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Thunder Bay Veterinary Urgent Care Thunder Bay Veterinary Urgent Care

Phone: (989) 340-0975
Address: 3463 M-32, , Alpena, MI 49707
Email:

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Emergency Diagnostics
and Treatment

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Thunder Bay Veterinary Urgent Care specializes in weekend-only, immediate cases. Whether your pet is sick or injured, we have the in-house diagnostic tools to be able to provide quick and efficient diagnosis and treatment when your pet needs it most.

On-Site Laboratory

We can catch various types of infections with laboratory equipment, as well as cancers, and illnesses that can’t be detected by a physical assessment alone. Our complete on-site laboratory allows us to get fast results so we can quickly take next steps with any necessary treatment.

Some of the diagnostics we are able to run on-site are:

  • Urine Drug Screening—Is Fido acting suddenly dazed and confused? A simple urine test can screen for THC, an active ingredient in marijuana products! Marijuana ingestion can cause incoordination, lethargy, vomiting, and urination. Veterinarians are seeing an increase in pets who have sampled these types of herbal products. Quick diagnosis helps put your mind at ease.
  • Urinalysis—Did you know that we see an increase in diagnosed urinary tract infections in the winter? The snow makes it easier for pet caretakers to identify bloody urine! If you suddenly see bloody urine or your pet straining to urinate, we're able to quickly identify infections and stones using our in-house diagnostics. A small urine sample is all it takes for the SediVue Dx Urine Sediment Analyzer to take photos of white blood cells, blood, crystals, and bacteria. You'll be on your way with medicines to make things better in a jiffy!
  • Blood Gas Tests—A great specialty test we offer for critical patients is blood gas analysis. This test gives us vital information about the pH of the blood and how well the body is getting oxygen. Blood gas testing is excellent for helping us diagnose certain conditions including ingestion of antifreeze (ethylene glycol) and something foreign stuck in the stomach or proximal intestines.
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC) and Chemistry Profiles—Including those that impact organ function, immunity, metabolism, and electrolyte balance
  • Fecal Testing—Perhaps your furry friend’s intestinal issues are due to an unwelcome parasite. Fecal Testing allows us to identify or rule out parasites or worms if your pet is experiencing gastrointestinal upset. We may ask you to bring a fresh sample with you if you can.
  • Cytology—This test allows us to test your pet’s tissue for the presence of infection or even cancer.
 
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Ultrasound and X-ray

In addition to our in-house lab, we have ultrasound and X-ray on site. These tools allow us to look inside your pet’s body and scan for any obstructions, broken bones, or foreign objects.

  • Ultrasound—Ultrasounds are useful because it’s a painless way to look inside the body in real time and allows us to identify things like bladder stones, tumors, and fluid in the chest or abdomen. Our favorite use is when we can assess the health of babies inside mom!
  • X-ray—Our digital X-rays provide clear images of your pet’s body and potential blockages, broken bones, or other physical obstructions. Our dental X-rays help to identify issues below the gum line that may be causing your pet pain.

Our primary goal is always to diagnose and treat your pet as efficiently and quickly as possible. Please call us during open hours if you believe your pet is having a medical emergency.