WHAT CAN BE TREATED AT A VETERINARY HOSPITAL?

Many people are surprised by the range of medical, surgical and diagnostic services that modern veterinary hospitals can provide.

A common misconception is that local veterinary hospitals mainly provide vaccinations, basic consultations or routine procedures. In reality, modern veterinary hospitals manage a wide variety of illnesses, injuries and surgical conditions every day.

At Bankstown Veterinary Hospital, we provide comprehensive veterinary care for dogs and cats across many areas of medicine and surgery. While some highly specialised or critical cases may require referral to specialist or emergency centres, many conditions can be diagnosed, treated and managed within a general practice veterinary hospital.

This page provides examples of some of the many conditions and procedures commonly treated in veterinary hospitals.

MEDICAL CONDITIONS

Veterinary hospitals diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions affecting pets of all ages.

Some conditions are simple and short-term, while others require ongoing monitoring and long-term management.

GASTROENTERITIS

Gastroenteritis refers to inflammation of the stomach and intestines and is one of the most common reasons pets visit the vet.

Symptoms may include:

  • Vomiting

  • Diarrhoea

  • Reduced appetite

  • Lethargy

  • Abdominal discomfort

  • Dehydration

Causes can range from dietary indiscretion and infections through to pancreatitis, toxin exposure or more serious disease.

Treatment may involve:

  • Physical examination

  • Blood testing

  • Intravenous fluids

  • Medications

  • Dietary management

  • Hospitalisation in more severe cases

Some patients recover quickly, while others require more intensive treatment and monitoring.

SKIN DISEASE

Skin and ear problems are among the most commonly treated conditions in veterinary medicine.

Common symptoms include:

  • Itching

  • Redness

  • Hair loss

  • Licking or chewing

  • Rashes

  • Recurrent infections

Skin disease may be caused by:

  • Allergies

  • Fleas or parasites

  • Infections

  • Hormonal disease

  • Food sensitivities

  • Environmental triggers

Some skin conditions are straightforward, while others may require ongoing investigation and long-term management.

Diagnostic testing may include:

  • Skin cytology

  • Microscopic examination

  • Allergy investigations

  • Blood testing

Treatment plans are tailored to the individual patient and may include medications, dietary changes or ongoing preventive care.

EAR INFECTIONS

Ear disease is another very common condition seen in dogs and cats.

Symptoms may include:

  • Head shaking

  • Scratching at ears

  • Redness

  • Smell or discharge

  • Pain

  • Recurrent infections

Ear infections may occur secondary to allergies, moisture, ear conformation, parasites or underlying skin disease.

Veterinarians often examine ear samples microscopically to determine the type of infection and appropriate treatment.

Chronic ear disease may require ongoing management.

DIABETES

Diabetes is a common hormonal disease in both dogs and cats.

Symptoms may include:

  • Increased thirst

  • Increased urination

  • Weight loss

  • Increased appetite

  • Lethargy

Managing diabetes often involves:

  • Blood testing

  • Urine testing

  • Insulin therapy

  • Dietary management

  • Regular monitoring

Many diabetic pets can live happy and stable lives with appropriate treatment and monitoring.

ARTHRITIS

Arthritis and degenerative joint disease are especially common in older pets.

Signs may include:

  • Difficulty getting up

  • Slowing down on walks

  • Reluctance to jump

  • Stiffness

  • Reduced activity

Modern arthritis management often involves a multimodal approach including:

  • Pain relief medications

  • Weight management

  • Joint supplements

  • Mobility support

  • Lifestyle modifications

Arthritis cannot usually be cured, but many pets experience significant improvement in comfort and quality of life with treatment.

HEART DISEASE

Veterinary hospitals commonly diagnose and manage many forms of heart disease.

Some conditions may first be detected during routine examinations when a heart murmur or abnormal rhythm is identified.

Signs of heart disease may include:

  • Coughing

  • Exercise intolerance

  • Increased breathing effort

  • Collapse

  • Reduced energy levels

Diagnosis may involve:

  • Physical examination

  • Chest X-rays

  • Blood pressure measurement

  • Ultrasound (echocardiography)

  • Blood testing

Some cardiac conditions can be managed successfully for extended periods with medication and monitoring.

KIDNEY DISEASE

Kidney disease is particularly common in older cats and senior dogs.

Symptoms may include:

  • Increased thirst

  • Increased urination

  • Weight loss

  • Reduced appetite

  • Vomiting

  • Lethargy

Diagnosis often involves:

  • Blood testing

  • Urine testing

  • Blood pressure measurement

  • Ultrasound or imaging

Treatment may include:

  • Prescription diets

  • Fluid therapy

  • Medications

  • Ongoing monitoring

Early detection can often help improve long-term management and quality of life.

SURGICAL PROCEDURES

Modern veterinary hospitals routinely perform a wide range of surgical procedures.

Patients undergoing surgery receive careful preparation, anaesthesia, monitoring, pain management and post-operative care.

DESEXING

Desexing is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in veterinary hospitals.

Desexing may help:

  • Prevent unwanted litters

  • Reduce some reproductive diseases

  • Reduce certain behavioural issues

  • Lower the risk of some cancers and infections

Your veterinarian can discuss the most appropriate timing and considerations for your pet.

LUMP REMOVALS

Lumps and skin masses are very common, particularly in older pets.

While some lumps are harmless, others may require investigation or removal.

Veterinarians may recommend:

  • Needle sampling

  • Cytology

  • Surgical removal

  • Laboratory analysis (histopathology)

Early assessment of new lumps is important, as some cancers are easier to manage when detected earlier.

WOUND REPAIR

Veterinary hospitals commonly treat:

  • Bite wounds

  • Lacerations

  • Abscesses

  • Traumatic injuries

Treatment may involve:

  • Sedation or anaesthesia

  • Cleaning and flushing wounds

  • Suturing

  • Drain placement

  • Pain relief

  • Antibiotics

  • Ongoing bandage care

Some wounds require surgery or hospitalisation depending on severity.

FOREIGN BODY SURGERY

Pets, particularly dogs, sometimes swallow objects that become lodged within the stomach or intestines.

Common examples include:

  • Toys

  • Balls

  • Socks

  • Bones

  • Corn cobs

  • Clothing

  • String-like material

Symptoms may include:

  • Vomiting

  • Reduced appetite

  • Abdominal pain

  • Lethargy

Foreign bodies can become life-threatening if left untreated.

Diagnosis may involve:

  • X-rays

  • Ultrasound

  • Blood testing

Some cases require emergency surgery to remove the obstruction.

BLADDER SURGERY

Veterinary hospitals may perform bladder surgery for conditions such as:

  • Bladder stones

  • Urinary obstruction

  • Bladder masses

  • Trauma

Urinary conditions can quickly become serious, particularly in male cats with urinary blockages.

Symptoms requiring urgent veterinary attention may include:

  • Straining to urinate

  • Frequent attempts to urinate

  • Blood in urine

  • Crying or discomfort

  • Inability to pass urine

EMERGENCY SURGERY

General practice veterinary hospitals often manage urgent or emergency surgical conditions.

Examples may include:

  • Wounds and trauma

  • Pyometra (uterine infection)

  • Gastrointestinal foreign bodies

  • Bleeding masses

  • Bladder obstruction

  • Caesarean sections

Some complex or critical cases may require referral to emergency or specialist hospitals depending on the individual situation.

DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

Diagnostic testing is an important part of modern veterinary medicine.

Because pets cannot explain how they are feeling, veterinarians often rely on diagnostic tools to identify illness and guide treatment decisions.

BLOOD TESTING

Blood tests provide valuable information about your pet’s internal health.

Blood testing may help assess:

  • Kidney function

  • Liver function

  • Infection or inflammation

  • Diabetes

  • Anaemia

  • Electrolyte balance

  • Hormonal disease

Blood tests are commonly used for both diagnosis and ongoing monitoring of medical conditions.

URINE TESTING

Urine testing may help diagnose:

  • Urinary tract infections

  • Diabetes

  • Kidney disease

  • Bladder stones

  • Urinary crystals

Urine analysis often complements blood testing and other diagnostic procedures.

X-RAYS (RADIOGRAPHY)

X-rays allow veterinarians to examine structures inside the body.

X-rays may be used to assess:

  • Bones and joints

  • Fractures

  • Arthritis

  • Heart size

  • Lung disease

  • Gastrointestinal problems

  • Foreign objects

  • Bladder stones

Radiography is one of the most commonly used diagnostic imaging tools in veterinary medicine.

ULTRASOUND

Ultrasound uses sound waves to create real-time images of internal organs and soft tissues.

Ultrasound may assist in diagnosing:

  • Liver disease

  • Kidney disease

  • Bladder problems

  • Pregnancy

  • Abdominal masses

  • Fluid accumulation

  • Gastrointestinal disease

Ultrasound is particularly useful for assessing soft tissue structures that cannot be fully evaluated on X-rays alone.

WHEN IS REFERRAL RECOMMENDED?

While veterinary hospitals can manage a wide range of conditions, some pets may benefit from referral to specialist or emergency centres.

Referral may be recommended for:

  • Advanced imaging such as CT or MRI

  • Specialist surgery

  • Complex internal medicine cases

  • Neurology

  • Oncology

  • Intensive 24-hour monitoring

Referral does not mean your regular veterinary hospital can no longer help. In many cases, care is shared between the specialist hospital and your regular veterinarian.

COMPREHENSIVE CARE CLOSE TO HOME

Modern veterinary hospitals provide far more than many people realise.

From routine preventive care through to diagnostics, surgery, hospitalisation and long-term disease management, veterinary hospitals play an important role in supporting pets throughout all stages of life.

If you are unsure whether your pet’s condition can be assessed or treated, our team is always happy to discuss your concerns and help guide you toward the most appropriate care.