Veterinary Internal Medicine in Capitola

Internal Medicine Conditions

If you notice symptoms of an internal condition in your cat or dog, your vet will perform a complete physical examination of your pet to diagnose their condition and establish an in-depth customized treatment plan to meet your companion's unique needs. 

Our veterinarians are trained and equipped to diagnose and treat conditions in the following areas:

• Cardiology (heart-related disorders)

  Similar to humans, cats and dogs can develop heart diseases and disorders. With the technology we have at our in-house vet lab, our vets can check your pet for signs of heart conditions to provide you with results quickly. Fast results mean treatment can begin sooner. 

  If your vet can't diagnose or treat your pet's heart condition as part of our internal medicine checks we will refer you to a Board Certified Internal Medicine Vet near Capitola, and work with your specialist to guarantee your pet gets the highest quality of care. 

• Reproductive Issues

  Our vets at Santa Cruz Veterinary Hospital in Capitola understand the financial investment and personal commitment that's associated with properly breeding companion animals. If your animal is having reproductive difficulties, our vets will work to diagnose the problem and provide you with the appropriate treatment options to help resolve their issue. 

• Immunology (immune system disorders)

  The immune system of your pet is responsible for finding foreign invaders or abnormal cells and starting the necessary defensive actions to protect the animal's health. Although, sometimes the immune system doesn't always work as it's supposed to, in these situations your pet will be diagnosed with an immune-mediated disorder.

  Common immune-mediated disorders in dogs and cats include allergies, irritable bowel syndrome, anemia, hypothyroidism, skin diseases, and arthritis.

• Pulmonary Disorders (diseases of the lungs)

  Your pet's respiratory system has the important job of delivering oxygen to the body and eliminating waste gases including carbon dioxide. Because dogs and cats don't sweat the way humans do, your pet's respiratory system also has an essential role in regulating body temperature.

  There are a number of common pulmonary disorders seen in dogs, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), canine distemper virus, pneumonia, and lung tumors.

  Common pulmonary disorders in cats include asthma, bronchitis, parasitic worms, bacterial infections, and viruses. 

• Gastroenterology (digestive organs)

  Our veterinarians in Capitola often see pets with gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. GI conditions can affect your cat or dog's stomach and intestines, interfering with their ability to digest food properly and absorb nutrients.

  Animals suffering from GI problems often develop symptoms such as diarrhea, blood in stool, constipation, gas, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and weight loss.

• Oncology (tumors and cancer)

  Even the fittest humans and pets can develop cancer. When cats and dogs are diagnosed with cancer in its earliest stages, it can often be treated with a combination of surgeries, therapies, and other methods.

  A few of the most common cancers in dogs are melanoma, mast cell tumors, lymphoma, and bone cancer. In cats, some of the most common cancers include lymphoma, feline leukemia virus (FeLV), skin cancer, and mammary cancer.

  If your pet needs a diagnosis or cancer care that goes beyond the abilities of our talented veterinarians, we will send you to a veterinary oncology specialist near Capitola.  

• Urology (urinary functions, genitourinary tract)

  Veterinary internal medicine also includes urology conditions such as urinary tract infections (UTIs) in dogs and feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) in cats.

  Your pet's urinary tract contains their kidneys, the tubes that carry urine to the bladder, the bladder, and the urethra that conducts urine out of your cat or dog's body. Urinary tract disorders can impact any part of this system.  

• Endocrinology (glands and their functions)

  Essential hormones are secreted into your pet's body due to the hard work of various glands. These glands and hormones are your pet's endocrine system. When your cat or dog's endocrine system isn't working the way it's supposed to, they can develop symptoms including skin problems and poor coat condition. 

• Neurology (brain and nervous system disorders) 

  Neurology is the part of veterinary internal medicine that covers conditions of the spinal cord, brain as well as neuromuscular dysfunction. A few of the most common neurological disorders in cats and dogs include seizures, IVDD, and tumors.

  If your cat or dog requires a diagnosis or treatments for a neurologic condition that is beyond the scope of our skilled veterinarians, we will be happy to refer you to an animal internal medicine specialist or veterinary neurologist near Capitola. Our vets will work closely with your specialist to make sure your beloved pet gets the best possible treatments.

Specialist Referrals

Our number one priority is the health of your pet.

If your cat or dog needs a procedure or expertise that we can't offer, we will refer you to an experienced veterinary internal medicine specialist near Capitola.