Veterinary Internal Medicine
Diagnosis & Treatment of Internal Conditions
Veterinary internal medicine consists of treating disorders, diseases, and illnesses in the internal systems of pets.
Our vets have lots of experience in diagnosing and treating challenging veterinary cases such as disorders of the brain and nervous system, tumors, and lung disease.
At Companion Animal Hospital, we have a wide range of diagnostic tools and treatment methods at our disposal.
We can manage patients with multiple disorders or diseases and provide alternative treatment options that are effective for pets that don't respond well to the standard procedures.
Internal Medicine Conditions
If your cat or dog is displaying any symptoms of an internal condition, your veterinarian will perform a complete physical examination of your pet to diagnose the problem and establish an in-depth customized treatment plan to meet their needs.
Our Groton veterinarians diagnose and treat conditions in the following areas:
- Cardiology (heart-related disorders)
Like humans, cats and dogs can suffer from heart diseases and disorders. With the technology we have available in our in-house vet lab, our vets can examine your companion for signs of heart conditions, so you can get quick results. Fast results mean treatments can begin sooner.
If your veterinarian isn't able to diagnose or treat your pet's heart condition as part of our internal medicine checks we will book an appointment with our Board Certified Internal Medicine Vet to make sure your pet gets the very best care.
- Immunology (immune system disorders)
Your pet's immune system is responsible for finding foreign invaders or abnormal cells and starting the defensive actions needed to protect the animal's health. Although the immune system doesn't always work the way it's supposed to, in this case, your cat or dog 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 mandatory work for delivering oxygen to the body and eliminating waste gases such as carbon dioxide. Since cats and dogs don't sweat the way humans do, your pet's respiratory system also plays a key role in regulating body temperature.
There are a handful of common pulmonary disorders seen in canines, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), canine distemper virus, pneumonia, and lung tumors.
Pulmonary disorders often seen in felines include asthma, bronchitis, parasitic worms, bacterial infections, and viruses.
- Gastroenterology (digestive organs)
Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are a common internal medicine issue seen by our Groton veterinarians. GI conditions affect your pet's stomach and intestines, impacting their ability to properly digest food and absorb nutrients.
Pets experiencing GI problems often suffer from 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 affect the healthiest humans and animals. When cancer is diagnosed in its earliest stages in dogs and cats, it can often be treated with a combination of surgeries, therapies, and other methods.
A few of the most common cancers in dogs include mast cell tumors, melanoma, lymphoma, and bone cancer. In cats, some of the more common cancers include lymphoma, feline leukemia virus (FeLV), mammary cancer, and skin cancer.
If your pet needs a diagnosis or cancer care beyond the capabilities of our skilled veterinarians, we will refer you to a veterinary oncology specialist.
- Urology (urinary functions, genitourinary tract)
Veterinary internal medicine also consists of urology conditions such as urinary tract infections (UTIs) in dogs and feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) in cats.
Your furry companion's urinary tract contains their kidneys, the tubes that carry urine to the bladder, the bladder, and the urethra that conducts urine out of your pet's body. Urinary tract disorders can affect any part of this system.
- Endocrinology (glands and their functions)
Essential hormones are secreted into your cat or dog's body thanks to the hard work of various glands. These glands and hormones are your animal's endocrine system. When your pet's endocrine system isn't working the way it's supposed to, symptoms such as skin problems and poor coat conditions can arise.
- Neurology (brain and nervous system disorders)
Neurology is a branch of veterinary internal medicine that covers conditions of the brain and spinal cord, as well as neuromuscular dysfunction. Some of the most common neurological disorders in cats and dogs include seizures, IVDD, and tumors.
If your pet requires a diagnosis or care for a neurologic condition that is beyond the abilities of our skilled veterinarians, we will be happy to forward you to an animal internal medicine specialist or veterinary neurologist. Our veterinarians will closely work with your specialist to make sure your pet gets the highest possible quality of care.
Specialist Referrals
Your cat or dog's health is our top priority.
If your pet requires a procedure or knowledge that we can't provide, we will refer you to an experienced veterinary internal medicine specialist near Groton.
Laboratory & Diagnostics
We support our comprehensive approach to cat and dog internal medicine with advanced imaging, testing, and other diagnostic procedures.
Our in-house veterinary lab has the equipment and technology we need to diagnose your pet's internal medicine condition quickly and accurately, so we can start treatment sooner.