For Pet Owners

What is an internist?

An internist is a board-certified specialist in internal medicine. To be an internist, a veterinarian must pass internal medicine board examinations and author a peer-reviewed scientific publication after completing a qualified residency. Board-certification is awarded by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Internists are trained to have familiarity with unusual, uncommon, and complex diseases.

For what problems may a pet be referred to an internist?

Internal medicine is the branch of medicine that deals with diseases of the internal organs including the kidneys and urinary bladder, liver and gallbladder, lungs, nasal passages, GI tract, adrenal glands, pancreas, and bone marrow. Known problems with any of these organs or any symptoms that could be caused by disease of these organs are reasons for which a pet may be referred to an internist. Symptoms referable to diseases of these organs include vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, nasal discharge or bleeding, coughing and shortness of breath, increased or abnormal urination, and lethargy. The field of internal medicine includes both diagnostics and treatment. Testing that may be done includes ultrasound, labwork, endoscopy, biopsies, bone marrow evaluation, and advanced imaging such as CT scan and contrast radiography.

Which patients should be examined by an internist?

Your primary care veterinarian is your best resource in deciding when referral to a specialist is necessary. Referral to an internist may be recommended if a diagnosis has been elusive, if advanced diagnostics or treatments are needed, or if a patient’s response to treatment has been less than desirable.

What should I expect when my pet and I visit Specialty VetMed?

A review of medical records, labwork, radiographs, and medication history will be performed. Our internists then discuss the problems as they are seen at home. After physical examination is performed, recommendations will be made which may entail additional testing, treatments, or both. Often testing can be performed the same day but sometimes return visits are needed. Procedures are usually performed after scheduled appointments.

What should I bring to the appointment?

• Your pet
• The pet’s humans
• Medications or a detailed list of medications that includes the drug name, strength, frequency of admiistration, and amount administered per dose.

How do I make an appointment?

An appointment for your pet requires referral from your pet’s veterinarian. To make an appointment, call 360-339-7797.

Medication refills

Often refills can be obtained from your pet’s primary care veterinarian. To obtain a refill from us:

• To obtain a refill call or text us at 360-339-7797 or email us at InternalMedicine@OVS.vet. Be sure to mention how your pet is doing in general as well as how the requested medication has affected the problem for which it was prescribed and if any possible side-effects have been observed. For example, if the medication was prescribed to treat increased urination in Fluffy, then please tell us about Fluffy’s urine output.

• Because all medication refills require doctor approval which may necessitate review of the medical records, refills may not be immediately available. In order for the doctor to review your pet’s medical records and for the refill to be processed, please allow 48 hours.