What are the Benefits of Seeing a Small Animal Internal Medicine Specialist?
by Tara Ghormley, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM)
What is an internal medicine specialist?
An internal medicine specialist, or internist, is a veterinarian who has completed additional years of advanced training to diagnose and treat diseases inside the body. Unlike human medicine where an internist may also be a primary care doctor, veterinary internists do not provide routine care. Your primary care veterinarian may recommend an internal medicine specialist if your pet has a complex, life-threatening, or chronic condition.
Advanced Diagnostics
Internal medicine specialists have training and specialized equipment to diagnose your pet. These may include:
Abdominal ultrasound to obtain more information on internal organs.
Endoscopy which allows visualization and sampling of body systems including the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, and urinary tract.
CT scan creates 3-dimensional images that show more details than an x-ray.
Specialized tests on blood and tissue samples.
Treatments
Some of the conditions that internal medicine specialists treat include:
Diabetes and other metabolic diseases
Kidney problems
Liver disorders
Digestive issues
Infectious disease
Anemia and bleeding disorders
Benefits
Internists use the newest research to provide the best treatment for your pet. They are skilled in managing patients with multiple serious conditions. A veterinary internal medicine specialist will work closely with your regular veterinarian to provide the best care.
Originally Published October 31, 2024 - Vet Specialists | Direct Link