Internal medicine is practiced by internists, or doctors that specialize in the treatment, diagnosis and prevention of most diseases that are not surgical in nature. Thus, as in human medicine, internists can be called a "doctor's doctor" due to the fact that they tend to specialize in patients with conditions that are more difficult to treat and/or diagnose. Internists are also often trained to use advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures that may not be available at regular veterinarians. These include rhinoscopy, bronchoscopy, gastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy, vaginoscopy, cystoscopy; thoracic and abdominal ultrasounds, computed tomography (CT or CAT) scans, stent placement and management including tracheal stents, urethral and uretheral stents, cystoscopic-guided removal of bladder stones, respiratory testing, blood and infectious disease workups, feeding tube placement, obtaining biopsies and cytology samples of many tissues, joint taps, bone marrow aspiration and core biopsy, CSF taps, and many more advanced laboratory testing.
The Role of an Internal Medicine Specialist
Your pet's condition may be more complicated than your regular veterinarian feels comfortable diagnosing and treating. Furthermore, your pet may have multiple underlying conditions that have conflicting treatments. This kind of patient will benefit from a consultation with an internist.
From animals that don't seem to be able to stop having accidents in the house to animals with severe heart disease that are oxygen dependent, and internist has the experience and knowledge necessary to deliver the absolute best care available. Some of the advanced diagnostics available can change a situation from one where we don't know what is causing a dog to stop eating and act tired to having the information we need to begin immediate treatment for a speedy and full recovery.
An internist is NOT a replacement for your regular veterinarian, but a power complement that works closely with your pet's family doctor to ensure that they receive the absolute best medical care that is available today.
VCA Highlands Ranch Animal Specialty & Emergency Center's department of internal medicine is lead by Dr. Steffen Sum. His focus includes extensive work and ongoing training in urology, diagnostic services, hemodialysis, infectious disease, advanced imaging and endoscopy.
Be sure to bring any relevant medical records or information to your first appointment. Ask your veterinarian for copies of any relevant medical tests, imaging studies, x-rays, or laboratory panels.
Remember, you also can do your part to maximize your pet's recovery by keeping your pet's traveling medical records organized and by strictly adhering to the recommendations of your veterinary team for the scheduling of follow up appointments, etc. At every appointment, be sure to write down any important recommendations, or ask the veterinarian or a staff member to write them down for you.
