Internal Medicine

Need a referral to Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital?

Our Internal Medicine Services

We take great pride in offering exceptional veterinary internal medicine services to cat and dog owners, as well as primary care veterinarians, in the Bellingham area and beyond, all the way to Seattle. From complex cases of gastrointestinal disorders, kidney disease, and various infectious diseases to challenging cases of liver disease, heart conditions, and hematological disorders, our veterinarian is equipped with the knowledge and advanced diagnostic tools necessary to provide comprehensive and advanced treatments to your pet. Trust us to be there for you and your pets, because moments matter, and we strive to make each one count.

Diagnostic Evaluation and Treatment Procedures Offered for Pets:

Comprehensive physical examinations
Advanced laboratory testing of various tissue and blood samples
Diagnostic imaging using ultrasound and radiographs
Endoscopy with high-resolution video for upper GI (Gastroduodenoscopy), lower GI (Colonoscopy)
Foreign body retrieval
Biopsies of masses and internal organs
Bone marrow aspirates and biopsies
Placement of feeding tubes including E-tubes, PEG tubes, and J-PEG tubes
Nutritional consultations
Feeding tube placements
Stricture dilation

Common Cat & Dog Conditions Treated:

Endocrine Diseases (Medical conditions that affect hormone production and regulation in the body):

Diabetes Mellitus
- A condition where your pet’s body doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it properly.
Cushing’s Disease
- A disorder characterized by excessive production of cortisol, a hormone that helps with stress and energy, in your pet’s body.
Addison’s Disease
- A condition where your pet’s body fails to produce enough cortisol.
Hyperthyroidism
- An overactive thyroid condition where your pet’s thyroid gland produces too much hormone.
Hypothyroidism
- A condition where the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormone.
Hyperparathyroidism
- A disorder in which the parathyroid glands produce too much hormone, resulting in elevated calcium levels in the blood.
Hypoparathyroidism
- A condition where the parathyroid glands don’t produce enough hormone, leading to low calcium levels.
Hypoglycemia
- A condition characterized by low blood sugar levels.

Gastrointestinal Diseases (Disorders that affect the digestive system):

Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- A condition causing chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.
Chronic Vomiting or Diarrhea
- Ongoing vomiting or diarrhea that can indicate an underlying health issue affecting your pet’s digestive system.
Esophageal and Gastric Foreign Bodies
- The presence of objects (like toys or food) in the esophagus or stomach.
Gastrointestinal Neoplasia
- The formation of tumors in the gastrointestinal tract.
Pancreatitis
- Inflammation of the pancreas.
Renal and Urogenital Diseases: A group of conditions affecting the kidneys and urinary system.
- Acute and Chronic Kidney Disease – Conditions that impair kidney function.
- Urinary Incontinence or Obstruction – Loss of bladder control or blockages in the urinary tract.
- Urinary Tract Infections – Infections in the urinary system.
- Glomerulonephritis – Inflammation of the kidney’s filtering units (glomeruli).

Hepatic and Biliary Diseases (A range of conditions affecting the liver and gallbladder):

Lipidosis
- A condition where there is an abnormal buildup of fat in liver cells.
Acute Hepatitis/Hepatocellular Necrosis
- This condition involves inflammation of the liver that can result in the death of liver cells.
Cholangiohepatitis
- Is the inflammation of both the bile ducts and liver, typically associated with bacterial infections.
Biliary Obstruction
- A blockage in the bile ducts that prevents bile from flowing properly.
Hepatic Encephalopathy
- A condition where toxins build up in the bloodstream due to liver dysfunction.
Chronic Active Hepatitis
- Refers to long-term inflammation of the liver.
Polyarthritis
- Is the inflammation of multiple joints.
Immune-Mediated and Hematologic Diseases: This group of conditions involves the immune system mistakenly attacking the body’s own blood cells.
- Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA) – The immune system destroys red blood cells.
- Immune-Mediated Thrombocytopenia (ITP) – The immune system attacks and destroys platelets.
- Evan’s Syndrome – A rare condition that combines both IMHA and ITP, where the body’s immune system targets red blood cells and platelets simultaneously.

Infectious Diseases (Illnesses caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites):

Ehrlichiosis
- A disease caused by bacteria transmitted through tick bites.
Lyme Disease
- Another illness that comes from tick bites and can affect both dogs and cats.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
- A viral disease that affects cats and is caused by a mutated form of the feline coronavirus.
Fungal Infections
- These infections can affect your pet’s skin, lungs, or other organs. Common types of fungal infections include ringworm and blastomycosis.
Leptospirosis
- A bacterial infection that pets can get from contaminated water or soil

Cardiovascular Diseases (A range of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels):

Congestive Heart Failure
- When your pet’s heart isn’t pumping enough blood as effectively as it should.
Pericardial Effusion
- This occurs when fluid builds up around your pet’s heart, making it harder for the heart to work properly.
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
- This can put extra stress on your pet’s heart, kidneys, and other organs.
Pleural Effusion
- A condition where fluid gathers around the lungs.

Respiratory Diseases (Conditions that affect the respiratory system, including the nasal passages, throat, lungs, and airways):

Rhinitis
- Inflammation of the lining inside your pet’s nose.
Nasopharyngeal Polyps
- Non-cancerous growths in the back of your pet’s throat or nasal area.
Bronchitis
- Inflammation of the airways in your pet’s lungs.
Pneumonia
- A lung infection that causes inflammation.
Asthma
- A condition where your pet’s airways narrow.

Other Conditions:

Refractory Diabetes
- Diabetes that is difficult to manage with standard treatment, and your pet has persistent high blood sugar or glycosuria (a condition where there is more glucose than normal in the urine).
Blood Disorders
- A range of conditions that affect your pet’s blood cells.
Infections
- Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections that can affect various parts of your pet’s body.
Digestive Tract Problems
- Issues affecting your pet’s stomach or intestines.
Hormone/Endocrine or Immune Disorders
- Conditions that impact your pet’s hormone balance or immune system (i.e. thyroid disease or autoimmune issues).
Diseases of the kidney, liver, gallbladder, lungs, urinary or reproductive tracts
- Various conditions affecting these organs that can impact your pet’s overall health.

Before you arrive:

#1 - Admit Forms

Don’t forget to fill out your admit forms prior to arriving

#2a - Medical History - Initial Form

Help our team prepare for your pet’s arrival by providing a brief medical history prior to check-in.

#2b - Medical History - Recheck Form

Help our team prepare for your pet’s arrival by providing a brief medical history prior to check-in.

Our Internal Medicine Specialist

Dr. Moria Borys

DVM, MS, DACVIM

Board-Certified Internist

4176 Meridian Street

(360) 758-2200