Thoracocentesis

Feeding tubes can be placed as a temporary or more permanent aid in the feeding of pets that can't or won't eat due to a variety of conditions. These tubes are placed either into the esophagus or into the stomach. Nutrition plans and follow up treatments are formulated by our veterinary team.

Ultrasound studies are most helpful to evaluate soft tissue and fluid structures. Energy in the form of sound waves is passed into the body. Reflected sound waves returning to the probe are used to create an image of the internal organs. Moving organs may be evaluated during motion, such as the beating heart, flowing blood and contracting intestines. Gastrointestinal foreign material may be identified on an ultrasound exam when it is not apparent on radiographs. While radiographs are useful to assess organ size and overall shape, an ultrasound exam allows for evaluation of the organ architecture and blood supply. Ultrasound examinations are commonly performed on the abdomen, thorax, neck, eyes and soft tissue structures of the head, trunk and legs. In addition to assessment of organ architecture, ultrasound examination is helpful to identify free fluid within a body cavity (i.e., thorax and abdomen).

Ultrasound Guided Aspirate and Core Biopsy, Including Abdominocentesis And Thoracocentesis

Following assessment of an organ and the surrounding structures, ultrasound imaging is used to guide needle placement into a selected tissue or cavity. A sample of tissue or fluid may be drawn through the needle as an aspirate to analyze the cells or other contents of the sample (cytology and microbiology). A larger needle may be used to retrieve a small piece of solid tissue for a core-biopsy to analyze the architecture of the tissue (histopathology). Ultrasound guidance is commonly used to removing fluid from the chest cavity (thoracocentesis) and abdominal cavity (abdominocentesis).

Internal Medicine

What is an internal medicine specialist?

A board-certified veterinary internal medicine specialist is a licensed veterinarian who has obtained several years of intensive, additional training to understand how your pet's internal body systems function and to improve their ability to diagnose and treat the many serious diseases that can affect the health of those systems.

These veterinarians (and our internal medicine department is certainly no exception) also have access to diagnostic equipment more advanced than that typically available at a primary care veterinary practice, like sophisticated ultrasound systems or video endoscopes.

Why would my pet need the services of a veterinarian who specializes in internal medicine?

Some diseases are extremely difficult to diagnose or treat properly without advanced training and equipment.

-When the diagnosis is known, an internal medicine specialist may confirm the diagnosis and treatment, providing peace of mind to pet owners.

-If a diagnosis is proving elusive or therapy is not proving effective, a specialist may be better able to find the diagnosis or adjust treatment plans to get your animal back to health.

Examples of conditions for which your family veterinarian might refer your animal to an internal medicine service include:

-Anemia or other bleeding disorders
-Chronic vomiting or diarrhea
-Complicated pancreatic disease
-Coughing & other breathing problems
-Endocrine disease (adrenal tumors, complicated diabetes, thyroid disorders)
-Infectious disease
-Kidney or bladder disease
-Liver inflammation
-Unexplained weight loss

What should I expect during my visit with the internal medicine department?

The doctor will review your pet's record thoroughly before his or her visit in order to understand the medical background of his or her case. A detailed history will be collected during the visit, and the patient will receive a complete physical exam from the doctor as well. Based on the records, the history, and the exam, the doctor will discuss possible additional diagnostics or treatments with you.

What will happen once my pet has a diagnosis?

After the doctor arrives at a diagnosis, we can discuss issues such as treatment, prognosis, quality of life and other issues. If your pet requires hospitalization, our 24 hour intensive care unit can provide round the clock doctor and nursing care.

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Our Internal Medicine Services

Pain Management

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Abdominocentesis

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Arthrocentesis

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Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL)

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