Traditional Veterinary Medicine

At Marina Veterinary Center, we take a traditional approach to pet care by utilizing advanced diagnostic tools and current research to identify and treat illnesses. Our state-of-the-art facilities include digital radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy, and CT scans to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of complex disease conditions.

Our on-site radiology department is equipped to deliver high-quality diagnostic images quickly and non-invasively. We use digital radiography, ultrasound, and endoscopy to examine the thorax, abdomen, skeleton, urinary and gastrointestinal tracts, spine, joints, heart, soft tissue organs, and more. Additionally, our Doppler analysis and ultrasound-guided aspirates and biopsies provide a detailed evaluation of the vascular system.

We also have an on-site laboratory that allows us to get results on common blood tests within 15 minutes, allowing us to provide rapid diagnoses and appropriate therapy on the day of your visit. We also have the capability to run other specialty tests in-house, and have an extensive network of outside laboratories for more specialized testing.

At Marina Veterinary Center, we use our advanced diagnostic capabilities to guide therapy and minimize the long-term effects of illnesses, ensuring the best possible outcome for your pet.
 

Ultrasound

At Marina Veterinary Center, we use ultrasound as a non-invasive way to diagnose and treat various conditions in pets. This technology uses high-frequency sound waves to create live images of the inside of your pet’s body, similar to how sonar and radar are used by the military to detect planes and ships. 

Ultrasound is commonly associated with pregnancy, but it has many other uses in veterinary medicine. Your vet may recommend an ultrasound if your pet is experiencing pain, swelling, or other symptoms that require an internal view of the organs. This test can provide a view of the bladder, brain, eyes, gallbladder, kidneys, liver, ovaries, pancreas, spleen, thyroid, testicles, prostate, and blood vessels. It can also be used to guide surgeons during certain medical procedures, such as biopsies. 

The preparation for an ultrasound will depend on the area or organ being examined. Your vet may ask you to fast your pet for 8-12 hours before the ultrasound, especially if the abdomen is being examined. This is to ensure that the sound waves can get a clear picture.

Ultrasound is completely safe, as it uses no radiation, unlike x-rays or CT scans. During the exam, your pet will be placed in an upside down or sideways position and have their hair clipped. Some animals will rest comfortably in a specially designed ultrasound “bed” or “boat.” A special lubricating jelly will be applied to your pet;s skin to prevent friction and help transmit the sound waves.
 
The procedure typically lasts less than 30 minutes, after which your pet will be able to go about their normal day and activities. Your vet will review the images and call you to discuss the findings or schedule a follow-up appointment. In case of abnormalities, further diagnostic techniques may be needed, such as a CT scan, MRI, or a biopsy sample of tissue. If a diagnostic is made based on the ultrasound, treatment may begin immediately.
 

Endoscopy

At Marina Veterinary Center, pets have access to cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment options through endoscopy. But what exactly is endoscopy and how can it benefit your pet’s health?

Endoscopy is a way to examine the inside of the body without making large incisions. This is done using a device called an endoscope, which has a tube, a light, and a lens for viewing. Some endoscopes also have tools for performing procedures. The images from the endoscope can be viewed on a screen and recorded for later analysis. 

Endoscopy can be used for many different purposes in veterinary medicine, such as removing foreign objects from the stomach or esophagus, spaying female dogs, and inspecting the respiratory, gastrointestinal, or urinary systems, It can also be used to take biopsies, perform minor and major surgeries, and remove urinary stones. 

One of the biggest advantages of endoscopy is that it is minimally invasive, which means there is less pain and recovery time compared to traditional surgery. Some endoscopic procedures, like evaluating the digestive or respiratory systems, are even done without making any incisions at all and patients recover quickly from the anesthesia.
 

The Different Types of Endoscopy

Esophagoscopy

• A procedure that involves the insertion of a camera through the esophagus.
• Used when pets have difficulty swallowing, regurgitation, or a foreign body in the esophagus.
• X-rays are often taken before the procedure as general anesthesia is required.
• Can also be used to dilate strictures in the esophagus.

Gastroduodenoscopy

• A procedure that involves the passage of a camera and endoscope through the esophagus into the stomach and duodenum.
• Used to remove foreign bodies from the stomach and to obtain biopsy samples from pets with chronic vomiting or weight loss.
• Best tool for evaluating the lining of the stomach and detecting ulcers

Colonoscopy

• A procedure that involves the passage of a camera and endoscope through the rectum into the colon.
• Indicated for animals that have fresh blood in stool or excessive straining to pass stool.
• Pets are fasted for 1-2 days and given medications to evacuate the intestine before the procedure.
• Generally performed after non-invasive tests have failed to yield a diagnosis. 

Rhinoscopy

• A procedure that examines the nasal cavity.
• Two types: anterior rhinoscopy and Posterior rhinoscopy.
• Can be used to diagnose inflammation, foreign bodies, tumors, and fungal infections.
• Can also be used to obtain tissue sample and culture samples and to treat nasal, sinus or nasopharyngeal problems.

Otoscopy

• A procedure that allows the veterinarian to magnify and examine the external canal and tympanic membrane in a patient’s ear.
• A small cone-shaped camera is placed in the ear canal
• Can be used to determine the cause of ear disease and to collect samples for culture and biopsy