Common Diseases Internal Medicine Vets Can Address

As a pet owner, understanding your furry friend’s health is crucial. Recognizing common diseases lets you take the proper steps when something seems off. In this article, we will dive into the world of internal medicine veterinarians and the common conditions they can address, thereby equipping you with the knowledge to keep your beloved pets healthy.

Gastrointestinal Disorders

Gastrointestinal disorders can be painful for your pets and may lead to dehydration, acid-base imbalances, electrolyte imbalances, and malnutrition. Some common causes include eating human food, food allergies or intolerance, infections, and a lack of digestive enzymes.

Types of Gastrointestinal Disorders

Some of the most frequently encountered gastrointestinal disorders in pets include:

• Acute Gastroenteritis
• Colitis
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Pancreatitis
• Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
• Small Intestinal Malabsorption

Common Clinical Signs

Look out for these symptoms in your pets:

• Changes in appetite
• Changes in stool quantity or quality
• Regurgitation or vomiting
• Weight loss (in chronic cases)
• Abdominal pain
• Lethargy
• Fever

Hepatic Diseases

Hepatic diseases, or liver diseases, are essential to monitor because the liver plays a crucial role in digestion, blood clotting, and removing toxins. These diseases can be due to aging, genetics, infections, medications, diabetes, fatty foods, or untreated heartworms.

Common Clinical Signs

Watch for these signs in your pets:

• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Increase in thirst
• Unstable walking
• Increased need to urinate
• Confusion
• Yellowish eyes, tongue, and gums (jaundice)

Renal Disease

Renal or kidney diseases occur when one or more kidneys fail. Some common causes include infection, kidney stones, genetics, and cancer. Unfortunately, dialysis and transplants are unavailable for pets, so treatments focus on symptom management.

Common Clinical Signs

Monitor for these symptoms in your pets:

• Dehydration
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Drinking more water
• Increased urination
• Vomiting
• Weight loss
• Bad breath with a chemical odor

Urogenital Disease

Urogenital diseases encompass a variety of conditions, varying in severity and seriousness. The most common types include urinary tract infections, kidney infections, kidney stones, bladder stones, diabetes, Cushing’s Disease, prostate gland disease, and incontinence.

Common Clinical Signs

Keep an eye out for these symptoms in your pets:

• Frequent urination
• Blood in urine
• Straining to urinate
• Inadvertent urine leakage
• Increased water consumption
• Discharge from private regions

Vascular Disease

Vascular diseases can affect arteries, veins, and lymph nodes or disrupt blood flow. Acquired vascular diseases like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, a tick-borne illness, require two to three weeks of antibiotic treatment.

Common Clinical Signs

Look for these signs in your pets:

• Loss of appetite
• Muscle or joint pain
• Fever
• Coughing
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Swelling of face or legs
• Depression

Pulmonary Disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), or Chronic Bronchitis, is a slowly progressing and irreversible condition that causes continuous coughing in pets. Secondhand smoke, air pollutants, allergens, dental diseases, recurrent respiratory system infections, and obesity contribute to COPD.

Treatment Approaches

Treatment includes bronchodilators, cough suppressants, antibiotics, and corticosteroids to decrease inflammation and ease coughing.

Emergency Veterinary Hospital

In urgent cases, finding an emergency vet specializing in internal medicine is crucial. These facilities provide the necessary care during emergencies and can make all the difference in your pet’s well-being.

Veterinary Internal Medicine

Finding a specialist in vet internal medicine in Orange County ensures your pet is in good hands. These professionals have extensive knowledge of various diseases and will effectively diagnose and treat your furry friend using the latest technology and diagnostics.

Veterinary Diagnostics

One vital aspect of identifying, addressing, and treating these diseases is employing accurate vet diagnostics. Advanced diagnostic techniques help uncover underlying medical issues, allowing for tailored treatment plans and giving your pet the best chance for a full recovery.

Final Words

Understanding common diseases that internal medicine veterinarians can address is essential for pet owners. Monitor for symptoms, consult your primary veterinarian, and seek specialized help when necessary. Doing so can ensure your furry friend lives a happy, healthy life.