Internal medicine specialists (internists) are experts in treating disorders of the urinary and gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, liver, kidneys, lungs, the respiratory, endocrine, and blood systems, immune-mediated and infectious illnesses. Suppose your pet suffers from complex issues, and a precise diagnosis is difficult to come up with, or they aren’t responding to conventional treatments. In that case, Your primary care vet may suggest you see an internist.
Internists are an extension to your veterinarian’s office, providing access to the most advanced diagnostic techniques and unparalleled treatment options, as well as the ability to refer your pet to specialists when required. Internists work closely with other specialists to ensure that every pet receives a full range of care, as well as collaborative and accumulated expertise.
Internal Medicine Conditions
A precise diagnosis is essential when you suspect that your pet suffers from a severe and chronic disease. An internist will quickly identify the cause of your pet’s illness using modern diagnostic techniques like endoscopy, ultrasonography, as well as an in-house laboratory. These health conditions are treatable by internists.
Joints or Arthritis Condition (Polyarthritis)
Polyarthritis is a condition that causes dogs to exhibit lameness in various joints; however, the most common are the hock, wrist, knee, and elbow. The diagnosis is typically determined by looking at radiographs of joints to rule out any other conditions and then removing joint fluid to be examined and cultured and performing tests on blood to rule out any other ailments similar to the disease. The use of immunosuppressive medications is to treat the problem. Veterinary clinics like Caring Hands Veterinary Hospital offer diagnostic and treatment for internal conditions.
Liver Disorders
Many types of liver diseases are common in both dogs and cats. Portosystemic Vascular Anomalies (PSVA) and Microvascular Dysplasia (MVD) are two of the most frequently occurring conditions.
Congenital genetic disorders are more common in small breeds of dogs. PSVA can also be found among large-breed dogs and cats in lesser amounts.
PSVA is different from MVD because it has one or, in rare cases, two prominent veins that carry blood directly through the liver and into the heart. Contrarily, MVD involves microscopic blood capillaries in the liver.
Chronic Hepatitis
Chronic hepatitis is characterized by an increase in the activity of liver enzymes for months or even weeks, with only some ambiguous clinical signs in the beginning stages. It is a frequent condition in dogs.
The disease is characterized by an ongoing inflammatory liver injury often mediated by your immune system. It could begin as an initial illness or may result from a different condition and toxic or pharmacological, or viral exposures.
Feline Hepatic Lipidosis (FHL)
The most common acute liver disease that cats suffer from causes severe jaundice and the risk of dying without prompt support. FHL is a condition caused by an inability to speak that lasts for several days. In the end, a variety of primary disease processes are involved in FHL and need to be treated in conjunction with FHL diagnostics and treatments.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease or IBD
Dogs with IBD often exhibit weight loss, diarrhea, and sometimes vomiting. Vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, and diarrhea are typical symptoms of IBD for cats. The intestine is examined through endoscopy, or surgery is necessary to establish a definitive diagnosis.
A small intestine biopsy is necessary to distinguish small intestinal lymphoma from intestinal inflammation disease correctly. Prednisolone, vitamin supplements, and chlorambucil are often employed in the treatment. Small cell lymphoma patients are likely to have a good prognosis. Veterinary hospitals are also offering veterinary dentistry.
Leptospirosis in Dogs
Leptospirosis can be a fatal condition leading to liver and renal failure. A thorough medical history, physical exam, urine and blood tests, and diagnostic imaging all contribute to the identification.
In most cases, dogs have to be in a hospital for a long time to receive intravenous fluids and antibiotics to treat kidney disease. The odds of survival are favorable when kidney function is restored. Click here to get more information.