When a pet faces a complex, chronic, or severe health condition that goes beyond routine care, it may require the expertise of a board-certified veterinary internal medicine specialist. At Fairfield Animal Hospital, our internal medicine specialist plays a key role in diagnosing and managing some of the most challenging health issues affecting pets.

To Start, What Does “Board-Certified” Mean?

A board-certified veterinary internal medicine specialist is a veterinarian who has completed advanced training in diagnosing and treating diseases affecting internal systems. To become board-certified, an internist must complete:

Undergraduate education and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree

• A one-year internship followed by a 3-year residency in internal medicine

• Two rigorous examinations are required by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) or the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ECVIM)

• This specialized training ensures that board-certified internists have the expertise needed to manage complex, chronic, and severe conditions.

Veterinary internists specialize in diagnosing and treating complex diseases, especially those that impact the kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal system, endocrine system, and immune system. These specialists are trained to manage complex or chronic diseases that don’t respond to typical treatments. They utilize specialized in-house tools and procedures such as gastrointestinal endoscopy, bronchoscopy, colonoscopy, nasal aspergillosis therapy, and cystoscopy to pinpoint the root cause of illness with greater precision.

Additionally, when your pet needs ongoing care, an internal medicine specialist develops personalized treatment plans for managing chronic conditions like diabetes and can provide advanced care such as chemotherapy for cancer patients. Their expertise ensures that your pet receives comprehensive, long-term care that supports their health and quality of life.

What Conditions Do Internal Medicine Specialists Treat?

Veterinary internists handle a wide variety of serious conditions, including:

• Gastrointestinal Disorders such as chronic vomiting, diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and pancreatitis

• Endocrine Diseases such as diabetes, Cushing’s disease, Addison’s disease, hyper(para)thyroidism, and hypothyroidism

• Kidney and Urinary Conditions

• Liver and Pancreatic Diseases

• Immune System Disorders

• Respiratory Diseases, including chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, and certain complicated infections

Many of these conditions require ongoing management, and our team works closely with you to develop long-term treatment plans that improve your pet’s overall well-being.

At Fairfield, our internal medicine specialist is not only skilled in diagnosing and treating complex illnesses but also dedicated to helping you understand your pet’s condition and care options. We understand that managing your pet’s health challenges can be difficult, and our goal is to make the process as clear and manageable as possible.

At Fairfield Animal Hospital, we work closely with your primary care vet and rely on their referral to provide specialized internal medicine services. For more information, visit our referrals page.