Veterinary Diagnostics for Dogs and Cats in Silver Spring, MD
When something seems off, answers shouldn't take days.
Veterinary medicine works through a process of ruling things out, and diagnostics play a key role. While a physical exam might point toward several possible explanations for what a pet is experiencing, an exam alone often isn't enough to diagnose the problem. Bloodwork shows what's happening inside organ systems that can't be examined by hand. X-rays show what can't be assessed by touch. Each result either closes a door or opens a clearer path forward. By the time Dr. Adelman is recommending a treatment plan, it's built on what the evidence actually shows, not on what seemed most likely before the results came in.
At Layhill Animal Hospital, most tests are run in-house, and results are usually back the same day or the next day. When they come in, Dr. Adelman calls you himself to walk through what the results show and what they mean for your pet. You can ask him questions directly, get clarification on anything that's unclear, and leave the call knowing what happens next.
The Diagnostic Process at Layhill Animal Hospital
At Layhill, diagnostics are part of a deliberate sequence of how we determine what’s going on with your pet:
- Exam first. Dr. Adelman examines your pet and identifies what needs a closer look. The exam determines which diagnostics, if any, are worth running. Labwork is ordered when the exam raises a specific question a test can help answer.
- Diagnostics next. In-house bloodwork and X-ray results are available the same day. Dr. Adelman reviews all results with you directly: what was found, what it means, and what it rules out.
- Treatment informed by findings. Treatment is not recommended until there's a reason for it.
Some diagnoses are more elusive and require the assistance of a specialist. If that’s the case, Dr. Adelman will tell you what additional testing might help and what a referral would look like.
In-House Laboratory
Blood panels run in-house check how the major organ systems are functioning: kidneys, liver, pancreas, and blood cell counts, etc.
Bloodwork is typically used for:
- Wellness screening
- Pre-anesthetic testing before surgery or dental procedures
- Sick visits where organ function or systemic disease is suspected
- Monitoring pets on long-term medications.
X-Rays
X-rays give Dr. Adelman a view of what can't be assessed by feel or observation: the lungs, heart size, abdominal organs, and bones and joints. They're used in sick visits when something needs a closer look. Dr. Adelman reviews the findings with you the same day.
When Diagnostics Are Recommended
Not every visit needs bloodwork or imaging. Dr. Adelman recommends diagnostics when they would help to confirm a diagnosis, rule something out, or affect the treatment plan. If a test wouldn't add useful information, it won't be recommended.
For senior pets, routine bloodwork becomes more consistently useful because age-related conditions develop faster and earlier detection matters more.
Frequently Asked Questions About Diagnostics at Layhill Animal Hospital
Most routine bloodwork is processed on-site, including a complete blood count (CBC), full chemistry panel, thyroid testing, SDMA for kidney function, BNP for heart health, and CPL/FPL for pancreatic health. Heartworm and tick-borne disease testing are also done in-house, along with ear and skin cytology. Urinalysis and fecal samples are sent to an outside lab. Samples from lumps and bumps are always sent to a board-certified veterinary pathologist, because an expert review on those results matters more than speed.
Yes. Layhill uses digital radiography for chest, abdominal, and orthopedic imaging. Digital X-rays produce clearer images than film and can be adjusted on-screen for a better look at specific structures. When a second set of eyes would help, images can be sent to a board-certified veterinary radiologist for review.
Fasting is usually required before bloodwork so that recent food doesn't affect the results. When Dr. Adelman recommends labwork, the team will tell you exactly how long your pet should go without food before the appointment. Water is fine.
It depends on what body part is being imaged, your pet's condition, and how your pet handles being held still. Hip and knee X-rays always require sedation, because correct positioning is critical for an accurate read and those positions aren't comfortable for an awake patient. Many chest and abdominal X-rays can be taken without sedation. If sedation is recommended, Dr. Adelman will walk you through why before anything happens.
For most cats and dogs, routine senior bloodwork becomes consistently useful around age 9, though breed plays a role. Larger dogs age faster and often benefit from earlier screening. How often bloodwork is repeated depends on what's going on with your pet. A healthy senior might be screened annually, while a pet being monitored for an ongoing condition may need more frequent checks. Dr. Adelman sets the schedule based on the pet in front of him, not a fixed template.
Dr. Adelman calls you himself to go over every result. He'll explain what the tests showed, what it means for your pet, and what the next step is, if any. You can ask questions directly on that call instead of waiting for a message to be relayed through the front desk or a voicemail callback.
New clients are welcome at Layhill Animal Hospital. Call (301) 598-7300 or request an appointment online.