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Diagnostics & Imaging

Advanced diagnostics like bloodwork, X-rays, and ultrasound help us catch issues early and treat them quickly.

Diagnostics & Imaging: Getting Answers, Guiding Better Care
When your pet isn’t feeling their best—or when something just seems “off”—diagnostics and imaging help us find the answers quickly and accurately. These tools allow veterinarians to see what’s happening inside your pet’s body without invasive procedures, making it easier to diagnose illnesses, monitor ongoing conditions, and plan effective treatments.

Why Are Diagnostics Important?

Pets can’t tell us what’s wrong, and early signs of illness are often subtle. Advanced diagnostics help us catch problems early—when they’re most treatable—and ensure we’re not guessing when it comes to your pet’s health.

Whether it’s a routine wellness check or something more urgent, in-house diagnostics give your veterinarian a clearer picture of your pet’s internal health.

What Types of Diagnostic Services Do We Offer?

Our hospital offers a wide range of diagnostic and imaging tools, including:

Bloodwork & Lab Testing

  • Complete Blood Count (CBC)

  • Blood chemistry panels (organ function, electrolytes)

  • Thyroid and hormone testing

  • Tick-borne disease screening

  • Feline leukemia/FIV testing

  • Heartworm testing

Urinalysis & Fecal Testing

  • Detects infections, crystals, or signs of kidney issues

  • Screens for internal parasites, Giardia, and more

Digital Radiology (X-Rays)

  • High-quality imaging of bones, chest, abdomen, and joints

  • Useful for identifying fractures, arthritis, foreign bodies, tumors, or lung disease

Ultrasound Imaging

  • Offers a real-time look at soft tissues like the liver, bladder, kidneys, or heart

  • Ideal for detecting fluid buildup, tumors, pregnancy, or organ changes

In-House Laboratory

  • Fast turnaround for urgent or same-day cases

  • Supports more accurate diagnosis and quicker treatment decisions

When Might Your Pet Need Imaging or Lab Tests?

  • Vomiting or diarrhea

  • Limping or pain

  • Labored breathing or coughing

  • Weight loss or appetite changes

  • Lethargy or behavioral changes

  • Monitoring chronic illnesses

  • Pre-surgical evaluations or senior wellness screening

What to Expect

Your veterinarian will walk you through the purpose of each test or imaging recommendation, what the results may tell us, and next steps. Most procedures are non-invasive, and we prioritize your pet’s comfort and safety throughout.

Diagnostics are the bridge between symptoms and solutions. With accurate, timely results, we can provide the best possible care for your pet—whether it’s for peace of mind or urgent treatment.

🐾 Looking to keep your pet healthy and happy? Visit us—we’re here to support every step of the way.

Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center FAQs

There is no question too big or too small for our veterinary team.

Cats may stop using their litter box for many reasons, including behavioral issues like disliking odors in multi-cat homes or signaling that the box needs cleaning. Medical causes can include bladder infections, crystals, kidney stones, or chronic diarrhea. Senior cats may also struggle with boxes that are too high due to joint pain. If your cat suddenly avoids the box or cries out when trying to use it, it could signal a serious problem such as a urinary blockage and should be evaluated right away. The caring team at Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center is here to diagnose the cause and help your cat get back to feeling comfortable and healthy.

Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center must be sure your pet is healthy enough to receive vaccinations. Vaccinating a sick patient could make their condition worse or even be life-threatening! Depending upon your pet's overall health, your veterinarian may recommend splitting annual vaccinations into two visits to lessen the possibility of complications.

As with humans, preventative medicine and early detection are keys to health and longevity. Our pets age at a far faster rate than we do. Taking your dog or cat for an annual physical examination here at Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center is the equivalent of you seeing your doctor or dentist every 5-7 years. Only a full physical examination by a veterinarian can accurately assess the health of your pet and identify potential problems. If you have a senior pet (6+ years), we recommend exams twice a year for optimal care and health.

It's usually hard to tell by yourself at home, so please call us and describe what you're seeing. Signs of illness can include a significant decrease in appetite or activity level, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, limping, itching or losing hair, or eyes looking abnormal. Signs of emergencies can include trouble breathing, trauma, bleeding, stumbling, seizing, difficulty delivering puppies or kittens, and many eye problems. Call Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center immediately (603-642-9700) if you see any of these symptoms.

NH and MA state law (along with many other states) now requires that all cats and dogs be current on rabies vaccinations. If an animal is not known to be vaccinated against the disease and bites someone, NH and MA state law require a mandatory 15-day quarantine period. Additionally, if an animal is unvaccinated and bites someone, the state may require your animal to be euthanized and tested for rabies, and the owner can be held liable for any personal injury claims stemming from the bite. All good reasons to have your pet vaccinated against rabies! For your convenience, we offer both 1 & 3-year rabies vaccinations. For all other vaccines, Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center recommends vaccinating your pet once a year (especially if they go outside at all) to ensure they remain healthy should they become exposed to any disease preventable through current vaccinations. For more specific protocols, please consult with one of our veterinarians.

Call Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center hospital to receive a recorded message for the emergency hospitals we refer to. We typically refer to the Intown Veterinary Group.