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Several additional diagnostic tests can be conducted in‐house depending on both facility and veterinary resources. Common examples of such tests include diagnostic imaging and necropsy. Many shelters have the capability to perform diagnostic imaging in the form of radiographs (X‐rays) and/or ultrasounds. Such tools can be rapid and useful methods of establishing diagnoses and identifying emergent conditions. In order to ensure that images are of diagnostic quality and, in the case of radiographs, that staff and patient exposure to radiation are minimized, these tools should only be used by appropriately trained personnel; in some jurisdictions, specific licensing requirements may restrict which staff members can take radiographs. Diagnostic images require interpretation by a veterinarian.

Finally, in the event of an unexplained patient death, a gross necropsy should be conducted. Frequently overlooked as a diagnostic tool, a necropsy can help establish a diagnosis and alert the practitioner to any conditions that may impact both the human and the remaining animal population within the shelter. The collection of tissue samples for histopathologic examination and ancillary diagnostic testing (bacteriology, virology, cytology) should also be considered based on gross necropsy findings. Samples can always be collected and held for submission pending initial results, but failure to collect appropriate samples at the time of necropsy may preclude obtaining a definitive diagnosis and significantly limit the information that can be obtained from the necropsy. See Chapter 5 for more information on this topic.