Our Services

Internal Medicine

East Poplarville Veterinary Clinic provides treatment for all aspects of internal medicine including cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, neurology, and ophthalmology. Our expert veterinarian offers examinations, diagnostic tests, and a variety of therapies for sick dogs and cats. For more detailed information on a specific area of internal medicine, please see below.

Cardiology

Dogs and cats can develop heart disease just as people do, however it is less common in cats. Diseases of the heart fall into three main categories: diseases of the heart muscle, diseases of the heart’s nervous system, and diseases of the valves that separate the chambers.

The following symptoms could possibly indicate that your pet is suffering from heart disease:

  • Coughing
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Fainting
  • Reduced ability to exercise
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Behavior changes
  • Rear limb weakness

Most cardiac patients are diagnosed using tests such as electrocardiograms, chest radiography, and ultrasound.

Endocrinology

Endocrinology is the branch of veterinary medicine that diagnoses and treats problems with the endocrine glands. These glands are responsible for secreting hormones that regulate organ functions in your dog or cat’s body. When the organs secrete too little or too much of the hormones, problems arise that could eventually prove to be life threatening.

Some glands that make up the endocrine system are the pituitary, hypothalamus, thyroid and parathyroid, adrenal, pancreas, ovaries (females) and testes (male).

As pets age, they are more susceptible to endocrine malfunction and may develop some of the same diseases found in humans such as Cushing’s disease, Addison’s disease, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.

Pet’s afflicted with Cushing’s disease typically have the following symptoms:

  • Increased thirst and urination
  • Increased hunger
  • Increased panting
  • Pot-bellied abdomen
  • Obesity
  • Fat pads on the neck and shoulders
  • Recurrent infections of skin, ears, urinary tract, etc.
  • Loss of hair

Endocrine gland disorders are often difficult to notice. Quite often the symptoms of gland disorders may go undetected or may be mistaken for a different condition. Regular pet wellness visits can provide early detection of glandular problems.

Gastroenterology

Gastrointestinal and disgestive diseases affect your pet’s stomach and intestinal tract causing pain and other problems. Typical gastrointestinal diseases affecting pets are gastroenteritis, inflammatory bowel disease, food allergies, stomach ulcers and tumors, parasite infections, and intestinal blockage.

Some signs that your pet may be experiencing gastrointestinal issues include:

  • Vomiting
  • Flatulence or bloating
  • Abdominal pain
  • Blood or mucus in feces
  • Constipation
  • Change in appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Weakness or lethargy

Upon initial examination, our experienced veterinarian will determine if the problem is minor or life threatening. Appropriate tests such as bloodwork, fecal tests, radiographs or ultrasound will be conducted to diagnose your pet’s condition accurately so that treatment may be administered as soon as possible.

Neurology

Veterinary neurology involves the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. Commonly treated disorders include brain tumors, balance problems, epilepsy, intervertebral disc diseases, meningitis, and seizures.

You should bring your pet in for an examination if you observe the following symptoms:

  • Back pain
  • Neck pain
  • An abnormality in the walking gait
  • Partial or complete disuse or paralysis of one or more legs
  • Weakness
  • Imbalance
  • Disorientation
  • Seizures
  • An unexplained change in behavior
  • Inexplicable pain

Our experienced veterinarian will conduct a thorough physical exam of your pet to determine the possible source of the condition, perhaps leading to further testing using radiography or other in-house diagnostics. Depending upon the diagnosis, treatment may involve medication, surgery, or physical therapy.

Ophthalmology

Have you noticed that your dog has been bumping into walls and furniture lately? Have you looked in your pet’s eyes and noticed them having excessive blinking, squinting, having redness, cloudiness, or they’re secreting a discharge? Maybe you’ve noticed their eyes appear to be bulging or they have an opaque film on the eyes? These symptoms may indicate that your pet has an eye condition that requires treatment from your veterinarian.

Common eye conditions for dogs and cats include issues such as glaucoma, cataracts, eyelid tumors, retinal diseases, conjunctivitis and dry eyes. Glaucoma, found most often in dogs, is characterized by a painful pressure inside the eye that increases and causes damage to the retina and the optic nerve, and eventually can cause blindness. Dry eyes are often inflamed due to a lack of tear production. Debris and bacteria build up in the eye and causes the production of a thick yellow-green discharge.

If you notice any of the above symptoms, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian and have your pet’s eyes checked. Treatments for eye conditions can often be treated with medication, but sometimes requires surgery. Your experienced veterinarian can perform an examination of the eyes and determine the best treatment.

Our pets can’t tell us when their vision is blurry or when they have pain that you can’t see. Routine wellness visits are important to the overall well-being of your pets including having their eyes checked by a certified veterinarian. Prevention and detecting problems early is always the best option.

Our policy at East Poplarville Veterinary Clinic is that if we are unable to treat your animal's specific internal medical issue, we will refer you to a veterinarian who specializes in that area in order to provide comprehensive care for your pet.