Internal MedicineManagement and Care

Addison’s disease is a deficiency in hormone(s), such as cortisol and mineralocorticoids that are produced by the adrenal glands. A fraction of cases suffers from “Atypical Addison’s disease,” which results in a deficiency in cortisol only.

Addison’s disease can be easily managed with supplemental hormone(s) following diagnosis. Our internal medicine team can provide guidance throughout the diagnosis and treatment process.

Just like in humans, your pet’s digestive system is made up of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestine, and pancreas. Signs of gastrointestinal disease include vomiting, diarrhea, poor appetite, weight loss, drooling, straining to defecate, and blood or mucous in the stool.

Appropriate diagnosis and medical management by an internal medicine specialist is important. Our facility is equipped with advanced testing technology, such as endoscopy, and our veterinarians and staff are trained in the latest treatment techniques.

Diabetes mellitus is a common disease defined by deficiency of the hormone insulin. Management for cats and dogs typically involves twice-daily insulin injections and dietary modifications. Unfortunately, other diseases may influence insulin production and function, making diabetic control difficult.

If your pet has diabetes but is not well controlled, further testing and evaluation can help our internal medicine team identify more effective ways of controlling the disease.

Cushing’s syndrome is a group of diseases that cause an overproduction of the hormone cortisol. For many pets, Cushing’s syndrome is easily regulated and managed with medication. However, some pets with Cushing’s syndrome have other diseases that affect cortisol production, which can make diagnosis and treatment difficult.

Managing complicated cases of Cushing’s syndrome requires the specialization and advanced training of an internal medicine veterinary specialist. Our internal medicine team is well-equipped to try to diagnose the cause of the complication and create more effective treatment plans.

“Autoimmune” or “immune-mediated” diseases occur when the immune system starts to attack one’s own body inappropriately. This can lead to severe organ and tissue damage. Signs include fever, lethargy, poor appetite, joint pain, joint swelling and a variety of others.

For most cases of autoimmune disease, diagnosis is challenging and treatment is long-term. Our internal medicine veterinary specialists, Dr. Elliott and Dr. Tobin, received specialized training in managing autoimmune disease and providing effective treatment, such as medication and additional therapies.

Kidney disease, a common disease in cats and dogs, can be acute or chronic. Acute or sudden cases of kidney disease are caused by toxins or infections and may be reversible with treatment. Chronic kidney disease is the destruction of kidney tissue over time and is permanent. However, it can be managed or supported with appropriate therapy. There are up to a dozen different types of therapy that can be used to support the kidneys after they are damaged.

Our internal medicine team is well-versed in the many therapy options. Their goal is to stabilize the disease and improve your pet’s quality of life.

The liver works to filter and remove harmful toxins and by-products of digestion. Even relatively simple abnormalities of the liver can cause severe and life-threatening complications. Signs can include yellowing of the skin and eyes, often called jaundice.

Pets with liver disease often benefit from additional testing from specialists like Dr. Elliott and Dr. Tobin, who can accurately diagnose the type of liver condition and provide long-term therapy recommendations that are individualized to your pet.

Endocrine diseases are hormonal diseases, where hormones enter the bloodstream and influence metabolism, growth, development, and organ function. While diabetes mellitus is a common endocrine disorder, pets also may suffer from thyroid disease, parathyroid disease, and diabetes insipidus.

Diagnosis and management of uncommon endocrine diseases can be difficult. Our internal medicine teams are well-versed in a wide variety of rare endocrine diseases and are knowledgeable on the latest treatment techniques.

Animal respiratory or breathing tracts are very like humans. They are made up of the nose, nasal cavity, sinuses, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), bronchi, and lungs. Signs of respiratory disease include coughing, nasal discharge, sneezing, voice change, difficulty breathing, and noisy breathing. Respiratory problems are often managed with medications and therapies, though signs of the diseases do not always go away.

Pets that experience persistent breathing problems often benefit from the knowledge and expertise of an internal medicine specialist. Dr. Elliot and Dr. Tobin, working with their experienced staff, are highly skilled at diagnosing a wide range of respiratory problems and providing individualized treatment recommendations.

Nutrition is an important part of daily care that we provide for our pets. Pets with chronic diseases may have difficulty getting the nutrition they need, which is why we offer special prescription diets, dietary supplements and, feeding tubes, if needed. Our internal medicine veterinary specialists, Dr. Elliott and Dr. Tobin, are well-trained in veterinary nutrition and can provide recommendations. We also arrange consultations with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, as needed.