodwork checks your pet’s organ function before they go under anesthesia. This helps ensure they can safely metabolize the anesthetic drugs and alerts us to any conditions that might affect how we manage their anesthesia. It is a critical safety step for every surgical patient.
Do you test for heartworm at Southwest Pet Hospital?
Yes. We offer in-house heartworm testing for both dogs and cats. Heartworm is a serious parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes and is prevalent in Arkansas. Annual testing is strongly recommended for all dogs, and heartworm prevention is essential year-round in our area.
How do I schedule laboratory testing for my pet?
Lab testing is often performed as part of a wellness visit, sick appointment, or pre-surgical consultation. Call us at (479) 751-5601 or schedule online through our Appointments page to get started.