Radiography
Our in-house radiography equipment includes a high quality processor, an automatic developer and a X-ray table with floating top, bucky grid and an angling facility. All these enable us to produce good diagnostic radiographs which play an important part in the determination of many illnesses and injuries. For example, foreign objects, fractured bones and tumours can be located on a radiograph and quickly treated as all the facilities are on the premises. Occasionally additional methods are required to confirm diagnosis; contrast studies are used to help establish an exact condition.

The use of barium when taking a radiograph will highlight the digestive tract and indicate any blockage and air introduced into the bladder along with a radio-paque dye will help diagnose a tumour.

Radiographs are an essential diagnostic aid and by having good quality equipment in the surgery your pet can be treated quickly and efficiently.

ECG
We have the facilities to carry out electrocardiograms here at Elm Cottage. This procedure is used for the diagnosis of heart conditions. Nowadays we are also able to send the ECG signal down the telephone line to a cardiac specialist who will send a report the same day. This is a fast and efficient service which enables us to start the patient on the required treatment immediately.

Ultrasound
Some great news for our practice and you, our customers! We now have a wonderful new ultrasound machine which we are using as a complementary imaging tool to radiography.

Ultrasound has the advantage that it is painless and safe to the patient, so can be used in the conscious patient without the need for sedation or anaesthesia.

Ultrasonography can differentiate between soft tissue and fluid, which radiography cannot and it produces a moving picture, which is invaluable in the assessment of cardiac function. It is also a wonderful technique for pregnancy diagnosis.

Ultrasound can also be used for biopsies or fine-needle aspirations of small diseased areas within the organs. Since the internal organ architecture and the needle can both be seen, the needle can be guided into the affected area without damaging other structures. This technique can often be performed with a conscious patient and voids the need for surgical biopsy.

We are all very excited about this new machine, as it will benefit many of our patients and will aid diagnosis.

Endoscopy
The use of an endoscope enables us to look at areas not immediately accessible to us. For example, by passing an endoscope down a patient’s throat we can see if there are any blockages, inflammation or infection. We are also able to take swab samples which can then be cultured or examined under a microscope to help with the diagnosis. We are able to use two types of endoscope here at Elm Veterinary Group, a rigid one and a flexible one.

Ultrasonic Dental Scaler
This provides a fast and efficient method of teeth scaling. The mobile dental machine deals with scaling and removal of plaque and has a tooth cutter for a less painful removal of diseased molar teeth plus a polisher for cleansing and freshening teeth. Most patients requiring dental treatment are elderly and the scaler reduces the anaesthetised time.

Laboratory
Our in-house laboratory enables us to carry out many blood, urine and faecal tests: these provide information with respect to kidney and liver functions, diabetes or pyometra (infection of the uterus) or even when would be the best time to mate your bitch. The results are available within approximately 10 minutes, which could be life saving because the vet can immediately commence any treatment that is required. Urine analysis will identify the presence of crystals (a cause of urethral obstruction). Faecal examination will determine whether or not worm eggs are present. Our laboratory can provide a considerable number of tests. Other tests may need to be carried out on different equipment and, when this is considered necessary, samples are sent to specialist laboratories: delay is
minimal.