Your Dog or Cat's Internal Health Matters
Internal medicine involves the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and illnesses that impact the health of your cat or dog. More specifically, we take a look at issues involving areas of the body such as the heart, lungs, digestive tract and other internal systems.
Diagnosing and treating veterinary internal medical conditions, such as neurological disorders, heart disease, kidney failure and cancer, is a regular part of what we do.
We are also connected with a network of veterinary specialists in the Calgary area. If your pet does not respond to standard procedures or needs specialized expertise, we may be able to refer you to one of these specialists.
Diagnosis & Treatment for Internal Diseases
If your dog or cat is diagnosed with an illness, your veterinarian will develop a treatment plan tailored to their specific needs.
Common areas of focus include:
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Oncology (tumours and cancer)
Veterinary oncology is the area of veterinary medicine responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The goal is to extend and enhance the quality of life of dogs and cats with cancer.
Veterinary treatment for cancer uses similar methods doctors use to treat cancer in people. These include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery, and more.
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Cardiology (heart-related disorders)
Veterinary cardiology involves the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the heart and lungs.
Dogs and cats, like people, can suffer from a range of heart diseases and disorders such as congestive heart failure (CHF), age-related changes to the valves of the heart, congenital heart defects, cardiac arrhythmias, tumours and more.
With the technology in our in-house veterinary lab, our veterinarians can examine your pet for signs of heart disease and then provide you with a diagnosis, along with treatment recommendations.
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Reproduction
This is a branch of veterinary medicine that plays an important role in protecting reproductive health, preventing and controlling reproductive diseases, and promoting animal husbandry.
At Stoney Trail Veterinary Clinic, we understand the financial investment and personal commitment that go into breeding animals. If your animal is experiencing reproductive difficulties, our veterinarians will use the diagnostic tools at our hospital to pinpoint the specific issue. Once we've determined what is going on with your pet's reproductive system, we can provide a treatment plan aimed to help resolve the issue.
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Immunology (immune-mediated disorders)
Immunology is the branch of veterinary science that studies cells, tissues and organs responsible for detecting foreign agents (antigens) and triggering the defensive action of the immune system.
The immune system doesn't always work as it should, leading to immune-mediated disorders. Some common immune-mediated disorders in dogs and cats include anemia, arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, hypothyroidism, allergies and skin diseases.
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Pulmonary Disorders (diseases of the lungs)
Pulmonary disorders affect the respiratory system, which is responsible for delivering oxygen to the body and eliminating waste gases such as carbon dioxide. Since dogs and cats are unable to sweat the way people do, your pet's respiratory system is also essential for regulating their body temperature. When issues arise with this important system, your dog or cat can develop a number of disorders.
In dogs, common pulmonary disorders include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), canine distemper virus, pneumonia, and lung tumours.
In cats, asthma, bronchitis, parasitic worms, bacterial infections, and viruses are some of the most common pulmonary issues our veterinarians see
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Gastroenterology (digestive organs)
Gastroenterology focuses on disorders of your pet’s stomach and intestines, known as gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. These can interfere with your dog or cat's ability to digest food properly and absorb nutrients.
Cats and dogs experiencing GI problems often show symptoms such as blood in the stool, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, gas, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and weight loss.
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Urology (urinary functions, genitourinary tract)
Urology deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders that affect the urinary tract. The urinary tract consists of the kidneys, tubes that carry urine to the bladder, and the urethra, which removes urine from the body.
Urologic issues such as urinary tract infections (UTIs) in dogs and feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) in cats are common disorders that our veterinaries diagnose and treat.
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Endocrinology (glands and their functions)
Endocrinology is the study of the glands and hormones of the body and the disorders that can result from these not functioning effectively.
When a dog or cat's endocrine system isn't working correctly, symptoms such as skin problems and poor coat condition can become evident.
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Neurology (brain and nervous system disorders)
Veterinary neurology is a branch of internal medicine that covers abnormalities of the brain and spinal cord as well as neuromuscular dysfunction.
Common neurological disorders our veterinarians see in dogs and cats include seizures, intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), and tumours.
Specialist Referrals
Your pet's health comes first. If your furry friend requires a procedure or expertise that we do not offer, we will refer you to an experienced Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialist.
We are connected with a network of exceptional veterinary specialists throughout the Calgary area. We will work closely with your specialist to ensure your pet receives the best care possible.
In-House Lab & Diagnostics
Targeted testing, imaging, and other diagnostic procedures play a key role in providing pet owners with an accurate diagnosis of their dog or cat's condition.
Our in-house veterinary lab is outfitted with a variety of diagnostic imaging technologies and other useful equipment, allowing our team of professionals to quickly diagnose your dog or cat’s ailment so that treatment can begin.