Illness and Disease

Fast and Thorough Treatment for Your Ailing Pet

Along with advanced training and extensive experience, we make use of the latest equipment and have in-house diagnostic capabilities. The advantage to on-site equipment and lab results is that critical information is often only minutes away.

More common diseases that require expertise and benefit from veterinary internal medicine are:

• Cancer—A condition associated with the growth of abnormal cells and the leading cause of death in senior dogs and cats.
• Heart disease—Heart disease includes all disorders that impair the structure and function of the heart.
• Immune-related disorders and allergies—A source of chronic discomfort for many dogs and cats.
• Diabetes—Diabetes is a condition that usually develops because of a lack of insulin, whereby obesity is a major risk factor.
• Kidney problems—Kidney problems are one of the most common medical concerns in older pets.
• Thyroid issues
• Joint issues and arthritis

How to Recognize Disease in Your Pet

Regular wellness exams and preventive measures may minimize and possibly avoid the incidence of many diseases. Generally, red flags for illness are changes in digestion, appetite, behavior, and body weight. Since cats are known for hiding their illnesses, it is especially important to notice changes in behavior. Hiding and decreased interaction is very often a signal.

Signs of the more common serious diseases are listed below.

Signs of cancer: Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow, Sores that do not heal, Weight loss, Changes in appetite, Bleeding or discharge from any body orifice, Offensive odor, Difficulty eating, swallowing, or breathing, Loss of stamina, Persistent lameness or stiffness, Difficulty urinating or defecating

Signs of kidney disease: Loss of appetite, Increased thirst, Depression, Frequent urination or no urination, Poor hair coat, Vomiting, Diarrhea

Signs of diabetes: Weakness, Increased thirst, Increased and frequent urination, Weight loss, Changes in appetite, initially increases and later declines, Depression, Vomiting, Cataracts (in dogs)

Signs of heart disease: Cough, Difficulty breathing, Fainting, Reduced ability to exercise, Loss of appetite, Weight loss, Behavior changes, Rear limb weakness