Veterinary Internal Medicine

Our Los Angeles vets provide diagnosis and treatment for an assortment of internal conditions seen in cats and dogs, from cardiac issues to reproductive health.

Veterinary Internal Medicine Conditions

If your pet appears to be showing symptoms of an internal condition, your vet will perform an exhaustive psychical exam of your pet to determine the cause of the issue and construct a detailed treatment plan tailored to their needs.

Our veterinarians diagnose and treat the following:

• Cardiology (heart-related disorders)

  Dogs and cats can be susceptible to heart disease, just like people. With the help of our in-house vet lab, our team can determine if your pet is showing signs of a heart condition, so they can get treatment for these potentially life-threatening disorders quickly.

  If your vet is unable to diagnose or treat your dog or cat's heart condition as part of our internal medicine checks we will be sure to forward you to a Board Certified Internal Medicine Vet near Los Angeles, and work with your specialist to ensure that your pet receives the best care. 

• Reproductive Issues

  Our team of veterinary professionals at Washington Dog and Cat Hospital in Los Angeles understands the financial investment and personal commitment that go into breeding companion animals properly. If your animal is experiencing reproductive difficulties, our vets will work to diagnose the issue and offer appropriate treatment options to help resolve the problem. 

• Immunology (immune system disorders)

  Your pet's immune system is responsible for detecting foreign invaders or abnormal cells and beginning defensive action to protect the animal's health. Sometimes the immune system doesn't work exactly like it should, at which point your pet could be diagnosed with an immune-mediated disorder.

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

• Pulmonary Disorders (diseases of the lungs)

  Your pet's respiratory system is vitally important to their survival, it delivers oxygen to the body and eliminates waste gases such as carbon dioxide. Because dogs and cats don't sweat the way people do, their respiratory system also plays a huge role in regulating body temperature.

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

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

• Gastroenterology (digestive organs)

  Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are a common veterinary internal medicine issue seen by our Los Angeles veterinarians. GI conditions affect your pet's stomach and intestines, interfering with the animal's ability to digest food properly and absorb nutrients.

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

• Oncology (tumors and cancer)

  Cancer is a disease that is willing to go after even the fittest people and animals. Early diagnosis is key, many cancers in cats and dogs when caught early can be treated with a variety of different therapies, surgeries, and other approaches.

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

  If your pet requires diagnosis or cancer care beyond the scope of our skilled veterinarians, we will refer you to a veterinary oncology specialist near Los Angeles.  

• Urology (urinary functions, genitourinary tract)

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

  Your pet's urinary tract consists of their kidneys, the tubes that carry urine to the bladder, the bladder, and the urethra that conducts urine out of your animal's body. Urinary tract disorders can affect any part of this system.  

• Endocrinology (glands and their functions)

  Essential hormones are secreted into your pet's body thanks to a number of hard-working glands. These glands and hormones make up your pet's endocrine system. When your pet's endocrine system isn't working properly, the symptoms that can be seen include skin problems and poor coat condition. 

• Neurology (brain and nervous system disorders) 

  Neurology is a branch of veterinary internal medicine covering conditions of the brain and spinal cord, as well as neuromuscular dysfunction. Some of the most common neurological disorders in dogs and cats include seizures, IVDD, and tumors.

  If your animal requires diagnoses or care for neurologic conditions that are beyond the scope of our experienced veterinarians, we will be happy to refer you to an animal internal medicine specialist or veterinary neurologist near Los Angeles. Our vets will work closely with your specialist to ensure that your pet receives the best treatment possible.

Specialist Referrals

If your pet's condition requires a procedure or expertise that we do not offer, we will refer you to a specialized internal medicine vet near Los Angeles

We know that your pet's health is your top priority, so we've made it a point to connect with a network of veterinarian specialists in Los Angeles and the surrounding area, so your pet gets exactly the help they need.