Veterinary Radiology in North Bethesda, MD

When something is wrong with a pet, the most important thing a veterinarian can do is find out exactly what it is, as quickly as possible. Many conditions are invisible from the outside and require diagnostic tools to identify accurately. For North Bethesda pet owners, Veterinary Park Potomac in Potomac, MD offers in-house diagnostic capabilities that go well beyond what most general practices in the area provide. We have invested in the equipment and expertise that allows us to answer clinical questions quickly and precisely, without sending your pet to a separate facility or waiting days for results.

Veterinary Park Potomac is an independent, owner-operated practice led by Dr. Katie, a University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine graduate who built this practice with a specific vision: specialty-level diagnostic capability inside a community practice that still feels personal. Our diagnostic services reflect that vision, and they are available to every patient we see, whether the visit is a routine wellness exam or a more complex workup.

Radiology and Digital X-Ray

Our radiology equipment produces image clarity that specialist radiologists have specifically noted as exceptional for a general practice setting. Digital X-rays allow us to evaluate the skeletal system, chest cavity, abdominal organs, and soft tissue structures with precision and speed. Results are available immediately and can be reviewed with you during the same appointment. We also have an in-house radiologist who reviews complex cases, which gives us a level of radiological interpretation typically found only at specialty or referral hospitals.

X-rays are used to evaluate conditions including the following:

• Bone and joint changes, including arthritis
• Lung and heart abnormalities
• Abdominal organ size and position
• Suspected foreign body ingestion
• Pre-surgical and post-surgical assessment

Ultrasound

Ultrasound provides a non-invasive way to examine internal organs and soft tissue structures in real time. It is particularly useful for evaluating the liver, spleen, kidneys, bladder, and abdominal cavity for masses, fluid, or structural changes that X-rays alone cannot fully assess. Ultrasound is also used to guide needle aspirates for biopsy collection, allowing us to gather tissue samples for analysis without surgery in many cases. Abdominal ultrasound is frequently included as part of wellness workups for older patients or as a follow-up to bloodwork findings that warrant further investigation.

Full In-House Laboratory

Our in-house lab processes bloodwork, urinalysis, fecal analysis, cytology samples, and more. Results are available within the appointment in most cases rather than sent to an outside lab and returned days later. Faster results mean faster diagnosis, faster treatment, and less time your pet spends waiting for answers. Our laboratory is used routinely as part of wellness exams, pre-surgical screening, and workups for sick or symptomatic patients.

IDEXX Cancer Dx Testing

We are one of the first practices in the area to offer IDEXX Cancer Dx testing, a blood-based screening that detects lymphoma, the most commonly diagnosed cancer in dogs and cats, even in pets who appear completely healthy. This test requires only a routine blood draw and can identify abnormal patterns that indicate disease before symptoms develop. For senior pets especially, this level of early detection can significantly change outcomes and quality of life.

Our diagnostic capabilities are not reserved for sick pets. They are a routine part of how we care for every patient. Pre-surgical bloodwork, senior wellness panels, annual heartworm and parasite testing, thyroid screening for older cats: all of this happens in-house, and all of it contributes to the kind of longitudinal picture of your pet’s health that allows us to catch changes early and act on them confidently.

Visit our patients page to learn what to expect at your first appointment. For established clients with urgent concerns, our emergency page has guidance on how to reach us between scheduled visits. To learn more about Dr. Katie and our team, visit our about page.