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Small Animal Internal Medicine

Veterinary Small Animal Internal Medicine is defined as the specialty branch of veterinary medicine concerned with non-surgical diseases in animals.    All specialties of AIMVT are further defined to include the advanced knowledge of wellness and preventative medicine, a detailed knowledge of complex, acute and chronic disease states, and a thorough knowledge of the anatomy, pathology and pathophysiology of animals.

Veterinary Technicians working in small animal internal medicine are often working in the following areas.

• Conditions involving the gastrointestinal tract. Including those of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and the small and large intestine. Some of the diseases in this system are Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Pancreatitis. Also the diagnosis and treatment of conditions involving diarrhea, esophageal dysfunction, and vomiting.
• Nutrition, including dietary issues, prescription diets, and the management of obesity and weight loss.
• Conditions involving the urinary tract. Including the kidneys, ureters and bladder. Veterinary Technicians provide nursing support for patients with renal disease, urinary tract obstruction and bladder disease.
• Diseases of the endocrine system, including the adrenals and thyroid glands and the management of Diabetes Mellitus. Often assisting in the care and management of patients with Hypo and Hyper thyroidism and Hypo and Hyper adrenocorticism. Also conditions involving reproductive issues.
• Conditions and diseases involving the liver, especially the treatment and management of Hepatic Lipidosis.
• The study and treatment of respiratory conditions. Including problems associated with the nasopharnyx, larynx, upper and lower airways.
• Disorders of the blood including clotting disorders, anemia, transfusions, and mycoplasma infections.
• Infectious diseases including FeLV, FIV, FIP, Heartworm, Babesiosis, Rickettsial Infections, Lyme Disease, and Leptospirosis.
• Pharmacology and drug reactions
• Dermatology
• Immunology

Often sophisticated diagnostic tests and equipment is employed. The Veterinary Technician is involved in obtaining and performing these tests. The use of endoscopy, bronchoscopy, ultrasound, MRI imaging, and CT imaging, to name a few, aids in the diagnostic process. Monitoring the condition of patients using various technologies to track vital signs is another important part of the job.

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