We take pride in the fact that, rather than send your pet’s samples to another laboratory, we can perform important tests right here in our own facility. We expedite the diagnostic process because the TotalBond Way means that relationships make the difference. Especially in cases where time is of the essence, our goal is to get you the information you need as soon as we can, from the data we collect, to the conclusions we draw.
Since our laboratory is located within our hospital at TotalBond Veterinary Hospital at Bethel, we can ensure you that not only are we providing the best attention to detail, but also quick turnaround time on results. We understand waiting for results can be stressful, that’s why we make every effort to deliver those results as quickly as we can without sacrificing our quality service.
We manage a variety of diagnostic tests here at TotalBond Veterinary Hospital at Bethel, including blood work which helps us get a glimpse into your pet’s overall health. We might request other kinds of lab tests to confirm a diagnosis based on your pet’s symptoms or behavior. Below are a few common lab tests we conduct right here at TotalBond Bethel:
This general panel tests for how healthy your pet’s organs function. In some cases, this test will be conducted on a before/after basis to identify how pets respond to treatment options or changes to behavior or diet.
Scheduling regular urine tests can give your veterinarian a lot of helpful information to not only diagnose problems, but prevent future health issues in your pet. Urine tests will also help catch diseases or infections that are early enough to treat.
Similar to urine tests, fecal exams can give veterinarians a lot of helpful information into your pet’s health, including parasites, problems with pancreas, digestive issues, internal bleeding, and more. We recommend pet parents bring in fecal samples to annual exams for analysis.
Blood is composed to white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. A complete blood count (CBC) can help us identify any issues in your pet, including inflammation, anemia, infection, and cancer.
If your pet may have picked up a fungus or parasite, a skin scrapings test might be necessary. This procedure is very common and may be suggested during your visit.
Commonly known as x-rays, radiographs are an invaluable diagnostic tool that provides images of the musculoskeletal system, lungs and heart. X-ray technology can help our doctors and staff see what is beyond the surface of your pet’s health. This non-invasive procedure is less dangerous for your pet especially when diagnosing afflictions such as arthritis, bone fractures, and pneumonia.
When a pet needs a radiograph, it is typically a quick and harmless appointment. X-rays expose the patient to an x-ray beam which then takes a photo of its distribution as it passes through the body. Although you may see our staff donning x-ray gear during the x-ray, the amount of exposure is harmless to pets. In most cases, x-rays can be done when the pet is awake, although we may require sedation if we feel it is needed.
Once the x-ray is finished, we will send the radiograph to a radiologist for review. This usually only takes a few hours and we will call you once the results are in.
At TotalBond Veterinary Hospital at Bethel, we use ultrasound technology that allows us to see clear, real-time images of your pet’s organs, abdominal area, and chest. We love ultrasounds because rather than taking just a static picture of your pet’s internal organs and systems, ultrasounds allow us to see them in real-time as they perform their various functions. We can watch the heart beat, see the lungs working, and watch for anything out of the ordinary in the abdominal area.
Like pregnancy ultrasounds in humans, our ultrasounds involve applying a cool gel onto your pet’s skin and gliding an electronic probe across the area. This probe sends gentle sound waves into your pet’s body, which are used like sonar to create an image of what’s inside.
Generally, conducting ultrasounds on your pet is a procedure that takes under an hour. It’s completely painless and non-invasive, and our team will work carefully to keep your pet calm and comfortable throughout the entire procedure. Because the procedure is painless and risk-free, we don’t administer general anesthesia. If your pet is having trouble staying calm despite our consistent praise, scratches, and comforting, we may consult you about giving them a light sedative for the procedure. We never administer sedatives of any kind without consulting you first.
Often, your pet’s veterinarian will use a combination of x-ray imaging and ultrasounds to develop as clear a picture as possible of what may be going on with your pet (if anything). That allows us to give an informed diagnosis, develop a plan moving forward, and keep you informed on exactly what your pet is dealing with or whether everything is perfectly normal and healthy.
Just like people, pets can have allergies and skin issues too. We understand these issues in pets can cause stress, both mentally and physically. Generally, we refer to any condition causing skin inflammation, dermatitis. Dermatitis can be caused by several factors, including external irritants, infection, allergens, and internal disease. It’s also important to note that some pets might have a genetic predisposition to certain types of allergies and skin sensitivities.
It’s important to pay attention to your pet’s behavior if you suspect allergies or a skin condition. If these irritants are left untreated, what started as an itch can escalate to physical pain and mental stress. Our team at TotalBond Veterinary Hospital at Bethel can help your pet reclaim their mental and physical wellbeing.
As you may know, allergens can be found everywhere: in the food we consume, the air we breathe, and even the environment we live in. Some of the most common allergens include weeds, grasses, flowers, grains and wheat, perfumes, protein sources, and cleaners.
If your pet is showing any of the following signs, we highly encourage you to make an appointment with one of our doctors to help give your pet the relief they need:
During a dermatology appointment, we’ll perform a physical exam to assess the skin, nails and coat’s condition. Also, be prepared to answer questions about any symptoms you’ve observed, sudden changes at home, and more. We will then recommend any diagnostic tests we think would be beneficial for your pet, which may include blood samples, allergy tests, or skin scrapings. Each of these tests will be processed in our diagnostic laboratory, which will allow us to return results to you faster.
It’s important to note that pets are oftentimes allergic to multiple variants, and treatment plans can be multi-faceted. Some treatment options include topical creams, oral medications, injections, dietary changes, and more. Our team at TotalBond Veterinary Hospital at Bethel will work with you to provide your pet with the most effective treatment option.
At TotalBond Veterinary Hospital at Bethel, we are happy to consult with you on your pet’s allergy and dermatology needs. We practice basic veterinary dermatology, however, we are no veterinary dermatology specialists. Advanced cases will be referred to a local veterinary dermatologist.
An echocardiogram uses ultrasound waves to create an image of the heart in real time. At TotalBond Veterinary Hospital at Bethel, we use echocardiograms to diagnose heart disease in pet patients. They’re very effective because they let us get a real-time look at the heart so that we can watch it pump, work its valves and more. We can see whether the heart is functioning the way it should, and if not, what might be causing the dysfunction.
We often use echocardiograms alongside x-rays and bloodwork to get a complete picture of what’s going on with your pet’s heart so we can give the most informed diagnosis and path forward possible.
Most pets don’t need to be sedated or given general anesthesia for an echocardiogram. They simply lie down on a table, are given lots of love and affection from our team, and are gently restrained for about 20 minutes while the echocardiogram is taken. If your pet is severely anxious and won’t sit still for that period, we’ll talk to you before we take any other steps like sedation.
Pets also generally don’t need to be shaved for an echocardiogram. Dogs with extremely thick, heavy coats will sometimes need to have small hair patches shaved so that we can get a clear image of the heart. We’ll never shave any part of your pet’s fur without consulting with you first and receiving your approval.
Overall, echocardiography is a painless, non-invasive, and relatively quick way to have an in-depth look at your pet’s heart. It requires no special preparation from your pet in terms of dietary or exercise restrictions. There’s also no delay between the echocardiogram being taken and getting results— your TotalBond Veterinary Hospital at Bethel veterinarian will be able to meet with you immediately afterward and discuss what they’ve found, diagnosis, and next steps.
We're located in Lake Wylie, in York County, SC, easily accessible to Gaston and Mecklenburg Counties, NC. Our clinic is right off Hwy 49, half an hour from downtown Charlotte.
Phone: 803-831-1318
