Animal Internal Medicine: Innovative Treatment Options
April 11, 2023Internal medicine in animals is an essential field of veterinary medicine that focuses on diagnosing and treating illnesses that affect animals’ internal organs and tissues. Many treatments are utilized to manage and treat these ailments.
As an owner of an animal, you should work closely with your vet to establish the most effective treatment plan considering the animal’s age, overall health, and the possibility of risks involved with the treatment. When you know the best treatments for your pet, you can make educated choices regarding your pet’s health and well-being.
Various Treatments Used in Animal Internal Medicine
Animal internal medicine is essential to ensure animals’ health and improve their lives. Below are various treatments used in animal internal medicine.
Medications
One of the most common treatment options used in animal internal medicine is medication. Medicines can be utilized to control and treat various illnesses that affect internal organs in animals.
For example, if a dog is diagnosed with heart disease, medications will help to manage the symptoms and increase the dog’s quality of life. Some commonly used medications in animal internal medicine include anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and painkillers.
Surgery
Surgery is yet another method of treatment in internal medicine for animals. It is sometimes necessary to remove tumors or repair damaged organs such as kidneys or the liver. Surgery at River Oak Veterinary Hospital can be performed on small animals like birds, rodents, rabbits and reptiles. The choice to undergo an operation is based on several factors, including the animal’s age, general health, and the nature of the condition.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a treatment for animals that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It is a standard human medicine treatment utilized in animal internal medicine.
Chemotherapy is a treatment option for those suffering from cancer and may improve their quality of life by slowing down the progression of the disease. But, it is not without risk and adverse side effects. Therefore, you must discuss the potential advantages and risks with your vet.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is the process of using high-energy radiation to kill cancerous cells. It can be performed by itself or with other treatments such as surgery or chemotherapy.
Depending on the diagnosis, a veterinary internist may recommend various treatments. The use of radiation therapy is generally recommended for those with cancer that is not spreading to other organs.
Fluid Therapy
Fluid therapy is a method utilized to alleviate dehydration in animals. Different factors, like vomiting, diarrhea, or kidney disease, can trigger dehydration.
It involves administering fluids to the animal to replace the lost fluids and electrolytes. The treatment is usually administered intravenously and helps restore the animal’s water status.
Nutritional Therapy
The practice of nutrition therapy is employed to control and prevent various animal diseases, including kidney disease, diabetes, and liver diseases. This treatment involves using specialized nutrition or supplements to provide animals with the necessary nutrients to ensure health. It is typically tailored to the particular animal’s requirements and requirements, and you must consider the potential advantages of this procedure with your veterinarian; look up “pet checkup near me” for the best results.
Blood Transfusions
Blood transfusions are utilized in animal internal medicine to manage conditions such as anemia or blood loss. The treatment involves administering blood or products to the animal to replenish the lost blood. In some instances, blood transfusions are lifesaving. It would help to discuss the potential negatives and advantages with your veterinarian.
