What is Internal Medicine?
The specialized area of veterinary medicine known as “Internal Medicine” is primarily dedicated to diseases of the internal systems of animals, but may on occasion involve the skin or eyes.
Board Certified internal medicine specialists are trained to treat the most serious diseases and health problems that affect pets. They are also especially prepared to care for pets that may be facing multiple health problems.
Thanks to better health care, more and more pets are living longer lives. As a result, an increasing number of older pets, are coping with multiple disease states that can be very difficult to manage. What Health Problems Does A Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialist Treat?
Why does my animal need to see a Board-certified Small Animal Internist?
Commonly called Internists, these Specialists focus on diagnosing and treating diseases of the internal systems. Where the diagnosis is known, an Internist may confirm the diagnosis and treatment, providing piece of mind. If a diagnosis is proving elusive or therapy is not proving effective, the Internist may be better able to find the diagnosis or adjust treatment plans to get your animal back to health. Examples of conditions for which your family veterinarian might refer your animal to an Internist are:
The Internist will perform a complete and thorough physical examination of your animal, and based on these initial findings, additional tests will be discussed. Depending on your animal's condition, diagnostic testing or treatments may include:
The specialized area of veterinary medicine known as “Internal Medicine” is primarily dedicated to diseases of the internal systems of animals, but may on occasion involve the skin or eyes.
Board Certified internal medicine specialists are trained to treat the most serious diseases and health problems that affect pets. They are also especially prepared to care for pets that may be facing multiple health problems.
Thanks to better health care, more and more pets are living longer lives. As a result, an increasing number of older pets, are coping with multiple disease states that can be very difficult to manage. What Health Problems Does A Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialist Treat?
Why does my animal need to see a Board-certified Small Animal Internist?
Commonly called Internists, these Specialists focus on diagnosing and treating diseases of the internal systems. Where the diagnosis is known, an Internist may confirm the diagnosis and treatment, providing piece of mind. If a diagnosis is proving elusive or therapy is not proving effective, the Internist may be better able to find the diagnosis or adjust treatment plans to get your animal back to health. Examples of conditions for which your family veterinarian might refer your animal to an Internist are:
- Anemia or other bleeding disorders
- Chronic vomiting or diarrhea
- Complicated pancreatic disease
- Coughing & other breathing problems
- Endocrine disease (adrenal tumors, complicated diabetes, thyroid disorders)
- Infectious disease
- Kidney or bladder disease
- Liver inflammation
- Unexplained weight loss
The Internist will perform a complete and thorough physical examination of your animal, and based on these initial findings, additional tests will be discussed. Depending on your animal's condition, diagnostic testing or treatments may include:
- Advanced laboratory testing of various tissue and blood samples.
- Diagnostic Imaging - ultrasound, radiography (x-rays), CT scans, MRIs
- Biopsies of masses, internal organs, or bone marrow
- Endoscopy - bronchoscopy (lungs), cystoscopy (bladder & urethra), colonoscopy (colon & small bowel), gastroduodenoscopy (stomach & upper intestines), rhinoscopy (nasal cavity), laparoscopy (minimally invasive surgery for biopsies of internal organs)
- Feeding tube placement
- Nutrition consultations