General medicine. The everyday consultation for dogs, cats & small pets

General medicine is the heart of our practice: this is where everything lands that worries you in everyday life as a pet owner, from the cat that has not eaten since yesterday to the dog that suddenly limps. Unlike a planned preventive appointment, the general consultation is the spontaneous visit because of a specific complaint. It is usually the first step before we decide whether further diagnostics or a specialist consultation are required.

When to come for a general consultation

Many owners hesitate because they are unsure whether what they are seeing is „serious enough". Our experience: better come once too early than once too late. Typical reasons for a general consultation include:

• Your dog or cat no longer eats properly or refuses food
• Vomiting, diarrhoea or persistent gastrointestinal trouble
• Lameness, stiffness or reluctance to move
• Skin changes, itching or hair loss
• Eye discharge, red eyes or squinting
• Behavioural changes — withdrawal, restlessness, sleeping more
• Signs of pain such as panting at rest, sensitivity to touch or vocalisation

Even if you simply feel that „something is not right", that is a good reason for an appointment. You know your pet best. And exactly those observations matter to us.

How the consultation works

So that you know what to expect, here is an overview of the typical steps:

1. History-taking in conversation. We listen to you: When did the problem start? Has anything changed in everyday life — food, housing, exercise? Are there pre-existing conditions or medications? This information is often the most important building block for the diagnosis.
2. Clinical examination. We look at your pet from head to paw: listening to heart and lungs, palpating the abdomen and lymph nodes, checking skin, eyes, ears and mouth, assessing the musculoskeletal system. With painful patients, we proceed gently and in a targeted way.
3. Further diagnostics if needed. If the clinical examination is not enough, we add blood or urine tests, ultrasound, X-ray or ECG — usually directly on site, so that you do not have to come back separately.
4. Treatment planning together. We explain in clear terms what we have found and what treatment options are available. You help decide which path is the right one for your pet — and for you as the owner.

Most concerns can be fully resolved in the general consultation. If not, we plan the next steps with you.

Specialist consultations if needed

Some clinical pictures benefit from a more in-depth assessment in one of our specialist consultations. You do not necessarily have to change practice, many areas are covered in-house and we can hand things over seamlessly.

Acute emergency or general consultation?

The general consultation takes place during our regular opening hours by appointment. In an acute, life-threatening emergency, for example severe breathing difficulty, seizures, serious injuries or suspected poisoning — every minute counts. In that case, do not wait for a regular appointment.

General medicine in Cremlingen and the region

Our practice in Cremlingen is easily reached by pet owners from Braunschweig, Königslutter am Elm, Wolfenbüttel and Wolfsburg. We deliberately take time for the general consultation. So that you can describe your concerns and your pet can experience the appointment calmly. You are welcome to arrange an appointment by phone or online; in the case of sudden complaints, we do our best to see you promptly.