Diagnosis & Treatment of Internal Conditions
Veterinary internal medicine involves treating diseases and disorders of animals' internal systems.
Our veterinary team bring extensive experience to the table in diagnosing and treating challenging cases, from brain disorders and nervous system issues to tumors and gastrointestinal infection.
Our San Diego Bay Animal Hospital team is able to use a variety of diagnostic tools and treatment methods to support our high quality of internal medicine care.
We can manage patients with multiple diseases or disorders, and provide effective treatment alternatives for those who do not respond well to standard procedures.
Internal Medicine Conditions
If your pet is showing symptoms of an internal condition, our vet will conduct a comprehensive physical exam of them in order to diagnose their health issue and create a detailed treatment plan that is customized to their unique needs.
Our veterinarians diagnose and treat ailments in the following areas:
- Cardiology (heart-related disorders)
Like people, dogs and cats can suffer from heart diseases and disorders. With the technology in our in-house vet lab, our vets can examine your pet for signs of heart conditions so that you have results quickly. Fast results mean starting treatment sooner.
If your vet isn't able to diagnose or treat your cat or dog's heart condition as part of our veterinary internal medicine checks, we will be sure to refer you to a trusted Board Certified Internal Medicine Vet in the San Diego area and work closely with them to make sure your pet receives the best possible veterinary care.
- Reproductive Issues
Our team of veterinary professionals at San Diego Bay Animal Hospital in San Diego understands the financial investment and personal commitment that go into breeding companion animals properly. If your animal is experiencing reproductive difficulties, our vets will work to diagnose the issue and offer appropriate treatment options to help resolve the problem.
- Immunology (immune system disorders)
Your pet's immune system is responsible for the detection of foreign invaders and abnormal cells as well as starting defensive action against such threats to protect your pet's health. That being said, the immune system may not always work as it should. In cases like this, your pet will be diagnosed with an immune-mediated disorder.
Common immune-mediated disorders in dogs and cats include anemia, arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, hypothyroidism, allergies, and skin diseases.
- Pulmonary Disorders (diseases of the lungs)
Your pet's respiratory system does the essential work of delivering oxygen to the body and eliminating waste gases such as carbon dioxide. Because dogs and cats don't sweat the way people do, your pet's respiratory system also plays a key role in regulating body temperature.
There are a number of common pulmonary disorders seen in dogs, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), canine distemper virus, pneumonia, and lung tumors.
Common pulmonary disorders in cats include asthma, bronchitis, parasitic worms, bacterial infections, and viruses.
- Gastroenterology (digestive organs)
Gastrointestinal disorders are a common internal medical issues found in San Diego pets. GI conditions affect your pet's stomach and intestines, interfering with their ability to properly digest food and absorb nutrients.
Pets suffering from GI problems often experience symptoms such as blood in stool, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, gas, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and weight loss.
- Oncology (tumors and cancer)
Cancer is a disease that can impact even the fittest humans and animals. When diagnosed in the earliest stages, in many cases cancers in dogs and cats can be treated with a combination of surgeries, therapies, and other methods.
Some of the most common cancers in dogs include mast cell tumors, melanoma, lymphoma, and bone cancer. In cats, some of the most common cancers include lymphoma, feline leukemia virus (FeLV), mammary cancer, and skin cancer.
If your pet requires diagnosis or cancer care beyond the scope of our skilled veterinarians, we will refer you to a veterinary oncology specialist near San Diego.
- Urology (urinary functions, genitourinary tract)
Veterinary internal medicine also covers urology conditions such as urinary tract infections (UTIs) in dogs and feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) in cats.
Your pet's urinary tract consists of their kidneys, the tubes that carry urine to the bladder, the bladder, and the urethra that conducts urine out of your animal's body. Urinary tract disorders can affect any part of this system.
- Endocrinology (glands and their functions)
Essential hormones are secreted into your pet's body thanks to the hard work of a number of glands. These glands and hormones are your pet's endocrine system. When your pet's endocrine system isn't working the way it should, symptoms can include skin problems and poor coat condition.
- Neurology (brain and nervous system disorders)
Neurology is a branch of internal veterinary medicine that covers conditions and disorders affecting the brain and spinal cord, as well as any neuromuscular dysfunction. Some of the most common neurological disorders found in San Diego dogs and cats include seizures, tumors and IVDD.
If your animal requires diagnoses or care for neurologic conditions that are beyond the scope of our experienced veterinarians, we will be happy to refer you to an veterinary internal medicine specialist or veterinary neurologist near San Diego. Our vets will work closely with your specialist to ensure that your pet receives the best treatment possible.
Specialist Referrals
If your pet needs a procedure or expertise that we do not offer, we will refer you to an experienced veterinary internal medicine specialist near San Diego.
We are connected with a network of exceptional veterinary specialists in San Diego and throughout the area.
Laboratory & Diagnostics
We support our comprehensive approach to dog and cat internal medicine with advanced testing, imaging and other diagnostic procedures.
Our in-house veterinary lab is equipped with the technology we need to diagnose your pet's internal medicine condition quickly and accurately so that treatment can begin sooner.