INTERNAL MEDICINE: What is Internal Medicine

What is Internal Medicine?

The specialized area of veterinary medicine known as “Internal Medicine” is primarily dedicated to diseases of the internal systems of animals, but may on occasion involve the skin or eyes. 

Board Certified internal medicine specialists are trained to treat the most serious diseases and health problems that affect pets. They are also especially prepared to care for pets that may be facing multiple health problems.

Thanks to better health care, more and more pets are living longer lives. As a result, an increasing number of older pets, are coping with multiple disease states that can be very difficult to manage.

What Health Problems Does A Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialist Treat?

Medical problems typically handled by veterinary internists include:

What is a Board Certified Internist?

A Board Certified veterinary internal medicine specialist is a licensed veterinarian who has obtained intensive, additional training in understanding how your pet’s internal body systems function and in diagnosing and treating the many serious diseases that can affect the health of those systems.

After completing 4 years of college plus 4 years of veterinary school, a Board Certified Internist must complete an additional 3 to 6 years of advanced training, including a residency at a veterinary teaching hospital, an independent research study which is published in a peer reviewed journal, and a credentialing application process established by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.  The veterinarian seeking his/her specialization must pass multiple rigorous certifying examinations to obtain his/her Board Certification.