Internal medicine is at the heart of daily veterinary work. It covers everything that happens inside the body — heart and circulation, lungs, kidneys, liver, the gastrointestinal tract and hormonal glands such as the thyroid or pancreas. Many of these conditions only show themselves late, sometimes only through a changed drinking pattern, lower energy or a slow loss of weight. This page gives you an overview of what internal medicine looks like at our practice in Cremlingen, from the first work-up through ultrasound and lab tests to long-term care for chronic illnesses.
Service · Internal medicine
Internal medicine for dogs, cats & small pets
Chronic illnesses often develop quietly. We take time to recognise them, understand them, and to walk alongside your pet for years to come.
Focus areas at a glance
Our internal-medicine areas
For several internal-medicine fields we have put together dedicated detail pages. Below you will find deeper information on the areas we see most often in the practice.
Cardiology
Cardiac ultrasound, ECG and follow-up for heart disease, from clarifying an early heart murmur to supporting pets with chronic cardiac conditions.
To cardiologyDermatology
Skin, coat, ears and allergies: we work through itching, skin changes and chronic skin conditions step by step until we find the cause.
To dermatologyGynaecology
Diseases of the uterus and reproductive organs, pregnancy care and advice around neutering — calm, gentle and at your pet's pace.
To gynaecologyDiagnostics & laboratory
Ultrasound, X-ray, ECG and our in-house laboratory, many important results are available quickly, often during the same appointment.
To diagnostics
Understanding chronic conditions
Common internal conditions in dogs and cats
Many chronic diseases can be managed well today, provided they are recognised early. Here is a short overview of the fields we encounter most often.
Diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats
In diabetes mellitus the body can no longer regulate blood sugar properly. Typical signs are increased thirst, more frequent urination and weight loss despite a good appetite. With the right insulin adjustment, regular monitoring and a suitable diet, diabetes can usually be managed well, and many cats can even become insulin-free again if the condition is diagnosed early.
Thyroid disorders
In older cats, an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) is particularly common. It causes restlessness, weight loss and a greatly increased appetite. In dogs it tends to be the other way round: an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) leads to tiredness, sluggishness and coat changes. Both are easy to detect through blood tests and can be treated reliably with medication.
Kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease is one of the most common age-related illnesses in cats but also affects dogs. The kidneys gradually lose function long before the animal looks visibly unwell. Early signs are increased thirst, larger volumes of urine and slow weight loss. With a tailored diet, sufficient fluid intake and targeted medication, the course of disease can often be kept stable for years.
Liver disease
The liver is a remarkably patient organ. It shows problems only late. Changed liver values in the blood, yellowish mucous membranes or vomiting can be the first hints. Causes range from medication and food to inflammation and hormonal disorders. A thorough work-up with blood tests and ultrasound helps us to choose the right treatment.
Gastrointestinal disorders
Recurrent vomiting, chronic diarrhoea or a persistently sensitive stomach should not be dismissed as "normal". Behind such symptoms can hide food intolerances, chronic intestinal inflammation or other internal conditions. We follow the causes systematically and talk you calmly through the next steps.
Diagnostics in-house
Ultrasound and the lab as our key tools
In internal medicine, good diagnostics decide how precisely we can treat. We rely on two pillars, both available on-site in Cremlingen.
Sonography and ultrasound
Ultrasound is one of the most important tools in internal medicine. Gentle and free of radiation, it gives a direct look at liver, spleen, kidneys, bladder, heart and digestive tract. Changes in size, structure or blood flow of the organs can often already be assessed during the first appointment. And they give us a clear direction for the next steps.
Blood tests and our own laboratory
We obtain many blood values within minutes in our practice. This means we can decide quickly whether something is time-critical in acute cases, and adjust therapy closely in chronic patients. For more extensive panels we also work with an external specialist laboratory. You will find a more detailed overview on our page Diagnostics & laboratory.
Follow-up and medication management
Chronic conditions are rarely settled in a single appointment. We plan the necessary check-ups with you, adjust dosages, talk through side effects and remain your point of contact over the years. It is precisely this calm, ongoing care that often makes the biggest difference in internal medicine, both for your pet's health and for your own confidence in living with the illness.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about internal medicine
What does internal medicine cover at the vet?
Internal medicine deals with diseases of the internal organs, including heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, the gastrointestinal tract and hormonal glands such as the thyroid and pancreas. It covers diagnosis, medical treatment and long-term management of chronic conditions.
How can I tell if my pet has an internal condition?
Common signs include increased thirst, more frequent urination, weight loss despite a good appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue or a dull coat. These signs can have many causes, an examination with blood work and ultrasound helps to put them into context.
How often should a chronically ill pet have check-ups?
It depends on the illness and on how your pet is doing. In the beginning, more frequent visits help us to fine-tune the therapy. Once the condition is stable, appointments every three to six months, supplemented by blood checks — are often sufficient.
Which tests are typical in internal medicine?
Beyond the clinical examination, the most important steps are blood work, organ values, urine analysis and abdominal ultrasound. Depending on the question, we add ECG, X-ray or more specialised tests.
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Book an appointment online or give us a call. We are happy to advise you personally.
