Looking Beyond Symptoms
Digestive problems can be frustrating for both pets and their families.
Recurring vomiting, diarrhea, poor appetite, weight loss, or food intolerance may indicate an underlying condition requiring a more comprehensive evaluation.
At Fort Lauderdale Veterinary Center, we focus on identifying underlying causes, restoring gastrointestinal health, and developing individualized treatment strategies designed to improve comfort, function, and quality of life.
Conditions We Evaluate
- Chronic vomiting
- Chronic diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Appetite changes
- Food intolerance
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Chronic enteropathy
- Protein-losing enteropathy
- Pancreatitis
- Dysbiosis
- Chronic gastritis
- Hepatobiliary disease
- Gallbladder disorders
Our Diagnostic Approach
Our objective is not simply to control symptoms, but to understand the factors contributing to gastrointestinal dysfunction.
Evaluation may include:
Medical History
Dietary history
Previous therapies
Medication review
Lifestyle assessment
Physical Examination
Body condition assessment
Muscle condition scoring
Hydration evaluation
Abdominal palpation
Laboratory Testing
Bloodwork
Urinalysis
Fecal analysis
GI-specific biomarkers
Pancreatic testing
Vitamin assessment
Diagnostic Ultrasound
Ultrasound offers detailed evaluation of:
- Intestinal wall architecture
- Mesenteric lymph nodes
- Pancreas
- Liver
- Gallbladder
- Stomach
- Abdominal fluid
Microbiome Assessment
The intestinal microbiome plays an important role in digestive health, immune function, and chronic disease.
Evaluation of microbial balance may provide additional insight for selected patients experiencing persistent gastrointestinal signs.
Dysbiosis
Dysbiosis refers to an imbalance within the intestinal microbial community.
Alterations in the microbiome have been associated with:
- Chronic diarrhea
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Chronic enteropathy
- Antibiotic-responsive disease
- Food-responsive disease
- Immune dysregulation
Understanding these changes can help guide therapeutic decisions and support a more personalized approach to care.
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT)
For selected patients, fecal microbiota transplantation may be considered as part of a comprehensive treatment strategy.
FMT seeks to restore microbial diversity by introducing beneficial microorganisms from carefully screened donor material.
Potential applications may include:
- Chronic enteropathy
- Refractory dysbiosis
- Persistent gastrointestinal disease
- Recurrent diarrhea
- Microbiome restoration following antibiotic therapy
As veterinary medicine continues to evolve, microbiome-directed therapies represent an exciting area of investigation and clinical application.
Our goal is to evaluate each patient individually and determine whether these therapies may be appropriate within a broader treatment plan.
Nutrition as Therapy
Nutrition often plays a central role in managing chronic gastrointestinal disease.
Recommendations may include:
- Novel protein diets
- Hydrolyzed diets
- Highly digestible diets
- Therapeutic nutrition plans
- Nutritional supplementation
- Individualized feeding strategies
Long-Term Management
Many gastrointestinal disorders require ongoing monitoring rather than episodic treatment.
At FLVC, chronic disease management means developing lasting partnerships with families and adapting recommendations as needs evolve over time.
Our emphasis remains on:
- Comfort
- Stability
- Nutritional health
- Quality of life
- Longevity
Our Philosophy
Chronic disease management extends beyond symptom control.
It is about understanding the individual patient, supporting families through complex medical decisions, and integrating evolving diagnostic and therapeutic options to help pets live healthier, more comfortable lives.
Clear Answers. Longer, Healthier Lives.