Internal Medicine for Animals Health Checkups and Dental Care

Despite the growing number of veterinary subfields, many people still assume that all vets practice the same general medicine. Internal medicine, vaccinations, and dentistry are all crucial areas of study in veterinary medicine, just as they are in human medicine.

Diagnostic Methods for Animals with Internal Medical Issues

Veterinary internal medicine issues can be difficult to diagnose and treat because of the wide range of diagnostic tools needed to identify the problem properly. The following are some of the most standard diagnostic and therapeutic procedures used by Lafayette Companion Animal Hospital internal medicine vets to diagnose and treat internal medical conditions in animals:

Health Checkup

A physical examination is the backbone of veterinary medicine. Multiple steps must be taken to conduct a comprehensive physical analysis of a cat or dog, but the demand is flexible. As part of the physical examination, we will be doing things like:

  • Keeping an ear out for any unusual grunting or breath sounds
  • Skin, fur, eyes, nose, and mouth checks
  • Looking at them in a broader sense.

Because of the severe risks, some diseases pose to you and your pet, taking them for regular checkups at the vet is crucial. They should get dog and cat vaccinations and be treated for parasites to avoid contracting contagious diseases with serious consequences.

Blood Tests

The health of your pet’s organs and the presence or severity of a disease can sometimes be determined from the blood test results. Blood stimulation or suppression allows for a closer look at organ function. It is used in tests like the ACTH stimulation test for Cushing’s syndrome, the TSH suppression test for thyroid function, and the glucose tolerance test. Recent diagnostic procedures can even look into your pet’s genes for specific diseases and infections.

Imaging

Veterinarians may use imaging techniques such as X-rays, ultrasounds, and CT scans to diagnose internal medical conditions in pets. Animals can now benefit from many of the same imaging techniques used to diagnose human disease.

X-rays can produce clear images of internal organs, foreign objects, and bone structures. Fractures, tumors, wounds, infections, and deformities can all be spotted early with their help when using one of these instruments. Although radiographs may not provide enough information to pinpoint the precise cause of your pet’s issue, they can help your veterinarian decide which additional tests may be required to diagnose.

Endoscopy

Endoscopy is a noninvasive method of diagnosing diseases involving looking at an organ’s inside. Throat and esophagus

  • Stomach
  • The Intestines, Both Small and Large
  • Passageway for the Urinary System
  • Structures like the nasal cavity and other hollow organs

As this is the most common method of medical examination, it is used on everyone.

General anesthesia is required for this procedure, which is not the case in human medicine. However, endoscopy is generally considered risk-free due to the rarity of its potential complications.

Medication

A veterinary doctor may prescribe medication when diagnosed with an internal medicine issue. Some examples include antibiotics, NSAIDs, and drugs prescribed for treating conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Surgery

In rare cases, pets must undergo surgery to correct internal health issues. This may involve removing a tumor, mending an organ, or fixing a structural problem.

Oral Health

Your furry companion, like people, have a similar need for routine dental care. Sadly, many pet owners do not give their pets the necessary pet dental care. Care for your pet’s oral health by taking it in for a professional cleaning and checkup at the vet’s office. If you do not care for their teeth and gums, they may develop infections, cavities, gum disease, and even lose teeth.

The Wall Street Journal cites a study from the Archives of Oral Biology that suggests you and your pet may exchange the cavity-causing bacteria that contribute to dental caries and gum disease. To the surprise of the research community, it was found that adults could transmit oral bacteria to children through close, daily contact. Additionally, some pet owners kiss and even share food with their pets.

The most prevalent oral infection is periodontal disease, which is the focus of most research on the association between systemic diseases and oral infections. Caring for your pet’s teeth can avert this risk and safeguard your family’s oral health.