Internal medicine examinations

Skin is the biggest organ in the body, and has many different functions, such as thermoregulation, immunological protection, sensory perception, and vitamin D production. It also functions as a barrier between the animal and the environment. Apart from all these essential functions and diseases that directly influence the skin, it can also share and reflect other pathological processes belonging to other tissues.

Skin diseases are one of the most common pathological conditions we encounter. Diseases with skin symptoms include parasites, allergies, and immune disorders, as well as cancers and other tumor-related skin diseases.

Changes on the skin are frequently just a reflection and a symptom of other pathological conditions and serious illnesses, an it`s sometimes necessary to involve several experts to make the correct diagnosis and treatment.

Diagnostic techniques: allergy tests, skin scraping, bronchogram, fungal analysis, bacteriological culture, cytological assessment, immunology and skin biopsy are essential diagnostic techniques in dermatology.

Endocrinology is a veterinary medicine branch that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of the endocrine glands of your pet These glands secrete hormones that regulate many internal organs. When these glands work incorrectly, they produce too much or too few hormones, causing problems for the whole organism.

Some pet owners are surprised to find out that their dogs or cats, particularly when older, susceptible to the same endocrine disorders as humans. Cats and dogs can be susceptible to diabetes, Addison's disease, Cushing's disease, and other diseases that arise from the dysfunctional endocrine system. Dysfunctions in the endocrine system can be difficult to recognize with just a visual examination. Consequently, such symptoms can easily be confused with other conditions or left hidden until it is too late to save the life of your pet. It is one of the reasons why regular health check-ups are so important for your pets.

Glands that constitute the endocrine system are: 

• Pituitary gland
• Hypothalamus
• Thyroid gland and parathyroid glands
• Adrenal glands
• Pancreas
• Ovaries /testicles

Metabolic and endocrine disorders: 

• Hypothyroidism
• Hyperthyroidism
• Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's syndrome)
• Hypoadrenocorticism (Addison's disease)
• Pancreatitis
• Sugar diabetes (Diabetes mellitus)

Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders and diseases influence the stomach and intestines, which can result in pain and other problems. Every disorder that decreases digestion or food absorption or alters its passage through the digestive tract can be defined as a digestive disorder. Healthy digestion is the key to your pet's ability to use nutritious ingredients from its food to develop and repair tissue and acquire energy. Gastrointestinal tract disorders can lead to dehydration, acid-base and electrolyte imbalance, and malnutrition. Iit is essential to recognize the signs and consult a veterinarian. 

Types and causes of gastrointestinal and digestive disorders in dogs

There are many different types of digestive disorders, tso your veterinarian must take various tests to determine the exact cause of your pet's problems. Causes can differ from eating something wrong, to allergies/food intolerance, infections, or digestive enzyme insufficiency. Some dog breeds, such as Great Danes, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and Border Collies, are more prone to particular digestive disorders.

Most frequent GI diseases are:

• Acute gastroenteritis
• Colitis
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Pancreatitis
• Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
• Malabsorption in the small intestine

The most common signs of digestive disorders are soft stool or diarrhea. 

If your dog has digestive problems, you might notice some or all of the following symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Regurgitation
• Bloat (Gastric dilatation-volvulus, GDV)
• Weakness
• Diarrhea/constipation

Chronic GI disorder can be an exhausting problem for many pets and requires careful testing and thorough diagnosis.

IMPORTANT: If your pet has diarrhea or is vomiting, he/she can become severely dehydrated. If you notice any of the above-listed symptoms, visit your veterinarian.

Cardiology is a medical branch that treats the cardiovascular system, which involves the heart and blood vessels.

Cardiologists can diagnose and help develop the treatment protocol for pets suffering from:

• Heart failure
• Heart disease
• Hypertension
• Dilated and Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Heart valve disorders

The interconnected functioning of the pet's heart and lungs means that the cardiologist must also be familiar with pulmonary diseases and other conditions of the thorax. Even though general veterinarians can diagnose and treat many conditions, treatments of heart disorders require specialized and thorough training in cardiology.

Heart diseases in dogs affect 1 in 10 dogs around the world.

It is a condition that involves a heart abnormality.

Congenital heart disease in dogs is present at birth and inherited from parents. Acquired heart disease usually occurs in older animals due to the wear of the heart structures, but it can also be a consequence of an injury or an infection.

There are a few common causes of congenital heart diseases, including:

• Aortic stenosis (or sub-aortic stenosis)
• Pulmonary stenosis
• Ventricular septal defect (VSD)
• Persistent right aortic arch

Heart failure arises when the heart can no longer support the endocrine system. Even though the patient will not show any apparent symptoms of heart failure until the condition advances, grown dogs usually show certain common signs.

Several common symptoms of heart failure in dogs include:

• persistent cough
• edema
• rapid breathing

Symptoms of heart problems in dogs:

There are several possible symptoms of heart problems in dogs that owners can recognize, including:

• Lethargy/weakness/training intolerance
• Difficulties or interruptions of training
• Shortness of breath or breathing difficulties, together with the accumulation of fluid in the lungs and chest
• Fast breathing during resting
• Fainting/ collapsing
• Chronic cough
• Regularly elevated pulse

Considering these heart disorder symptoms in dogs can point to only one of many possible conditions and potentially something unrelated to the cardiovascular system, we recommend setting up an appointment with the veterinarian if you suspect something unusual.

Early detection is crucial for the treatment of heart disorders in dogs:

A heart examination is one of the most effective diagnostic tools for detecting heart disorders.

During the heart examination a trained cardiologist will use some or all of the following procedures:

• Physical examination: We use a stethoscope to check for abnormal sounds in the heart and lungs of your pet.
• Ultrasound examination: We check and measure the heart chamber, valves, and muscles, as well as the main coronary vessels, by using sound waves. It is a painless and non-invasive procedure.
• Blood pressure: We take the blood pressure values of your pet to check for hyper or hypotension
• Electrocardiogram (EKG): We measure the electric activity of your dog's heart to diagnose a heart arrhythmia, among other conditions.
• X-rays: With a diagnostic image, such as an X-ray, we can see the size of the heart, its position in the chest, and the general condition of the lungs.
• Blood analysis: We can thoroughly analyze the blood to discover chemical deficiencies or surpluses that point to cardiovascular problems.

Treatments

Choosing the right medicine and its dosage will depend on the diagnosis and the stage of the heart disorder.

Regular check-ups are vital for determining the treatment's efficiency and response.

This information will help our vets ensure the best possible results in treating your pet - as long as possible. We will help you give them the best possible quality of life.

Our cardiologist will work with you and your dpet to determine the best action plan.

It will include various factors, such as existing medical conditions, age, and potential quality of life resulting from further medical intervention.

Please schedule an appointment for your pet's complete cardiac check-up.

Urinary problems in pets

The urinary system consists of kidneys, bladder, ureter, and urethra.

The development of urinary diseases in dogs and cats is frequent; however, males have a greater risk of urinary disorders becoming life-threatening if not treated promptly.

Symptoms of urinary disorders can vary depending on the stage of infection. Awareness of the warning signs is critical for your pet, as it will enable you to seek treatments as early as possible, which can be crucial.

Warning signs of urinary system disorders:

• Abnormal and frequent urination
• Inappropriate urination
• Straining during urination
• Blood in the urine
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Inflammation around the genitals

Specific urinary disorders

Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is not a specific disease but an expression used to describe the conditions that can affect the bladder of cats.

For most cats with the symptoms of feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), the cause is unknown.

Calculus or calculi in the bladder are stone/gravel/sand like mineral formations in the bladder, either individual, or several at once.

Prostate disease

In male animals, the prostate gland is located in the pelvis behind the bladder. Since prostate enlargement is common for most prostate diseases because the urethra passes through the prostate, the growth of the prostate compresses it making urination difficult.

Kidney disease

Kidney disease (chronic kidney failure) is the most common medical disease affecting cats. The disease must affect about 70 % of kidneys before symptoms become noticeable.