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Dr. Matt Vaughan | DACVIM Internal Medicine

Internal Medicine

The expertise of our board-certified veterinary internists is focused on the function, diagnosis, pathology, and treatment of internal body systems. We specialize in patients with multiple disease processes, as well as autoimmune, chronic, or difficult-to-diagnose diseases. Working with your family veterinarian, we will develop a treatment plan that is best for you and your pet.

canine internal medicine Bend
canine internal medicine Bend
Dr. Matt Vaughan | DACVIM

Internal Medicine

The expertise of our board-certified veterinary internists is focused on the function, diagnosis, pathology, and treatment of internal body systems. We specialize in patients with multiple disease processes, as well as autoimmune, chronic, or difficult-to-diagnose diseases. Working with your family veterinarian, we will develop a treatment plan that is best for you and your pet.

Common Diseases We Address

Diabetes

Diabetes affects both cats and dogs. It is caused by either a lack of insulin (Type I Diabetes), or an inappropriate response to insulin (Type II Diabetes). Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas, which serves to carry glucose into blood cells. When insulin is not being produced or not being utilized correctly, blood sugar begins to rise. Elevated blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia), when left untreated, can be life threatening. Patients can become very ill if diabetes is left undiagnosed, or is poorly managed. Diabetes can be treated with insulin therapy, proper diet, and regular exercise. Regular blood glucose checks are important, to ensure your pet’s diabetes is being management properly.

Endoscopy

Endoscopy is an incredibly valuable diagnostic procedure used to examine a hollow organ or cavity of the body. An endoscope is a thin, flexible tube with a light and attached camera that can be inserted into the body. This allows for live visualization of body parts like the esophagus, stomach, colon, bladder, nose, or airways. Biopsies are often taken at the time of an endoscopic procedures through the use of other specialized instruments. An endoscopic procedure can also be used to retrieve foreign objects from the stomach, airways, or nose.

Immune-Mediated Hemolyitc Anemia

Anemia occurs when the number of blood cells circulating throughout the body falls below the normal level. It can range from mild to severe and can be fatal. There are many causes for anemia, one of which is IMHA. There are two types of IMHA: primary and secondary.

Primary IMHA occurs when your pet’s immune system mistakenly produces antibodies that attack its own red blood cells. This is the most common cause of IMHA in dogs.

Secondary IMHA is caused when the immune system is stimulated by another process and subsequently sees the red blood cell as a foreign object and destroys it. Secondary IMHA can be caused by cancer, infection, blood parasites, drug reactions, snake bites, exposure to certain chemicals or toxins, or allergic reactions. If your pet is diagnosed with IMHA, they may require a blood transfusion. With our 24-hour care, we are able to perform blood transfusions at any hour of the day.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

IBD is a gastrointestinal disease that causes inflammation in the stomach or intestines, typically marked by chronic vomiting and/or diarrhea. Many patients with IBD will also experience appetite changes and weight loss. Because the symptoms associated with IBD can be vague and correlate with a multitude of disease processes, accurately diagnosing and managing IBD can be difficult. Often times, the diagnosis involves blood work, abdominal ultrasound, endoscopy, and biopsies of the GI tract. This disease can be successfully managed with medications, dietary changes, and nutritional supplementation.

Common Diseases We Address

Bend canine cancer care

Cancer Therapy

Cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs over the age of 10. Although cancer is less common in cats than dogs, cats tend to be diagnosed with more aggressive forms. No one wants to be faced with a cancer diagnosis for their pet. If you find yourself faced with that reality, we are here to empower you, by educating you on all of your options and providing the best care possible.

Most treatment options for cancers aim to extend the life of your pet and make them as comfortable as possible, rather than cure the cancer. We offer chemotherapy treatments tailored specifically to your pet’s needs. Our internal medicine department may team up with the surgical department if surgery is an appropriate treatment for your pet’s cancer. We can also refer you for radiation treatment if you wish to pursue that route. Whatever treatment options you choose, we want you to feel supported and empowered to make the best decision for you and your pet.

Diabetes

Diabetes affects both cats and dogs. It is caused by either a lack of insulin (Type I Diabetes), or an inappropriate response to insulin (Type II Diabetes). Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas, which serves to carry glucose into blood cells. When insulin is not being produced or not being utilized correctly, blood sugar begins to rise. Elevated blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia), when left untreated, can be life threatening. Patients can become very ill if diabetes is left undiagnosed, or is poorly managed. Diabetes can be treated with insulin therapy, proper diet, and regular exercise. Regular blood glucose checks are important, to ensure your pet’s diabetes is being management properly.

Endoscopy

Endoscopy is an incredibly valuable diagnostic procedure used to examine a hollow organ or cavity of the body. An endoscope is a thin, flexible tube with a light and attached camera that can be inserted into the body. This allows for live visualization of body parts like the esophagus, stomach, colon, bladder, nose, or airways. Biopsies are often taken at the time of an endoscopic procedures through the use of other specialized instruments. An endoscopic procedure can also be used to retrieve foreign objects from the stomach, airways, or nose.

Immune-Mediated Hemolyitc Anemia

Anemia occurs when the number of blood cells circulating throughout the body falls below the normal level. It can range from mild to severe and can be fatal. There are many causes for anemia, one of which is IMHA. There are two types of IMHA: primary and secondary.

Primary IMHA occurs when your pet’s immune system mistakenly produces antibodies that attack its own red blood cells. This is the most common cause of IMHA in dogs.

Secondary IMHA is caused when the immune system is stimulated by another process and subsequently sees the red blood cell as a foreign object and destroys it. Secondary IMHA can be caused by cancer, infection, blood parasites, drug reactions, snake bites, exposure to certain chemicals or toxins, or allergic reactions. If your pet is diagnosed with IMHA, they may require a blood transfusion. With our 24-hour care, we are able to perform blood transfusions at any hour of the day.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

IBD is a gastrointestinal disease that causes inflammation in the stomach or intestines, typically marked by chronic vomiting and/or diarrhea. Many patients with IBD will also experience appetite changes and weight loss. Because the symptoms associated with IBD can be vague and correlate with a multitude of disease processes, accurately diagnosing and managing IBD can be difficult. Often times, the diagnosis involves blood work, abdominal ultrasound, endoscopy, and biopsies of the GI tract. This disease can be successfully managed with medications, dietary changes, and nutritional supplementation.

Other Diseases We Treat

• Esophageal, stomach and intestinal
• Liver and pancreatic
• Hormonal
• Infectious
• Lower urinary tract
• Kidney
• Nose, airway, and lung
• Immune Mediated
• Cardiovascular and blood
• Neurological
• Cancerous

Procedures We Offer

• Abdominal ultrasounds
• Chemotherapy
• Computed Tomography (CT) scanning
• Bone, bone marrow, and soft tissue biopsies
• Endoscopy
• Endoscopic foreign body retrieval
• Standard blood tests