Internal Medicine
Board certified specialists in veterinary internal medicine are trained to treat the most serious diseases and health problems that affect pets. In addition, they are trained in the treatment of pets that suffer from multiple health issues. With recent advances in veterinary care, more pets are coping with multiple disease states that were previously difficult to manage. For example, a cat with diabetes may also be suffering from kidney failure, or a dog in heart failure may also be diagnosed with cancer. Internal medicine specialists are uniquely prepared to oversee the care of these complicated cases. Specialty accreditation is granted by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
A general practice veterinarian may simply consult with a BrightHeart specialist about a pet’s care, or it may be necessary to actually refer the pet for more advanced diagnostics and treatment, since veterinary internists at BrightHeart hospitals may have access to specialized diagnostic or treatment tools that a general practice veterinarian may not have.
Diseases that often require the expertise of a specialist in internal medicine:
- Cancer
- Heart Disease
- Gastrointestinal Diseases
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Immune Related Disorders
- Kidney Dysfunction