Veterinary Internal Medicine

Internal Medicine Conditions

If your pet is exhibiting symptoms of an internal condition, your vet will conduct a comprehensive physical exam of your pet to diagnose the issue and create a detailed treatment plan customized to their 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 is unable to diagnose or treat your dog or cat's heart condition as part of our internal medicine checks, we will refer you to a veterinary specialist and work together with them to ensure that your pet receives the very best care. 

• Reproductive Issues

  Our veterinary team at Avenue Animal Hospital knows that it requires a lot of financial investment and personal commitment to breed your dog or cat properly, healthily and safely.

  If your pet 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 what is responsible for detecting and defending them against diseases and other foreign invaders. With that being said your pet's immune system may not always do its job. If it isn't working as it should, they may 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 tumours.

  Common pulmonary disorders in cats include asthma, bronchitis, parasitic worms, bacterial infections, and viruses. 

• Gastroenterology (digestive organs)

  Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are a common internal medicine issue seen by our Saint John veterinarians. Gastrointestinal conditions interfere with your pet's intestines and stomach as well as their ability to digest food properly 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 (tumours and cancer)

  Cancer is a disease that can impact even the fittest humans and pets. 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 tumours, melanoma, lymphoma, and bone cancer. In cats, some of the most common cancers include lymphoma, 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.  

• 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 is their kidneys, the tubes that bring urine to their bladder, the bladder itself and their urethra. 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 veterinary internal medicine covering conditions of the brain and spinal cord as well as neuromuscular dysfunction. Some of the most common neurological disorders in dogs and cats include seizures, IVDD, and tumours.

  If your pet 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 internal medicine specialist or veterinary neurologist. Our vets will work closely with your specialist to ensure that your pet receives the best treatment possible.

Specialist Referrals

Your pet's health is our highest priority.

If your pet requires a procedure or some expertise that we aren't able to offer, our vets will refer you to an experienced veterinary internal medicine specialist.