Internal Medicine is a specialty dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases and encompasses a wide range of areas. It involves using a combination of detailed medical history, careful physical examination and diagnostic testing to achieve a diagnosis and then formulate a treatment plan.

Commonly used diagnostic tests include:

• Diagnostic Imaging - x-rays, ultrasound, MRI/CT scanning
• Blood tests - haematology, biochemistry, endocrine testing, coagulation testing, genetic testing etc.
• Sampling - fine needle aspiration, biopsies
• Internal Examinations - endoscopy, laparoscopy

We see cases across a number of sub-specialties, examples of which are below:

Gastroenterology

• Chronic vomiting/diarrhoea
• Unexplained weight loss
• Poor appetite

Haematology

• Anaemia (acute or chronic)
• Other blood cell disorders - thrombocytopenia, leucopenia
• Unexplained bleeding disorders

Pulmonology

• Coughing (acute or chronic)
• Dyspnoea (difficulty breathing)
• Nasal diseases (sneezing, chronic discharge, epistaxis)

Hepatology

• Liver enzyme elevations
• Acute or chronic liver conditions
• Jaundice

Endocrinology

• Investigation and management of specific disorders - diabetes mellitus, hyperadrenocorticism, hypoadrenocorticism, thyroid disorders.
• Investigation of specific clinical signs - polyuria (excessive urination), polydipsia (excessive drinking).

Urology/Nephrology

• Acute and chronic kidney diseases
• Bladder disorders - recurrent infections, urolothiasis (bladder stones)
• Investigation of urinary incontinence
• Emergency management of urinary obstruction
• Diseases of the prostate

In general if it doesn't easily fit anywhere else, it is probably medical!

The purpose of this section of the site is to provide information for pet owners about internal medicine diseases and to provide updates to Veterinary Surgeons about developments in the field through the blog.

If you are a pet owner and would like to see an information page about a specific condition or procedure please feel free to drop me an email.

A dog with a megaoesophagus (dilated food pipe) leading to regurgitation)

An endoscopic image of the small intestine of a dog with chronic diarrhoea