Internal Medicine Specialists receive advanced training to diagnose and treat a multitude of medical conditions whether rare or complex. Patients with uncommon, chronic or difficult to manage medical conditions can greatly benefit from the care of a veterinary internist. Internal Medicine encompasses the disciplines of endocrinology, gastroenterology, hematology, immunology, infectious diseases, nephrology/urology and respiratory disease.
Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialists pursue advanced training and are board certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM). Internists receive additional training in advanced diagnostic techniques, laboratory testing, specialized equipment, technology implementation and sophisticated procedures.
Your pet may benefit from a referral to an internal medicine specialist for the following conditions:
- Anemia or other bleeding disorders
- Chronic vomiting or diarrhea
- Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite
- Complicated pancreatic disease
- Coughing or other respiratory problems
- Endocrine diseases (including diabetes, Cushing’s disease, thyroid problems)
- Liver disease
- Kidney or Bladder conditions
- Valley Fever
- Infectious diseases (including bacterial, fungal and tick-borne diseases)
When should you request a referral to a Board Certified Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialist?
- Your pet’s condition is uncommon, complicated or remains undiagnosed after standard testing.
- You would like an informed, neutral second opinion about your pet’s medical condition.
- The progress of the current treatment is not going well or as expected or hoped.
- Your pet requires a sophisticated procedure that is only available at a specialty hospital.