This is where we run all of our in-house tests such as Heartworm/Lyme/Erhlichia/Anaplasmosis tests, Feline Leukemia/FIV tests, earsmears, fecal analysis, urinalysis, etc.

This is where we run all of our pre-operative bloodwork for our surgical patients as well as emergency bloodwork for our sick patients.

 Microscopic Find #1: 

 This is a picture taken from underneath our microscope of a nymph Lonestar Tick.  Actual size of this tick in the nymph stage is about the size of the tip of a ball-point pen.

For more information on tick-bourne diseases and prevention ask your veterinarian or visit www.petsandparasites.org

Microscopic Find #2:

Another picture from our microscope. Looks less scary, but can actually be harmful to your pet.  This is Coccidia, an intestinal parasite that causes diarrhea, weight loss, and dehydration. 

For more information on intestinal parasites and prevention ask your Veterinarian or visit www.petsandparasites.org

Microscopic Find #3

This microscope picture is of a Strongyle (Roundworm) egg found in sheep feces.  We used a colored stain so you can see the inside of the egg more clearly.  Roundworms are also found in cat and dog feces, but the microscopic eggs look much different.

 Microscopic Find #4

This picture we took from the same sheep stool sample.  It is a much more rare find.  This egg may look different from the one above, but it is actually a Strongyle (Roundworm) in a different, more progressed stage of life.  This is a larvae just before it hatches and the infective stage begins.

Microscopic Find #5

We used an in-house fungal culture, grown over the course of 2 weeks, to capture this picture.  This is what ringworm looks like under the microscope.

Microscopic Find #6

This picture may look pretty, but it can, in fact, make the bladder very painful.  These tiny crystals found in urinary sediment are known as Struvite crystals.  Struvite crystals can cause a number of urinary issues and sometimes need to be surgically flushed and removed from the bladder.

Microscopic Find #7

These small, peanut-like structures, are actually yeast.  Because yeast like warm, damp places, they love and thrive in ears... especially those of dogs that are frequent swimmers or dogs with floppy ears.  However, yeast can occasionally be found on the skin. Whether in the ears, or on the skin, we can easily diagnose yeast with a single slide.

Microscopic Find #8

This creepy crawler can also be found in the ears.  However, it is more commonly found in cat ears and is rarely seen in dog ears.  This is an ear mite.  Ear mites often appear like dark coffee grounds in the ear.  One swab of the ear and these guys can't hide from us for long. 

Microscopic Find #9

Believe it or not, this an ear mite egg.  An ear mite larvae will soon emerge from this egg if proper treatment is not received.

Microscopic Find #10

This is an external mite that lives on the skin called Demodex.  Typically causes hairloss around eyes, on face, feet and ears.

Microscopic Find #11

This is what we refer to as Rods.  Typically found in a deep ear infection of a dog.  Sometimes has an odor and almost always cause severe ear scratching or head shaking.