Dec 8, 2023 | Veterinary Specialty Services
Feline internal medicine is a complex field of veterinary care – and it can be difficult to understand the various treatments and medications used to manage these conditions. As such, pet owners should be aware of the basics of feline internal medicine so that they can make informed decisions about their cat’s health care.
In general, medications are used to treat diseases and conditions related to feline internal medicine. These may include antibiotics for infections; anti-inflammatory drugs for chronic inflammation or allergies; antifungals for fungal infections; antiparasitics for worms or other parasites; hormones for endocrine disorders such as diabetes or thyroid disease; immunosuppressants to weaken an overactive immune system response in autoimmune diseases; antacids/ulcer medications for gastrointestinal issues; corticosteroids to reduce inflammation associated with allergies, asthma, and other immune system disorders; chemotherapy drugs for cancer management; and more.
Depending on the specific diagnosis, some medications may need to be given orally (by mouth) while others may need to be injected intramuscularly (into a muscle), intravenously (into a vein), subcutaneously (under the skin), or topically (directly onto the skin). The type of medication prescribed will also depend on the severity of your cat’s condition and how long it is expected to last. Some cats require lifelong medication use while others may require only short-term treatment.
When it comes to administering medications, pet owners should always follow their veterinarian’s recommendations carefully in order to ensure that their cat receives appropriate treatment in a safe way. It is also important that pet owners understand potential side effects from any medications prescribed, as well as any dietary restrictions that might come along with them.
It is also important that pet owners know when they should seek additional veterinary care if their cat does not seem to be responding positively to treatment or if they are experiencing adverse reactions from any medication prescribed by their veterinarian. This could include symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite or weight loss after starting a new medication regimen – all signs which could indicate an underlying issue needing further investigation by an experienced medical professional at Golden Gate Veterinary Specialists.
Overall, understanding feline internal medicine and its related treatments can help pet parents make informed decisions about their cat’s health care needs – including recognizing when extra veterinary attention might be necessary. When it comes time for specialized treatment options like those offered at Golden Gate Veterinary Specialists, you can rest assured knowing you have taken steps towards ensuring your beloved kitty receives quality care tailored specifically towards his/her needs!
Dec 7, 2023 | Veterinary Specialty Services
If your pet is exhibiting signs of illness or injury and you’re looking for specialized veterinary care, it may be time to visit a veterinary internal medicine specialist. Veterinary internal medicine specialists are veterinarians who have gone the extra mile in their education and training to focus on the diagnosis and treatment of serious diseases and conditions that affect small animals like cats, dogs, birds, reptiles, and other pets.
Before you go to the appointment with your pet, it’s important to understand what you can expect from an appointment with a veterinary internal medicine specialist.
The Initial Visit
When you first meet with a veterinary internal medicine specialist, they will ask questions about your pet’s medical history and current condition. They may also take blood samples or perform other tests in order to get a better understanding of what is causing your pet’s symptoms. In some cases, they may refer you back to your regular veterinarian for additional testing before making any treatment recommendation.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Once the diagnostic tests are completed, your vet will review the results with you and discuss any potential treatment recommendations. Depending on the condition being treated, this could involve medications or surgery. The vet may also recommend lifestyle changes such as dietary modifications or exercise restrictions during recovery time. In some cases where the condition is more severe, referral for further specialty care may be necessary in order to provide optimal care for your pet.
Follow Up Care & Monitoring
After treatment has been started or referred out for specialty care, periodic follow up visits are necessary in order to monitor progress over time. During these visits your vet will review lab work results and ask about how things have been going since the last visit so that any adjustments can be made if needed. It’s important that these follow up visits occur as recommended by your veterinarian so that progress can be monitored appropriately over time.
Conclusion
Visiting an internal medicine specialty clinic can help ensure that your pet gets all of the specialized care they need when dealing with chronic or acute illnesses or injuries related to their internal organs or systems. During an appointment with a Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialist you can expect questions about medical history as well as diagnostic testing so that an accurate diagnosis can be made followed by discussion of potential treatments options available for managing their condition over time along with follow up monitoring visits as needed down the road.. For more information about Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialists at Golden Gate Veterinary Specialists contact us today!
Dec 6, 2023 | Veterinary Specialty Services
For pet owners in the Northern California Bay area and Lagunitas, cataracts are a common problem for dogs and cats. While cataracts can cause vision problems for animals, it is important to know that advances in technology have made them easier to treat than ever before.
What are Cataracts?
Cataracts are a clouding of the lens inside of the eye that can lead to vision impairment. In pets, this usually occurs due to either age-related changes or an injury or trauma to the eye. Cataracts can form slowly over time, or come on suddenly depending on the cause. Symptoms often include cloudy eyes, squinting, discolored pupils, increased light sensitivity and difficulty with low-light vision. As cataracts worsen over time they will cause more significant vision impairment if left untreated.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnosing cataracts typically requires a physical exam from a veterinarian as well as advanced imaging techniques such as ultrasound or computed tomography (CT). It is important that any underlying issues be ruled out prior to treatment. Once cataracts have been diagnosed, they can be treated surgically through a procedure called phacoemulsification – commonly referred to as “cataract surgery” – which involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial one called an intraocular lens (IOL). This type of surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia and provides excellent results when done properly by an experienced veterinary ophthalmologist.
Advances in Technology
While cataract surgery has been available for many years now, recent advances in technology have made it even safer and more successful than ever before. Not only has the equipment used become increasingly precise but also there has been much progress made in terms of creating better types of IOLs that are designed specifically for use in animals’ eyes – allowing them to regain their full vision without any long-term side effects from either the surgery itself or from wearing foreign material inside their eyes long-term (as was previously necessary).
Conclusion
Cataract surgery is now one of the most reliable treatments available for pets who suffer from clouded lenses due to age or injury – thanks largely due to advances in technology over recent years which have allowed veterinarians to provide successful outcomes with less risk than ever before. If your pet is showing signs of impaired vision related to a possible cataract diagnosis then it is recommended that you contact Golden Gate Veterinary Specialists right away for further evaluation and treatment options so your pet can see clearly again soon!
Dec 5, 2023 | Veterinary Specialty Services
As a pet owner, you know that your furry family member means the world to you. Unfortunately, dogs can develop cancer just like humans. If your dog is experiencing signs and symptoms of cancer, it’s important to get them evaluated by a veterinary specialist in order to receive the best treatment possible.
At Golden Gate Veterinary Specialists in Northern California Bay Area and Larkspur, we understand how devastating it can be when you find out that your beloved pup has cancer. That’s why our veterinary specialists are committed to providing innovative treatments for canine cancer. We offer the latest treatments and therapies designed to give your pup the best chance at a long and healthy life.
Cancer is an umbrella term used for diseases caused by abnormal cell growth that can spread throughout the body if left untreated. Dogs of any age or breed can be affected by cancer and there are many different types including skin, blood, bone, lymphoma and brain tumors. Signs and symptoms will depend on the type of tumor present as well as where it’s located in the body but may include:
• Weight loss or gain
• Swelling in certain areas of their body
• Unexplained lameness or limping
• Abnormal bleeding or discharge from any part of their body
• Loss of appetite
• Difficulty breathing
It’s important to note that some tumors are benign (non-cancerous) while others are malignant (cancerous). Your veterinarian will be able to diagnose if your pup has cancer via physical examination as well as laboratory tests such as blood work, x-rays or an ultrasound. Once a diagnosis is made they will recommend an appropriate treatment plan which may include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy depending on the type and location of tumor present.
At Golden Gate Veterinary Specialists we strive to provide our patients with high quality care utilizing state-of-the-art treatments for canine cancer including immunotherapy which harnesses a pet’s own immune system to fight off disease; gene therapy which uses modified genes that target specific cells; targeted therapies which use drugs designed specifically for certain types of cancers; stem cell therapy which uses stem cells from other parts of the body; laser therapy which uses light energy to target diseased cells; cryosurgery (freezing) for localized tumors; photodynamic therapy (PDT) which utilizes photosensitive drugs along with light energy to treat certain types of cancers; hyperthermia (heat) therapy which works by heating up diseased cells so they die off more quickly than healthy cells; and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) where radio waves are used instead heat up tumors allowing them to die off more quickly than healthy tissue.
We understand how difficult it is when you find out that your beloved pup has been diagnosed with cancer but rest assured our team is here every step of the way providing compassionate care along with innovative treatments designed specifically for their needs giving them every chance at living a long life full health! If you suspect that your pet may have cancer don’t hesitate – contact Golden Gate Veterinary Specialists today! Our team stands ready to provide comprehensive evaluation & treatment plans utilizing advanced technologies tailored specifically for each patient giving them every opportunity at living a long life filled with health & happiness!
Dec 4, 2023 | Veterinary Specialty Services
If you are a pet owner in the Northern California Bay area or Lagunitas, you may have heard of veterinary internists. But what is a veterinary internist? Veterinary internists specialize in diagnosing and treating complex medical problems in animals. This type of specialty care is often needed for pets with challenging and difficult to diagnose cases.
When dealing with an animal’s health, it is important to understand all treatment options available. Veterinary internists provide specialized care that may not be available through your general veterinarian. These experts have advanced training in internal medicine – diseases that affect the body’s organs, such as the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract – as well as endocrine and metabolic diseases like diabetes and thyroid conditions.
Veterinary internists can also assist with diagnosing neurological conditions like seizures or mobility issues due to arthritis or other age-related defects. They can provide specialized care for cancer patients such as chemotherapy or radiation treatment plans tailored specifically for your pet’s needs. And they specialize in evaluating complex cases when multiple issues need to be addressed at once.
In some cases, veterinary internists may even recommend performing certain tests or procedures that your general veterinarian does not offer such as ultrasounds or endoscopies – both of which are important tools for diagnosing many medical conditions early on before they become more serious health concerns.
When you take your pet to the vet for a check-up or routine surgery, veterinarians typically perform physical examinations to diagnose any underlying health problems before recommending further testing if necessary. However, when certain symptoms persist despite these exams and basic diagnostic tests such as blood work or X-rays have been completed without an obvious diagnosis being revealed it may be time to consult with a veterinary internal medicine specialist who can help you identify what is causing your pet’s discomfort and provide effective treatments tailored specifically for their needs.
At Golden Gate Veterinary Specialists our team of experienced veterinary interns are committed to providing excellent patient care by combining their knowledge of internal medicine with compassionate client service when helping you determine the best course of action for your pet’s health needs. We understand how hard it can be when dealing with a sick pet so we strive to make sure our clients feel comfortable throughout every step of the process from diagnosis through recovery while offering guidance specific to their case every step of the way so they know exactly what options are available for their furry family member’s care plan moving forward.
If you think that your pet is suffering from an underlying condition that requires specialized attention do not hesitate to reach out to us at Golden Gate Veterinary Specialists where we will provide comprehensive evaluations and treatments tailored just for them!
Dec 1, 2023 | Veterinary Specialty Services
As pet owners, it’s important to be aware of how our pets age and the specific needs they may have as they grow older. It is essential to remember that aging is a natural process and with the right care, your pet can enjoy a good quality of life for a long time.
The aging process can manifest itself differently in different animal species. As cats and dogs age, their hormonal balances, immune systems, and metabolism change. All of these factors contribute to how well they live as they get older. It’s also important to note that changes in behavior often occur due to the different physical changes that come with aging.
Changes in diet are particularly important for senior pets; it’s best to consult with a veterinary professional who specializes in internal medicine regarding what type of diet is best for your pet’s age and individual needs. Proper nutrition will help maintain your pet’s health, increase their energy levels, and support healthy tissue function as they get older.
It’s not just diet that needs attention when caring for an aging pet; regular exercise should also be part of their routine if possible. Exercise helps keep muscles strong and joints flexible which will help preserve mobility as your pet ages more comfortably. Additionally, regular exercise helps keep your pet at a healthy weight which helps reduce stress on vital organs like their heart or liver while also aiding digestion.
One of the most important aspects when caring for an aging pet is knowing what signs or symptoms may signal something more serious such as cancer or other diseases common with advanced age animals like kidney disease or diabetes mellitus. These signs may include any combination of decreased appetite, increased water consumption/urination frequency (polyuria/polydipsia), weight loss/gain without any dietary change (especially if accompanied by decreased energy levels), vomiting/diarrhea episodes lasting longer than 24 hours, limping/lameness for more than 3-4 days without any obvious external causes like foreign objects lodged into skin/coat etc., coughing or labored breathing episodes lasting longer than 12-24 hours etc., If you observe any signs like these in your senior pet it’s best to seek immediate medical attention from a professional specialising in internal medicine such as Golden Gate Veterinary Specialists who can help diagnose potential illnesses before they become more serious conditions requiring aggressive therapy or cause permanent damage due to late diagnosis.
When caring for an older animal it’s important not only to remain vigilant regarding potential health issues but also pay attention even when everything appears normal; regular checkups are still necessary even if no particular problems are observed at home since some conditions may not present obvious symptoms until after significant damage has already occurred internally making them more difficult (and expensive) to treat successfully long term – so prevention really is better than cure! And finally don’t forget about emotional wellbeing – if you notice behavioral changes like anxiety or aggression seek professional help from experts at Golden Gate Veterinary Specialists who can help put together behavioural modification plans tailored specifically for your senior companion so he can live his golden years happily!
If you’re looking for advice on caring after an aging pet visit Golden Gate Veterinary Specialists where experienced internal medicine specialists are ready to provide specialized care tailored specifically towards your loved one’s unique needs throughout the various stages of his life – helping him stay happy and healthy throughout his golden years!
