Internal Medicine is the branch of veterinary medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders involving multiple organ systems. These include various cancers, endocrine (i.e. diabetes mellitus), respiratory, gastrointestinal, hematologic, urinary, immune-mediated, infectious disease, hepatic, neurological, and cardiac disease. At the Veterinary Emergency Clinic both neurological and cardiac disease are cared for by our Neurology and Cardiology specialists respectively.
Dr. Doug Mason is board certified by the American College of Internal Medicine, Specialty of Small Animal Internal Medicine, and is supported by a dedicated staff of specialized registered veterinary technicians.
After evaluating the patient, the internist will make recommendations for the most appropriate diagnostic testing for the animal, in order to properly establish the condition(s) involved and to determine the possible treatment options. Some of the advanced diagnostic procedures that may be recommended include:
- Specialized blood testing
- Ultrasound
- Abdominal
- Thoracic
- Soft tissue
- Biopsy via ultrasound guidance
- Radiographs
- Endoscopy
- Gastroscopy
- Colonoscopy
- Bronchoscopy (all sized dogs and cats)
- Rhinoscopy (all sized dogs and cats)
- Cystoscopy (all sized dogs except those less than 2 kg and female cats)
- Bone marrow evaluation
- Biopsies
- CT scan
As a part of the VEC’s diverse referral clinic, the Internal Medicine service has direct consultative access to veterinary specialists in various other disciplines – including oncology – ensuring the most complete approach to each patient’s medical and surgical needs.
The VEC is a 24 hour, 7 day a week facility. All patients requiring hospitalization will be closely monitored throughout the day and night by qualified veterinarians and registered veterinary technical staff. The comfort, safety and well being of the patient are their primary concern.
Consultations with Dr. Mason are available by referral from a primary care veterinarian.
