Veterinary Gastroenterology: Treating Digestive Diseases & Conditions in Morris County Pets

An important specialty in veterinary internal medicine is the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, or diseases and conditions of the digestive tract. Since many pets live lives exposed to the outdoors, the variety of ingestible irritants is endless. Even indoor pets may ingest household items or pieces of pet toys that could do damage to their digestive tract. And, as they age, any pet may develop diseases that directly or indirectly impact the digestive system.

The veterinarians at Community Animal Hospital are skilled in diagnosing and treating a wide variety of gastrointestinal disorders.

What Is Gastrointestinal Disease?

Diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract include the organs from mouth to anus, such as the stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, pancreas, and gall bladder, that are the focus of your pet's digestion.

Examples of gastrointestinal disorders in your pet might be swallowed or chewed items, pancreatitis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Symptoms of gastrointestinal concerns include the following:

• Vomiting
• Abdominal bloating or swelling
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea
• Poor body condition

Of course, pain is a symptom of many problems and can certainly indicate an acute intestinal situation. The above symptoms, combined with indicators of pain, signal a possible emergency and should be taken seriously.

If your pet develops any of these symptoms, we recommend you contact our office for a consultation with one of our veterinarians. A thorough exam, blood work, and diagnostic procedures, such as ultrasound, may be required to find the cause of your pet?s problems.

Should surgery become necessary, our highly skilled surgical team is prepared to provide the quality of care your pet deserves.

If your pet exhibits behaviors that may indicate a digestive problem, contact your Community Animal Hospital veterinarian at once.

Do you wonder about behaviors that may indicate a gastrointestinal problem in your pet? The veterinarians at AAHA answer these common questions: Why Does My Pet Eat Grass? and What Can I Do If My Cat Vomits Regularly?.