What Can a Pet Specialist Do For Your Pet?
Your family doctor can refer you to a specialist, for example, an cardiologist or dermatologist, in case you are concerned about your health. A specialist for pets can assist if your pet's problem isn't addressed by the family veterinarian.
To become board certified a veterinary specialist must undergo rigorous training, perform research and publish in their area of expertise and pass a series of exams.
Veterinary Medicine
When people think of vets, their first frame of reference is the vet who cares for their pet. But the area of veterinary medicine is broad. Veterinarians are not just able to diagnose and treat pets suffering from illness as well as stop the spread of diseases that affect animals to humans and preserve wildlife. They assist in ensuring a safe food supply by ensuring the health of animals in agriculture and by examining the food processing facilities. pet care at home of industrial pollution and pesticides on humans and animals.
In the clinic, the majority of veterinarians practice general veterinary medicine, treating all types of domestic pets as well as farm animals. pet care at home of veterinarians specialize in small animals such as rodents and birds, larger domestic animals such as cattle and horses, or exotic species such iguanas.
After completing veterinary school, some vets opt to pursue further training in one of the 22 AVMA-recognized specialties in veterinary medicine. This further training lets them be board certified in a specific area of veterinary medicine.
For instance, veterinary radiologists use imaging techniques such as xrays, ultrasound and computed tomography scans to diagnose and monitor the progress of health issues in animals. Veterinary surgeons are specialists in large and small animals and perform a variety of procedures including spays and neuters and dental procedures.
Other veterinary specialists are those who manage animal reproduction like theriogenologists and those who study poisons in order to protect people from potential exposures. Nutritionists working with veterinary animals to create nutritional plans and assist veterinarians in diagnosing illnesses in animals, whereas veterinary Ophthalmologists treat and diagnose eye diseases that are not within the scope of normal practice of veterinary medicine.
Surgery
There is an inextricable link between the physical and the behavioral aspects of the pet. Veterinarians often resort to surgery to help bridge this gap and relieve discomfort, ease stress for pets, treat problematic behaviors that could cause harm or affect the quality of life, and more.
For instance an instance, when a puppy Golden Retriever named Penny went to the vet to have her annual exam her vet detected a murmur in her heart. He advised that she be referred a veterinarian cardiologist or a specialist veterinary surgeon who specializes in the heart. The doctor assessed Penny and performed an ultrasound to determine her heart health. It was a birth defect that required corrective surgery.
In the end, he was able to perform the needed operation for Penny and she returned to her normal life with minimal complications. Surgical procedures can be extremely complex and require extensive training equipment, facilities and equipment to successfully carry out. This is the reason why primary care veterinarians and emergency room vets will often refer their clients to a specialist veterinarian.
Only those who are Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons have completed rigorous postgraduate studies that includes an internship as well as a 3-year residency, and completed a rigorous board certification examination. This means they have a deep understanding of the specialties of surgery and medicine, and are able to provide the highest quality of care to their patients.
Upstate Veterinary Specialties is a pioneer in spinal surgery and brain surgeries for dogs, cats and small animals. They also work closely with specialists in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Oncology, Neurology, Diagnostic Imaging and Critical Care to provide the best possible outcome for your pet. It is crucial to keep in mind that any procedure can carry risks and requires follow-up treatment from your veterinarian.
Internal Medicine
Veterinarians who specialize in internal medicine are specialists in diagnosing and treating diseases that affect the internal organ systems of your pet. This includes the digestive system, liver, kidneys and lungs. These doctors are educated on how these systems interact and how to treat the root cause of disease. Internists have a great deal of competence in evaluating and interpreting laboratory tests, bloodwork, and imaging modalities.
If you are experiencing issues in your pet's gastrointestinal tract, kidneys or liver or if the standard tests for diagnosing the problem aren't providing answers the primary vet will recommend you to a veterinary specialist. Specialists are also sought out when chronic illnesses such as Cushing's disease, diabetes, Addison or thyroid issues become more complex. These conditions typically require constant monitoring and frequent evaluation with advanced tools, such as cardiac ultrasound to treat.
pet and home care will prescribe latest therapies to treat your pet's illness and improve its quality of life. They will also work with other specialists to maintain your pet's health and wellbeing over the long term.
Radiology
Radiation can be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy and/or surgery to treat many types of cancer. The goal is to destroy the cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation is generally well tolerated by pets. It may cause some short-term side effects, depending on the type of tumor and the location.
If your pet is diagnosed with cancer, he or she will be referred to an specialist known as a veterinary oncologist. Oncologists have advanced training in the use of various diagnostic methods and techniques that allow us to see inside the body of animals using ultrasound, x-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and many more.
A vet oncologist is an expert in the use of chemotherapy and radiation as well as other treatments that are systemic for cancer and tumor eradication. This includes a variety of drugs used to destroy cancerous cells, stop their growth, and aid the body to naturally remove them. A veterinarian oncologist might also suggest the use of a pet's own immune system to fight cancer through vaccinations.
Specialists in veterinary oncology collaborate with radiation oncologists to develop treatment plans for patients with various types of cancers. Their experience and expertise as well as the specialized tools allow them to provide best treatment for the animals in their care.
Radiation oncologists are experts in using machines that deliver high-energy radiation directly to the tumor site of a pet. They are experts in the development of strategies to maximize the effects of radiation without damaging normal tissue. They are also highly trained in the set up and delivery of radiation treatment sessions, including stereotactic radiosurgery/stereotactic radiation therapy (SRS/SRT). In pet care products , computers are used to deliver doses of radiation to precisely placed points on your pet's body over the course of several weeks.
Emergency Critical Care
Like the name suggests this field of veterinary medicine focuses on pets who have serious or life-threatening diseases. These are often patients that suffer from serious injuries or accidents that require constant monitoring and treatment to ensure they have the best chance at survival.
The majority of these pets are in hospitals in a special part of the animal hospital, similar to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and are monitored around the clock by nurses, doctors, and other specialists. They could be recovering from an injury or surgery, or they may be suffering from respiratory problems, gastrointestinal issues, severe heart disease, or even cancer.
These cases are very complex and require specialized training. They have a high level of broad interdisciplinary expertise which allows them to work with specialists from other fields to treat patients with multiple co-morbidities in different organ systems. They have also vast experience in treating trauma, cardiac management as well as cardiovascular collapse, ventilatory support, gastrointestinal and kidney support as well as specialized pain control plans.
Veterinarians who have board certification in emergency and critical medicine have been through extensive training, which included working in large hospitals for teaching and referral. They can provide intensive and emergency treatment at their own clinics as well. They also contribute to clinical research in their area.
If you're thinking of becoming a pet specialist it is important to ensure that you're a lover of animals and are comfortable with the speed of life. Consider volunteering at a veterinary clinic or shadowing vets to get a better understanding of different specialties. You can then decide if this is the path to follow for your career. You can also acquire the necessary background knowledge by taking a course in biology, zoology, or another field.